If you or someone you love has suffered from allergies, you would understand the constant battle against the symptoms of hay fever, asthma and eczema and how exhausting this can be.
However, nature truly does provide us with some incredible herbs and nutrients to help reduce, and even eliminate, these symptoms, without the side effects that some of the over the counter pharmaceuticals exhibit (we won’t name any names – *wink*).
The product you’ve likely never considered is N-acetylcysteine, commonly shortened to NAC. While it may not be a household name in the context of allergies and often overlooked, NAC has shown promising potential in reducing allergic inflammation and associated hay fever, asthma and eczema symptoms. This nutrient does this by targeting oxidative stress and inhibiting eosinophil function (we’ll talk a little more about this in a moment).
So, without further ado, let’s chat more about NAC and how it may be a beneficial nutrient for helping reduce to reduce your seasonal allergies as we move into spring!
Oxidative Stress in Allergic Inflammation
Oxidative stress is a term used to describe the imbalance between the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s antioxidant defence system. It is this imbalance which has been recognised as an important factor in the pathogenesis of inflammation in allergic conditions. Allergens and environmental triggers can induce the release of ROS, leading to cellular damage, immune dysregulation and the activation of inflammatory pathways.
We mentioned eosinophils before, so… what are they?
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses, particularly allergic reactions due to their potent pro-inflammatory properties. They produce and release a variety of substances including cytokines, chemokines and ROS which contribute to tissue damage and exacerbate the inflammatory response.
So where does NAC come in?
Recent research has shed light on the potential of NAC to inhibit/prevent human eosinophil function, including the release of inflammatory mediators and the production of ROS. By targeting eosinophil activity, NAC may help suppress the inflammatory cascade that leads to allergy symptoms. It works to inhibit eosinophil function and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators, helps to replenish cellular antioxidant defences and encourage the break down and clearance of thick mucous associated with allergic conditions.
Here at Nourish, we stock two incredible NAC brands, Tonika and HealthWise, both boasting dosages within the therapeutic range.
Overall, NAC can help support your body in dampening inflammation, immune system modulation, improving antioxidant status and in turn, minimising the effect of allergies on your day to day life.
As with all supplementation, studies have shown that NAC benefits are dose dependent and require consistency over a period of at least 3 months. We recommend consulting with your health professional before using NAC in your protocol.