Discover more about the combined synergistic effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), selenium and molybdenum for ultimate liver health.
Abdominal pain, itchy skin, nausea, and fatigue can be signs of poor liver health, though some people experience no symptoms with liver disease at all. (1) Taking care of this critical organ can help us digest food better, aid in the removal of harmful toxins from our body, and more. Studies show that three dietary supplements can help support liver function—NAC, selenium, and molybdenum—making them a powerful triad for liver health.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement with antioxidant properties and, therefore, helps reduce free radical damage on a cellular level. (2) Sometimes written as N-acetylcysteine (with no space), NAC has been found to support greater liver health and function.
For example, a comprehensive analysis of the literature published in 2020 reports that NAC helps block the buildup of fat in the liver, also improving liver function by reducing inflammatory markers. (3) This is important because both fat and inflammation contribute to liver damage and disease.
A different piece of research adds that NAC helps reduce the loss of muscle strength and size that occurs with chronic liver disease. (4)
Selenium and Liver Health
Selenium is an essential mineral that plays a role in thyroid health and reproduction, and it also helps protect the body from infection and oxidative stress. (5)
Research has found that people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — which has since been renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — may have lower selenium levels. (6)
Other studies link increased selenium levels with a reduced risk of scar tissue in the liver (fibrosis), especially in older people, as well as a lower risk of death in patients with NAFLD. (7)
Molybdenum for Liver Support
Molybdenum is an essential trace element that is required for other important enzymes to function; namely, those involved in metabolizing toxins and drugs. (8) A study published in Science of The Total Environment found that as molybdenum levels decrease, the risk of NAFLD increases. (9)
Molybdenum is found in legumes, whole grains, leafy vegetables, beef liver, milk, and nuts. It’s also available in supplements. Chelated forms of trace elements like molybdenum are often more biologically stable, thus impacting the product’s performance. (10)
Taking A Combination Supplement for Synergistic Liver Effects
All three of these ingredients have been linked to greater liver health, albeit in different ways. So, taking them together helps support the health of this important organ via several different approaches.
While one option is to purchase these three substances individually, another is to buy a combination supplement. A combination product enables you to gain the benefits of each without having to take three separate pills. This type of product is also formulated to provide the optimal amount of each for liver health.
Natural Wellness offers NAC Plus, a combination antioxidant and liver support supplement that contains NAC, selenium, and molybdenum. Each one-capsule serving provides 600 mg of N-acetyl cysteine, 70 mcg of selenium, and 75 mcg of molybdenum (as amino acid chelate). NAC Plus is also non-GMO and gluten-free, making it suitable for anyone following these types of diets.
Looking after your liver today can help it function better tomorrow. Taking a supplement that contains NAC, selenium, and molybdenum may help by providing synergistic effects.