NOW Supplements, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) 600 mg with Selenium, 250 Veg Capsules

*Overview* In a few words, I can say that this supplement is the closest supplement I've ever used to a miracle product. Why do I say that? As a precursor to glutathione (Coined “The Mother of All Antioxidants” by Mark Hyman, MD), NAC serves to help my body overcome environmental and dietary toxins. In brief, I no longer feel "sluggish" like I once did or experience hangovers (even from minimal alcohol) like I once did. Since taking 1200-1800mg/day (2-3 capsules) in September of 2015, this has become a (long-awaited) staple in my supplement drawer and boost to my overall health. I am never without this product. *Dosage* I take, like I said, 2-3 capsules a day. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. Second one around lunchtime. Third one middle of the afternoon or so. If I plan on going out for a few drinks in the evening, I take another one before heading out the door to spend time with friends. I rarely miss doses but if I do, it is not as if my whole system crashes or I feel I have become so dependent on it I cannot function or am worse off than when I started. *What does it do?* If you're interested in the breakdown of what exactly this product is meant to do, I would recommend your own research or read some of the other reviews. I merely want to offer my own experience. I have taken a variety of supplements since I was a teenager (15+ years) and never really felt that most products lived up the hype or could back up their claims. As a former smoker, I stumbled across this product while researching "What products help mitigate lung damage from smoking" and found this on a random forum buried somewhere in the text. That's where I first encountered the name NAC. I was skeptical and more than a little nervous about taking it but was somewhat assured when I read this is used in hospitals for acetaminophen overdoses so, if used by the medical community, maybe there was something to it? The effect was initially subtle. I was bursting with energy or bouncing off walls but found certain things that used to be VERY hard for me started to lift. A few examples. I found myself picking up the phone more often and calling a friend where before I felt a dark lining on life that made it harder to be myself. I found myself breathing easier and experiencing less sinus pressure (which makes sense as this thins out mucus) which was hugely helpful as I am allergic to most everything and experience an overload. It didn't take all allergy symptoms away, but my need for anti-allergy meds has decreased. In fact, I can't remember the last time I bought a bottle of allegra. I found myself able to better focus in class and while I still experience a certain level of brain fog from time to time, clarity of thought is more the norm for me than the exception. This has corresponded to a lifting of a sense of depression and darkness making it easier to be myself in social situations (and move past the worst parts of social anxiety). Last, but certainly not least, I process alcohol WAY faster. I can't explain the effect but, like most adults, I have a drink from time to time. Like some adults, I have nights where I have more than one drink from time to time. Unlike most adults after a night of drinking, I don't have concerns for how I'll feel the next day. I can feel the effect even at the bar where I remain lucid and focused while drinking as opposed to becoming...sloppy? In the last year I've woken up with a headache once as opposed to formerly experiencing a headache after 1 beer. So...it seems to be doing something... Like I said, I cannot recommend this product enough and continue to share my experience with everyone I encounter. While I continue to experiment with other supplements, adding or removing items for specific things, NAC remains a baseline of health for me and will not go without. No, my hair has not fallen out (as another reviewer mentioned they experienced). No, this product will not allow you to drink like a monster without effect at all. Qualifiers aside, this product might help you and would be worth considering if you've tried everything out there (like me) and want a good baseline for health to continue to build upon. Best of luck in your search for better health! *edited 10/06/16 for clarity.*

(read the update below if you don't want to know the background) I was prescribed accutane for 5 months and anyone who knows anything about accutane has probably heard about its numerous side effects. On about the fourth month into the treatment, I started having memory issues but didn't quite realize it was from the drug because it was a slow and gradual change over time. Once the fifth month rolled around, it was too late, and I started having severe memory and cognitive functioning problems. I was about halfway done with college holding a 4.0 GPA and then suddenly failed just about everything during the semester of that fifth month of accutane. I had to put school on hold until things got better. Month after month went by and I still didn't notice any improvement in memory. Feeling helpless, I started searching for answers on how long it takes to recover. Searched all over the internet and saw a number of different doctors that all told me there are no meds to help reduce the side effects, and it will simply take time but should be better after about 6 months. A year and a half later, and I still have memory problems.. I decided to then do my own research and dig deep into the study of my mental issues so that I can diagnose myself because after all, I know the way I feel better than a doctor who has never experienced such a thing. By the way, this was not easy having memory problems and having small moments of time when I could actually comprehend something I was reading. However, I eventually did it and after verifying my research with various credible sources, I feel I have a pretty good understanding about what happened to me. Anyway, long story short, accutane chemically altered my body and caused an intense hormonal imbalance. I also discovered that NAC is a major part of my solution. I bought a bottle, and the first time I had used NAC, within about 20 to 30 minutes later my body felt as though a war was going on inside. I felt warm and sort of tingly but nothing of any real discomfort. I think that's just how bad the imbalance apparently was. But before long, I was overwhelmed with happiness because FINALLY, I could think more clearly again. This is not the cure all, but my goodness it helps. Since I have started taking this, I have noticed a much faster increase in my mental recovery. The big problem I still face is the memory encoding, but there is no drug to regrow the neurons that were destroy while taking accutane. NAC helps prevent the radical hormones from destroying neurons. Mind you, this all seems to be VERY new research and is not entirely understood, which is why the doctors couldn't really give me good answers. In my opinion, this should be given with accutane to be taken together. I would also recommend this to anyone with a hormonal imbalance. School has become a nightmare ever since taking accutane but NAC is my go-to drug for when I start to not think clearly. It helps me think clearly throughout the day, but not necessarily with the encoding of memory. Anyway, If you are interested in knowing more about what I discovered, let me know. The one side effect I noticed from NAC is that it sort of neutralizes your libido levels (because it promotes balanced hormone levels), but as for me, I can care less so long as I can think more clearly. I hope this helps at least one person out there. Update: 13 Apr 2016 I won't go into all the research, but all of my research is found on either .gov medical websites (and I check their sources), and the studies I looked over were pulled from my school's scholarly sources library database. I now take N-AC with L-AC, omega-3's, multi vitamin, ginkgo extract, huperzine, vitamin D3, and magnesium citrate. As it turns out, people have done some of the work for me so I'm not buying all kinds of pills. I found a pill that combines the N-AC, L-AC, omega-3's, huperzine, ginkgo, along with a few others and works great. My advise to anyone considering taking accutane would be to take the natural route instead. Overall, my brain functions most efficiently when I get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise every early morning, and continue learning new things. Once you can include this routine in your life, supplements absorb much more efficiently into your body. Thus, giving more optimal results from them. Not the cure, but helps a ton.

This is the best brand!!! I have taken it for 10 years! It does what is supposed to do with no side effects! Great value!

I purchased this for my wife as another addition to the supplement routine she's using to help manage symptoms associated with PCOS. NOW Foods has generally been a brand we've had good experiences with over the years, so I felt comfortable giving this one a try. The capsules arrived fresh, the bottle was sealed properly, and everything looked exactly as expected. She's had no trouble taking the capsules, and they fit easily into her daily routine alongside her other supplements. It's still too early for us to comment on any long-term benefits, and since this is only one part of a broader routine, I can't honestly attribute any changes to this product by itself. For now, we're simply focused on giving it enough time to see how it fits into her overall plan. Overall, this has been a quality product from a brand we've come to trust, and based on our experience so far, I'd have no hesitation purchasing it again.

NOW Supplements, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) 600 mg with Selenium, 250 Veg Capsules seem to develop dark spots on the surface showing a localized yellow-orange crystalline or oily substance, with a central dark brown or black spot. This is not evenly distributed, suggesting a localized reaction or contamination. The rest of the capsule appears intact and dry. This suggests oxidation of NAC or sulfur compound leakage, most likely due to a breach or micro-crack in the capsule shell, internal moisture exposure that initiated oxidation, or decomposition of NAC forming sulfur- or selenium-containing degradation products (brown/black). The color change around the site implies chemical migration — not mold, but chemical breakdown. The 2nd picture definitely shows a crystalline structure: Likely oxidized NAC, which can recrystallize when exposed to humidity or heat. Dark central burn-like core is not fungal (no mycelial structure), but suggests concentrated degradation, possibly from a hotspot of oxidation from a breach in capsule integrity allowing air/moisture to interact with the active ingredient. It's a chemical breakdown, not biological growth. The bottle was kept closed, at room temperature in a kitchen cabinet, due to expire in 5/2028. NOW acknowledges that cosmetic changes like speckling may occur due to air exposure, and they consider this not harmful or quality-compromising, provided it’s minor and not accompanied by other signs of spoilage and the capsule is intact, and no strong odor or softening/leakage is present. My capsules have a distinct localized breakdown (yellow-orange material + blackened core) that goes beyond typical speckling — suggesting leakage, oxidation, or reaction. I think refrigerating the bottle with a desiccant packet would allow for a longer shelf life, and if true, NOW should probably say so on the bottle.

I take this to help with Hashimoto's and I honestly think it helps. I feel better when I take it.

If you try smoking marijuana while you're on a high dosage of this, you're not even gonna feel that high. It works perfectly for dulling that feeling of wanting to keep on smoking for me. And it's a tool that I use to help me quit. Think of it like naltrexone, but for weed. I will say it's not a one hundred percent cure. Like if you keep on smoking eventually you will get high. But from what I noticed, you're going to have to be smoking for a long time. It really just dulls the enjoyment of compulsive activities. Even if you like cranking the ham, you'll notice that it's not that fun Anymore. This is a really powerful tool for aiding in controlling what seems like certain pathological urges. Just to be clear, you can still get high on it. It's just not going to be all that fun, you're going to be sitting there, wondering, "are my drugs working?" For a couple to a few hours. Until it wears off. If you're really addicted, you'll start fighting the necessity to take the nac Don't do that. You want to dull whatever reward sensation smoking gives you and this helps do that. Also, this stuff is very protective of the liver, which is good. If you're like me and still can partake in drinking responsibly. And I don't use the word responsibly lightly.

This is a great supplement I have nerve damage from different health issues I started taking this doctor advices a month ago I feel stronger healthier my immune support has because much stronger and my digestive system has improved a lot this is so worth the value and great priced makes me a returning customer

Fantastic quality, the best

Ayuda a disminuir dolor inflamatorio general y pélvico

Product arrived on time and does the job. After a week I am already producing a lot less mucus all day.

Excelente producto segunda vez que lo compro

Happy as usual these work well for us. Understand delivery times are pretty quick. Thanks