Do you absorb supplements even if they upset your stomach?
February 17, 2020 8:47 AM Subscribe
My doctor recommended that I begin taking 2 tsp daily of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for mental health reasons. It is giving me digestive issues. I know you aren't my doctor and this isn't medical advice but purely from a biological perspective how do you know if your body is absorbing something that seems to go right through you?
I suppose the question I'm asking is more general in nature but I included the specific substance in case that has an effect on the answer.
I suppose the question I'm asking is more general in nature but I included the specific substance in case that has an effect on the answer.
Maybe it's not the NAC itself, but the form it's in? Liquid vitamins can cause digestive issues. (In particular, the first Google result for an OTC liquid NAC formula has liquid cane sugar in it, a known trouble-maker.) Talk to your doctor about switching to an equivalent capsule, tablet, or powdered form.
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:35 AM on February 17, 2020
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:35 AM on February 17, 2020
Have you tried splitting the dose throughout the day? This would be easier if you could get the amino acid in capsule form.
Here are some choices.
posted by H21 at 9:48 AM on February 17, 2020
Here are some choices.
posted by H21 at 9:48 AM on February 17, 2020
My Dr has said if a medicine or supplement causes stomach upset, have it with a proper full meal - it helps slow absorption and minimise the risk of digestive upset, whether it is an anti depressant, metformin, or a supplement.
posted by Murderbot at 4:19 PM on February 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Murderbot at 4:19 PM on February 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
Chamomile is often added to natural food type vitamin pills and supplements to help them go down more gently.
posted by aniola at 6:53 PM on February 17, 2020
posted by aniola at 6:53 PM on February 17, 2020
No. If it’s meant. to absorb it won’t work if it goes right through
posted by SLC Mom at 12:37 AM on February 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by SLC Mom at 12:37 AM on February 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I take 3 x 600mg NAC with 300mg Alpha Lipoic Acid, twice a day, with no problems. My understanding is that the alpha lipoic acid acts as a kind of buffer, and I always take the four pills "between" food. E.g. eat half a breakfast, swallow the pills, eat the remainder.
I worked up to the dosage -- years ago -- over the course of a week or two. Always the Alpha Lipoic Acid, but starting w/just one NAC, and then, maybe a week later, two, and finally, three.
posted by alittleknowledge at 6:02 PM on February 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I worked up to the dosage -- years ago -- over the course of a week or two. Always the Alpha Lipoic Acid, but starting w/just one NAC, and then, maybe a week later, two, and finally, three.
posted by alittleknowledge at 6:02 PM on February 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
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If it goes right through you it is counterproductive, since surely your doctor didn't prescribe this as a laxative or something to make you ill. So, cut the dosage until you reach a level you can tolerate. The whole complex of amino acids can come from eggs, fish, some nuts, all of that is covered in the article. I am not saying don't take this, but figure out your tolerance level for it, or find something you can wash it down with, that is soothing to your stomach.
My go to thing, is vanilla soy milk, and soybeans is a good source for one of the precursor amino acids anyway. Kirkland vanilla soy milk is about $12.00 for 3 gallons sold in shelf stable quarts, they can sit in a cabinet, until you need to open and chill a quart.
The idea is you need to absorb this, and not have a negative experience doing so. When you go back to this doc, ask if the tolerable dose you have come up with is sufficient, and beef up your diet to do some of the work the prescription handles.
posted by Oyéah at 9:11 AM on February 17, 2020 [1 favorite]