It seems that the term antioxidant is becoming overused.  From sports drinks to caffeinated beverages, it seems that everything is claiming to provide antioxidant properties.

If you are looking for a potent antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine fits the bill.  Derived from the amino acid L-cysteine, N-acetyl cysteine enhances your body’s production of glutathione, your body’s main antioxidant.  

In research for heart disease, they have pinpointed a specific lipoprotein as one of the most reliable indicators for heart disease, actually more reliable than cholesterol levels.  Despite thousands of people being on prescription medication to lower their cholesterol levels, these drugs do not lower lipoprotein.  Instead, N-acetyl cysteine if the most effective nutrient known to lower lipoprotein.  In fact, one study found the N-acetyl cysteine reduced lipoprotein levels by 70%.

Another way N-acetyl cysteine’s antioxidant properties help protect the heart is by reducing plasma homocysteine levels.  High levels of homocysteine are a known risk factor for heart disease.

If you are concerned about your heart health or your family has a history of heart disease, talk to your doctor about the preventative benefits of N-acetyl cysteine.  N-acetyl cysteine supplements are available from your local health store or click here to purchase from Physician’s Preference. 

This entry was posted on Monday, June 25th, 2007 at 1:37 pm and is filed under Health & Wellness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.