- *MSRP:
$19.99- Our Price:
- $12.00
- Buy: at $12.00
- UPC: 733739001849
- # N0184
Product Overview & Quick Specs
Think of your cells like a busy city that requires waste management trucks to haul away toxic trash (free radicals). Daily life and airborne pollutants create oxidative waste that bogs down your tissues. NOW Foods NAC 1,000 mg delivers a concentrated, stable amino acid precursor (chemical formula: C5H9NO3S) that directly fuels your master internal detox system (glutathione production) and supports clear bronchial airways [1, 2].
Quick Specs Snapshot
- ✓ Active Form & Potency: Delivers a full 1,000 mg (1 g) of pure N-Acetyl Cysteine in every single vegetarian tablet.
- ✓ Primary Target: Cellular glutathione synthesis, liver detoxification pathways, and respiratory mucosal thinning [1, 3, 4].
- ✓ Supply & Value: 60 high-potency tablets per bottle, offering a convenient two-month supply of once-daily clinical-strength support.
- ✓ Purity & Dietary Status: Non-GMO, vegetarian and vegan formulation, free of wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, and nuts.
Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison
Why Form Matters: NAC 1,000 mg vs. Liposomal Glutathione vs. Big-Box Brands
Understanding how to elevate cellular defense starts with choosing the right metabolic entry point.
NAC Tablets vs. NOW Liposomal Glutathione: Think of Liposomal Glutathione like ordering pre-made furniture delivered right into your living room inside protective bubble wrap. It provides ready-to-use glutathione directly to the bloodstream. In contrast, think of NAC 1,000 mg like supplying raw timber directly to your cellular workshop. NAC readily crosses cell walls and signals your cells to build their own fresh glutathione on demand [1, 2]. In addition, oral NAC provides free sulfhydryl groups that directly dissolve dense mucus bonds in airways, a mechanical benefit pre-formed glutathione does not offer [4].
NOW Quality vs. Big-Box Commodity Brands: Bargain brands sold in supermarket aisles often source unchecked, low-grade raw materials. These budget alternatives are frequently contaminated with heavy metals or packed with artificial dyes. NOW Foods screens all incoming batches in-house, ensuring zero unlisted contaminants and verified 1,000 mg potency.
Is This Formula Right for You?
Best Choice For:
- ✓ Adults seeking high-potency liver support and cellular detoxification defense [1, 2].
- ✓ Those wanting clear bronchial airways and normal respiratory fluidity during changing seasons [3, 4].
- ✓ Busy shoppers who want an easy, once-daily 1,000 mg dose without measuring messy loose powders.
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗ You have difficulty swallowing larger solid tablets (a pure dissolvable powder or smaller capsule may suit you better).
- ✗ You take prescription nitroglycerin medications, which can interact with high-dose NAC.
- ✗ You prefer pre-formed antioxidants rather than precursors (NOW Liposomal Glutathione is the ideal companion).
How It Works in the Body
N-Acetyl Cysteine functions as a vital cellular regulator through two well-documented physiological actions.
1. Refilling Cellular Antioxidant Tanks (Glutathione Pathway)
Think of your cellular defenses like a fire extinguisher that runs out of pressure during a fire. That internal foam is glutathione, your primary protector against cellular wear and tear [1, 2]. Your liver manufactures glutathione from three specific amino acids: glutamate, glycine, and cysteine.
Cysteine is the rarest ingredient, creating a major manufacturing bottleneck. Regular dietary cysteine breaks down too fast during digestion. NAC solves this by adding an acetyl molecular shield (acetyl group) [1, 3]. This shield lets cysteine slip through cell membranes intact. Once inside, cells use it to replenish active glutathione stores, neutralizing free radicals and supporting normal liver filtration [1, 2].
2. Unraveling Sticky Secretions (Disulfide Bond Mucolysis)
Think of dense bronchial mucus like a tangled tangle of shoelaces tied with double knots (disulfide bonds). When mucus hardens, normal breathing feels thick and restricted [4].
NAC acts like molecular scissors. Its active sulfur arm (free sulfhydryl group) snips these tough chemical bonds apart [1, 4]. This process converts thick mucoproteins into free-flowing liquids. The result is clearer respiratory pathways and natural airway comfort [4].
Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines
Best Time to Take & Meal Pairing
Take 1 tablet daily with a full 8-ounce glass of pure water (chemical formula: H2O). For maximum uptake into circulation, swallow your tablet on an empty stomach about 30 minutes before eating [1, 3]. If you experience slight digestive sourness, take it with a light carbohydrate snack.
Daily Schedule: Morning vs. Evening
Morning is the optimal window to take NAC. Morning administration prepares your cellular defenses for oxidative stress encountered throughout the day [1, 2].
Smart Pairings & 2-Hour Spacing Rules
- ✓ Nutrient Synergies: Pair your daily NAC with Vitamin C and Selenium. These vital nutrients continuously recycle spent glutathione back into active service [1, 2].
- ✓ Hydration Boost: Keep daily water consumption high. Generous fluid intake helps NAC thin mucosal secretions throughout bronchial passages [4].
- ✗ The 2-Hour Rule: Maintain a 2-hour window between taking NAC and consuming mineral supplements (zinc, copper, iron) or prescription medications, preventing binding interactions.
What to Expect Over Time
Days 1–7: Initial cellular assimilation begins. Airway secretions loosen, supporting easy and natural breathing [4].
Weeks 3–4: Hepatic tissue stores saturate. Cells maintain robust glutathione levels against daily oxidative exposure [1, 2].
Months 2–3+: Long-term systemic cellular protection. Sustained liver metabolic performance and continuous bronchial airway resilience [1, 3].
Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients
Pill Format, Coating & Swallowability
Each tablet holds 1,000 mg of active NAC, making it a substantial, elongated tablet. To assist swallowing, NOW applies a specialized smooth vegetarian coating. This plant-based glaze activates instantly upon contact with water, helping the tablet glide effortlessly down the throat.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color Variation
Pure NAC possesses an earthy, naturally sulfurous scent resembling mineral hot springs. This aroma is authentic proof of active sulfur bonds at work. The tablet has a neutral taste thanks to its smooth plant coating. Natural color variation and slight speckling may appear across batches, which is normal.
Demystifying Every Inactive Excipient
- Microcrystalline Cellulose & Hydroxypropyl Cellulose: Natural plant-derived fibers that hold the tablet shape securely without artificial glues.
- Stearic Acid (Vegetable Source): A clean plant fatty acid that lubricates machinery during compression.
- Croscarmellose Sodium: A purified cellulose compound that helps the tablet break apart rapidly in stomach acid.
- Vegetarian Coating (Hypromellose, Stearic Acid, Sunflower Lecithin, Triethyl Citrate, Sunflower Oil): A non-animal film that protects the tablet from humidity and eases swallowing.
- Silicon Dioxide: A natural mineral compound that absorbs moisture and prevents powder clumping before pressing.
Proper Storage Guidance
Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Reseal the cap firmly after each use. Avoid humid medicine cabinets, as moisture accelerates natural sulfur oxidation.
Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards
Discount big-box brands frequently cut corners, skipping analytical batch testing. NOW Foods maintains extensive in-house ISO/IEC 17025-accredited analytical laboratories to verify every raw ingredient.
- ✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Screening: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry inspects materials for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic down to parts-per-billion levels.
- ✓ HPLC Molecular Fingerprinting: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography verifies exact chemical purity, ensuring every tablet provides 1,000 mg of active NAC.
- ✓ Microbial Contaminant Screening: Rigorous biological testing screens against Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold in every production lot.
- ✓ Eco-Conscious Packaging: Bottles are crafted from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin, reducing plastic waste and protecting raw materials.
Complete Supplement Facts Panel
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Servings Per Container: 60
| Description | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | 1 g (1,000 mg) | ** |
** Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Croscarmellose Sodium, Vegetarian Coating [hypromellose (cellulose), stearic acid (vegetable source), sunflower lecithin, triethyl citrate, sunflower oil] and Silicon Dioxide.
Allergen Declaration: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication (especially nitroglycerin), or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
Natural color variation may occur in this product. Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Family owned since 1968. This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.