Should I Be Taking a NAC Supplement For My PCOS

If you have PCOS, you may be wondering which supplements might be best to help you manage your PCOS symptoms. Let’s face it... there’s a lot of conflicting evidence out there, and it can be hard to tell which road you should go down!

Whether it be excess hair growth, trouble conceiving or difficulty maintaining weight, PCOS symptoms can feel impossible to manage, so trying different solutions is completely understandable. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of a supplement called NAC and how it may be able to help you in your PCOS journey.

What is NAC?

N-Acetylcysteine (or NAC for short) is a supplement form of cysteine, a type of antioxidant and building block of protein that may help support those with polycystic ovaries.

In people with PCOS, the body can sometimes have too many harmful molecules that can cause stress inside the body, which isn’t good for your health. This stress can lead to inflammation, making it harder for your body to respond to insulin (which helps control blood sugar), and disrupt how your ovaries work.

Not ideal, right?

That’s where NAC comes in.

NAC is one of many supplements that can be beneficial for people with PCOS. — **NAC & PCOS**
In PCOS, this stress can lead to lower levels of *cysteine* in the blood (1)*. Cysteine is found* in protein-rich foods, so incorporating **chicken, pork, beef, tuna,** as well as plant foods such as **lentils, oats and sunflower seeds into the diet can be beneficial to ensure adequate levels.** However, if you want to add to your diet to further aid symptoms of PCOS, supplementing with NAC may be for you.
Research into cysteine deficiency and NAC supplementation in people with PCOS is fairly new, with most studies being short and with few participants. It’s hard to believe, but there is always room for more research!

NAC supplements for PCOS

For many people, PCOS brings multiple different symptoms, including metabolic complications, fatigue, excess hair growth, and acne-prone skin. NAC has the potential to help in such areas. Here’s how it could make a difference:

Reduced Insulin Resistance: NAC may help the body release the right amount of insulin and help cells use insulin more effectively (2,3). This can support better blood sugar control and improved metabolism.

Fighting Inflammation: Research shows that NAC helps the body make more of a natural antioxidant called glutathione. This helps protect the body from harmful molecules and can reduce inflammation over time (4).

Hormonal Changes: When insulin and inflammation levels go down, hormones like testosterone may also drop. This can help with symptoms such as acne and unwanted hair growth. NAC may also help increase hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone, which support regular periods and healthy thickening of the womb lining (5,6).

Improved Ovulation: When the body has more antioxidants and less damage from stress, the health of the egg follicles can improve, which may help increase ovulation (4).

Some studies (7, 8) suggest supplementing with NAC is a potential contender to replace metformin for those with PCOS experiencing insulin resistance. If you think this may be something you wish to try, talk to your doctor about making this swap or adding it to your medications – just to be safe!

Types of NAC and Dosing

There are different types of NAC supplementation, such as intravenous and inhalers; however, the most common is oral supplements.

Previous research suggested a dose of approximately 1.6 to 3g/day, with some demonstrating that only doses over 3g produce an effect in people with PCOS. However, recent studies (9,10) have demonstrated that smaller doses such as 600mg and 1200mg can still have a significant effect in PCOS management.

Some individuals trying NAC have reported some side effects, including vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and mild skin irritation. However, both ideal dosing and side effects vary for different people, so checking in with your doctor or a registered dietitian is always advised, as well as monitoring for side effects if you trial NAC.

NAC doses such as 600mg and 1200mg can still have a significant effect in PCOS management. — **Best NAC supplement for PCOS**
There are many supplements on the market, which can make choosing the best one a little overwhelming at times. Here are some top tips when choosing where to spend your pennies:
Be wary of quick-fix gimmicks promising to ‘fix’ conditions like PCOS.
Avoid long ingredient lists that contain different chemicals or unnecessary ‘fillers’.
Try and choose a supplement that will be easy to incorporate into your everyday routine – make it work for you!

Below are some examples of NAC supplements that are available to order online. All three have been third-party tested to ensure all ingredients are listed and safe to consume.

Bulk 100% NAC Powder (700mg per scoop) - No extra ingredients, just mix with water and take with a meal.
Pure Encapsulations NAC 600mg Capsules - A little on the pricier side... but a short ingredients list with no nasty add-ons!
VitaBright NAC 600mg Capsules - Vegan capsules free from gluten, dairy and other allergens, if that is important for you.

Summary

PCOS can be debilitating for some and can affect so many areas of everyday life, but understanding different ways to manage your PCOS through nutrition and supplements can be a game-changer. NAC has seen some promising research in recent years and may be part of the puzzle to seeing positive changes like reduced insulin resistance, reduced inflammation and improvements in fertility.

NAC supplements are just one of the supplements that you may want to include in your daily routine. You can read more about other potential supplements below: