Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa) | NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | — | 600-1200mg daily |
| Timing | — | On empty stomach for best absorption, 30 min before meals. Split doses if >600mg. |
| Cycle Duration | — | Cycle 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off (to avoid potential downregulation of endogenous GSH production) |
| Evidence Level | Moderate | strong_human |
Contains thymoquinone as active compound. Anti-inflammatory via NF-kB inhibition, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective. Improves blood sugar regulation via AMPK activation. Supports respiratory health and has antimicrobial properties.
NAC is a precursor to L-cysteine, the rate-limiting substrate for glutathione (GSH) synthesis via glutamate-cysteine ligase. It directly replenishes intracellular GSH, the master endogenous antioxidant. NAC also modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission by stimulating the cystine-glutamate antiporter (system Xc-), influencing extrasynaptic glutamate levels. Additionally, it acts as a mucolytic by cleaving disulfide bonds in mucus glycoproteins.
600-1200mg daily
On empty stomach for best absorption, 30 min before meals. Split doses if >600mg.
Cycle 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off (to avoid potential downregulation of endogenous GSH production)
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