NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
A cysteine derivative the body uses to make glutathione, its main intracellular antioxidant. Studied for respiratory, liver, and antioxidant support.
Educational only — not medical advice. BodEvo summarizes research cautiously and labels estimates as estimates. Talk to a physician or registered dietitian before starting any supplement, diet, or training program.
What the evidence says
Best evidence is in clinical settings (e.g., as a mucolytic and in acetaminophen overdose, which are medical uses). Evidence for general "antioxidant" supplementation in healthy lifters is limited and not a performance enhancer.
Typical dose & timing
Dose: Commonly 600–1,200 mg/day in studies; follow label and clinician guidance.
Timing: With or without food; consistency matters more than timing.
Role in a stack
Optional antioxidant/glutathione-support add-on, not a foundational performance supplement.
Redundancy check: Overlaps with other antioxidant supplements (glutathione, high-dose vitamin C/E); stacking many at once has diminishing evidence.
Cautions & safety
Can cause nausea or GI upset. May interact with nitroglycerin and some medications. Regulatory status as a supplement has shifted — check local availability.
Generally well tolerated at studied doses. Not a substitute for medical treatment. Talk to a clinician if you take medications or have a health condition.
Best for
antioxidant support · glutathione production · general health interest
Source-verified products
Real products in this category, ordered by review count. Each price and rating comes from the product's own page, recorded 2026-07-29 — follow the link for current values. Links go to the product's source page and never affect this ranking.
- NOW Foods, NAC With Selenium, 100 Capsules
NOW Foods · $13.46 · 4.8/5 (45614 ratings) · budget tier - Doctor's Best, NAC Detox Regulators, 60 Veggie Caps
Doctor's Best · $9.99 · 4.8/5 (31358 ratings) · budget tier - Life Extension, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, 600 mg, 60 Capsules
Life Extension · $12.00 · 4.8/5 (18085 ratings) · budget tier - California Gold Nutrition, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine with Molybdenum and Selenium, 120 Veggie Capsules
California Gold Nutrition · $16.97 · 4.8/5 (10666 ratings) · mid tier - Force Factor, Fundamentals, NAC, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, 600 mg, 200 Vegetable Capsules
Force Factor · $21.49 · 4.7/5 (7677 ratings) · mid tier - Natural Factors, NAC, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, 600 mg, 60 Vegetarian Capsules
Natural Factors · $11.17 · 4.8/5 (6180 ratings) · budget tier - Swanson Vitamins, NAC, 600 mg, 100 Vegan Capsules
Swanson Vitamins · $21.59 · 4.8/5 (4868 ratings) · premium tier - Protocol for Life Balance, NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine), 600 mg, 100 Veg Capsules
Protocol for Life Balance · $23.00 · 4.9/5 (2118 ratings) · premium tier - Best Naturals, NAC, 600 mg, 250 Capsules
Best Naturals · $24.55 · 4.7/5 (1607 ratings) · premium tier - N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
MaryRuth Organics · $19.95 · 4.6/5 (63 ratings) · mid tier - NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) (600 mg)
NutraBio · $19.99 · 5/5 (24 ratings) · mid tier - NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) Powder
NutraBio · $23.99 · 4.9/5 (21 ratings) · premium tier
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