Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Spring 2023

• Exerts antimicrobial and antibacterial properties in many chronic or recurrent infections • Lowers cholesterol, BP and increases Nitric Oxide for healthy blood flow to the heart. • Minimises oxidative damage to heart tissue in diabetics that is often the precursor to heart disease that leads to strokes, heart attacks, and other serious heart conditions. • Exerts lung, liver, and kidney protective and reparative effects. • Reduces Acne • Assists to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones. • Reduces age spots on the skin. • Helps to prevent side effects of medications, drugs, drug overdose and environmental toxins. Hospital emergency departments regularly give intravenous (IV) NAC to people with an acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose to prevent kidney and liver damage or failure. Biofilms & infections Infections persist and become chronic because microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) make themselves a protective external layer called a biofilm. Though relatively unknown, these microorganisms survive and hide in body cavities and surfaces through the formation of biofilms. The most successful persistent forms of life on earth are considered to be biofilms. Biofilms are microbial communities surrounded by a layer of mucus like material, in turn making it difficult for the immune system to fight them. Biofilms are resistant to antiviral and antibacterial drugs and to the typical immune defences of the infected individual. Certain viruses form complex biofilm like structures, similar to bacterial biofilms. These structures then protect viruses from the immune system and enable them to spread more easily from cell to cell. Viral biofilms are likely to be a major method of propagation for some viruses. As an example, by removing the viral biofilm from the surface of the infected cells, researchers achieved an 80% reduction in infection rates of the retrovirus HTLV-1. NAC has been extensively researched for its proven effectiveness in inhibiting biofilm formation and in destroying developed biofilms . Studies confirm a role for NAC in the treatment of biofilms, with corresponding excellent safety and efficacy . NAC has further demonstrated the ability to combat persistent antibiotic resistant bacterial infections by dissolving the biofilm matrix. NAC has also been shown to help the body fight viral infections and to inhibit the replication of seasonal human influenza A viruses. Drug resistant chronic or recurrent infections such as Helicobacter Pylori, sinusitis, middle ear infections, bronchiectasis, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections etc, usually have well developed biofilms. Biofilm protected bacteria can be up to a thousand times more resistant to treatment and the host's own immune defences Most refractory infections THE EXPERT ask

BY GEOFF GARLINGE

Q: I’ve been struggling lately with constant infections and recommended NAC. Please explain what it actually is, why many people now take it for their immune system especially since COVID-19 and what its actual benefits are. A: NAC is a special form of the amino acid Cysteine and the precursor for Glutathione (GSH). Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in the body and essential to protect, detoxify + repair our cells . NAC increases production of glutathione in the body. Many studies confirm GSH is crucial for liver health, improving insulin sensitivity, immune function & much more. On the World Health Organisation’s List of Essential Medicines, NAC has an established proven safety record in both adults & children as a rare FDA approved natural substance since 1963. NAC is used extensively in clinical medicine as a mucolytic agent ( to clear up mucus ), for respiratory infections and sinusitis . It is employed to treat a range of lung diseases such as COPD, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. It may also be used as a stand alone or in combination with antibiotics or herbal antimicrobial agents such Bactoclear in the treatment of some chronic infections . Boosting glutathione levels with NAC increases the body’s cellular protection from damage caused by fatty accumulation , viral infections , toxic chemicals , drug induced damage , as well as auto-immune inflammation . Glutathione restores your cells’ ability to detoxify and fight damage from free radicals known as reactive oxygen species. Ignited by NAC, Glutathione helps the liver to protect against toxicity where liver compromise/ disease is present & for people exposed to heavy metals or toxic chemicals. Researchers are now realising how vital glutathione’s actions in the body are and the array of chronic disease conditions are associated with GSH deficiency. According to Stanford University’s Dr. Kondala R. Atkuri, “ NAC has been used successfully to treat glutathione deficiency in a wide range of infections and metabolic disorders , including HIV infection and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Over two thirds of 46 placebo-controlled clinical trials with orally administered NAC have indicated beneficial effects of NAC measured either as trial endpoints or as general measures of improvement in quality of life and well-being of the patients.” NAC neutralises toxins and pollutants including heavy metals that accumulate in the brain, liver, kidneys, and fatty parts of the body. Via the process of chelation NAC increases the removal of toxic metal ions from the body. Basic Health Benefits of NAC • Boosts glutathione (GSH) reducing inflammation in the lungs and bronchial tubes. • Improves the body’s detoxification process. • Inhibits inflammation in the whole body (systemic inflammation).

(i.e., unresponsive to medical treatment) are attributable to biofilm colonies. Biofilm may spread into uninfected areas and the cycle repeats, thus worsening the infection. Natural substances that can disrupt biofilms • Propolis (Integrity & correct dosage is crucial for efficacy) • Berberine via Philadendrum in Bactoclear/ Glucopia • Ellagic acid (Maqui Berry, Organic Georgian Pomegranate Juice) • Proteolytic enzymes such as Papain (Immunozyme) • Cranberry for biofilms in UTIs (Organic Georgian Juice & Caps) • Oregano (Wild Oil/Caps or in Bactoclear) • Horseradish • Garlic (Australian Caps) and onions • NAC is the most powerful of all especially for old or mature biofilms NAC is underutilised as a therapeutic agent in chronic persistent infections that have previously resisted standard antimicrobial treatments where it offers great benefit. NAC & Selenium work together with Glutathione to continually protect our cells . Selenium acts in the body as an antioxidant which neutralizes toxic substances. Selenium is further required for antioxidant enzyme systems in the body to work efficiently, with the most important being glutathione. When it comes to successfully fighting any viral infection, it’s critical to have adequate amounts of total body selenium and the consequences of Selenium deficiency are: • Increased susceptibility to infections of all types, especially from viruses • Incurable warts • Increased risk of auto-immune disease & inflammation • Higher mortality rates from HIV (AIDS) • Higher morbidity rates from chronic viral hepatitis (types B & C) • Increased incidence of a range of cancers Absorption of NAC Bioavailability is always the crucial key to supplementation & here’s where NAC really delivers. Glutathione (GSH) is poorly absorbed via dietary intake from the gut, whereas oral NAC is far more efficient than GSH, with oral NAC as effective as intravenously administered NAC. Allergy prone individuals & those suffering with a peptic ulcer/heartburn/reflux should begin slowly with one 600mg capsule gradually increasing to 2 NAC capsules twice daily. NAC is ideal taken before meals with a large glass of water or Pure Juice as recommended. This avoids any potential digestive discomfort and is best not to be taken close to bedtime. While one NAC capsule daily can confer substantial benefits, 2x2 does work wonders for many. So it is a versatile powerful supplement & you will be well advised to as we say get the NAC !

© 2023 GEOFF GARLINGE Dip. HC MR A (Medical Reg. Aust) - Geoff Garlinge is a Certified Health Counsellor, Nutritional and Nutraceutical Cancer Support Specialist & consultant to Australian University research facilities and the Natural Health Industry. With 34 years experience in the field, Geoff has lectured with as well as to Doctors, Pharmacists & CM Practitioners concerning Natural Health strategies with a reach into Asia & The Middle East. He is also founder of AUSTRALIA'S OWN Pty Ltd which he has headed since 1994.