Studies reveal that individuals infected with HIV have compromised antioxidant status.2,3 Certain antioxidants, such
as glutathione, prevent viral replication while reactive oxidants tend to stimulate the virus.3
Moreover, a decline in glutathione status may be a biomarker signalling a more rapid progression of HIV to full
blown AIDS.4 There is evidence that supplementing HIV patients with N-Acetylcysteine can significantly increase
the synthesis of glutathione and slow the progression of the disease.5, 16
Studies have shown that intracellular concentrations of glutathione are correlated with the absolute CD4 (T-helper
cells) lymphocyte counts. A single dose of N-Acetylcysteine has been shown to increase the concentration of
cysteine in the plasma and mononuclear cells of HIV-infected patients.6
N-Acetylcysteine supplementation in these patients has been shown to cause approximately a 2-fold inhibition of
HIV reverse transcriptase activity and had a synergistic effect when tested simultaneously with vitamin C.7
As glutathione is the main intracellular defence against oxidative stress, and is decreased in the plasma, lung fluid,
and T-lymphocytes in individuals with AIDS, N-acetylcysteine, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium are important
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Meschino Health Comprehensive Guide to Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
Accessory Nutrients and Essential Oils
considerations for these patients because they help to replenish glutathione, when taken as supplements.2 NAC
supplementation has been shown to significantly increase glutathione in HIV patients and improve survival in a 2 to
3 year follow-up trial.9