1. NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
“NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) is a powerful antioxidant supplement that has been shown to provide numerous health benefits and should be included in most people’s supplement list,” says Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD. “It is particularly beneficial for people with liver and lung disorders, as it helps to reduce inflammation and improve the body’s detoxification processes.”
“In addition, NAC may be beneficial for supporting cardiovascular health, helping to improve cognitive function, and even reducing the symptoms associated with some mental health conditions,” Sabat says, while adding that it “has been used in both fighting COVID and long COVID symptoms.”
A review published in Cell Journal also deemed NAC “a powerful antioxidant” that can help with a wide range of conditions, while noting that it “is a safe and well-tolerated supplementary drug without any considerable side effects.”
2. Quercetin
“Quercetin is another great antioxidant that is often overlooked in someone’s supplement arsenal,” Sabat says. “It is best known for being a zinc ionophore, which means it helps get zinc into the cell.”
“Quercetin is a flavonoid that is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables,” Sabat explains. “It has a variety of potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and protecting against oxidative damage. It may also be beneficial in treating certain conditions, such as hay fever, prostate cancer, and diabetes. Additionally, it is thought to help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.”
Research that was published by Nutrients backs this up, finding that quercetin “has a wide range of biological actions including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities.”
When it comes to taking quercetin supplements, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai says that they can be ingested as pills, capsules, or in a form that can be added to water before drinking, which certainly makes things easy.