N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an amino acid and powerful antioxidant. It is a thiol containing compound that acts to minimise exercise-induced oxidative stress through its actions as a cysteine donor in the maintenance of glutathione homeostasis and via direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species. There are two ways in which NAC supplementation may support athlete performance, as described below:

1. NAC as an ergogenic aid to improve high intensity and repeat sprint performance
   • An accumulation of oxidants can interfere with skeletal muscle contraction¹
   • There is evidence suggesting that oral NAC supplementation may help to scavenge or ‘buffer’ oxidants and enable muscle contraction to continue during intense exercise^2-4
2. NAC to reduce exercise-induced inflammation
   • NAC has been shown to support athlete health during periods of intensified training² and tournaments³
   • Promotes the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines and minimises skeletal muscle injury following fatiguing contractile activity⁵