NAC is an excellent mucolytic agent. It keeps the membranes of the respiratory system moist, thereby lessening the irritation of dry air, dust, and pollutants. It also helps the immune system to do its job properly in the respiratory tract. NAC is available as a prescription drug for this purpose, but you can buy NAC in a health food store for far less money. The cysteine in NAC is an essential component in hair and nails.
Some people find that it enhances nail growth and makes nails less brittle.
NAC is the standard treatment for acetaminophen overdose. It is prudent to take NAC whenever one uses acetaminophen. It is recommended that persons taking the amino acid cysteine take at least three times as much vitamin C as cysteine to prevent the possibility of oxidized cysteine forming kidney stones.