I got one of the preps I have been meaning to get but have been lazy. At least one bottle of 600 mg NAC ( N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine). If you read the Wiki here http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Consequences.NAC or Google “NAC and Influenza” you will see many quotes of the Italian study that documented protective value for seasonal flu when taken during flu season at 600mg twice a day. Also there is good evidence that it is a powerful anti-oxident and may help defeat the Cytokine storm in direct treatment of influenza. Let’s face it, if H5N1 hits with a high CFR and you or I get sick….I will be chowin down my Tamiflu, NAC, Vitamin C, green tea and anything else we have….Bottom line: I think it is worth having in your home arsenal.
I just bought one bottle of 60 capsules at my local GNC store for 12.99 + local tax. My batch is good until 08/09. This is enough for treatment of the wife and I, not daily prophylaxis if H5N1 hits. This is not as cheap as the internet but GNC was highly rated on the net as far as customer satisfaction. I want to purchase more in bulk but need to review some of the online distributors for quality.
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Would this work similary to an OTC expectorant like Musinex? Something to get gunk out of the lungs? NAC’se side effects of vomitting and diareah would be an issue with H5N1.
anonMD - thanks for the info regarding NAC. I would suggest Puritan’s Pride as a potential source for supplements such as NAC - they have a reputation for good quality and low cost. I’ve read here at the wiki that statins may be a potential treatment, but more research is needed. What do you think of Red Yeast Rice as a potential statin treatment (available over the counter & cheap)?
Be aware of the common adverse reactions of this drug before use
I have NAC in my arsenal also, in case. I reviewed each of the potential antiflu supplements and chose that and some others a while back.
LauraB It isn’t like musinex at all. IT works on the very mechanism that seems to make this particular influenza, as well as made the one of 1918, so lethal especially in the young. What kills them as you probably know is the cytokine storm, an over reaction by the immune system in the lungs to the virus. White blood cells flood in and release factors that attract more cells and cause cells to release cytokines. This chemical overresponse causes inflammation and injury to the lung tissue itself, leading to ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) which is highly lethal.
NAC works on the mechanism that Causes cytokine storm. It works on the cells that mediate the chemical cascade, so that the overresponse is reduced. See the link for a good explanation if you haven’t already
woops my mistake. Should have taken my own advice and read the link, sorry LauraB. I didn’t know of NAC’s mucolytic properties in addition to above…the excitement about it for me and I think for the anonMD above was that it decreases the cytokine storm…reduces chance of dying from it. Not alot of things have THAT effect…which makes it significant I think.. the other effect, mucolysis, is less significant because as you point out you can buy OTC mucolytic agents.