In 2021, after having dodged COVID-19 for over a year, I was finally hit with the bug. For the ten days I quarantined myself, pretty much the only symptom I experienced was a loss of taste and smell. Other than that, I felt okay enough to wonder from time to time what the fuss was about.
Until about a month later, when I planned a short trip with a friend. Due to isolation, I hadn’t really maintained my regular exercise routine, and it had been some time since I’d seen this particular friend, who knew me well.
We arrived at a lovely guesthouse and sat on the balcony to catch up on life. While chatting, she looked at me with some concern until I asked her what on earth was wrong. She pointed out that when I was speaking, I would often forget what I was saying and stop to stare into space for a minute. She also pointed out that I had been walking into the room and forgetting what I had gone for. I laughed it off. The pandemic was stressful for everyone, and we were mostly not ourselves immediately after.
The next day, we went for a walk. It was not particularly challenging, but there was one steep hill. By the time I reached the top of that hill, I could not breathe. It was not the usual kind of puffing after a bit of a climb. It felt like my lungs were in a vice, and I could only suck the smallest amount of air in at a time. This was when I knew something was wrong. A trip to the doctor and it was suggested I might be experiencing this new thing called “long COVID.”
What are the symptoms of long COVID-19?
Long COVID symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, memory issues, brain fog, dizziness, and chest pain. Some people with long COVID have also reported gastrointestinal symptoms.
What are the treatment options for long COVID-19?
At the time, there were not a lot of treatment options for long COVID, and I was told to simply rest as much as I could and eat well. Then, I was lucky enough to catch a seasonal cold that came with a very mucus-producing cough. I say lucky because, on a trip to the pharmacist for some cough lozenges, she suggested I try Rheunac, which is an OTC supplement that provides doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to help get some of the mucus out of my lungs.
Within a week, the cough had cleared up. I then tried a walk and noticed that the shortness of breath was a bit better, too. I spoke with my doctor and continued taking N-acetylcysteine for a recommended amount of time, and the shortness of breath disappeared entirely. The sigh of relief I took was a very, very full one!
How does N-acetylcysteine help the lungs?
Scientists have studied how NAC helps improve health in both lab and real-life settings. This drug has shown benefits for people with respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, and even COVID-19. While more research is needed to confirm its effects, it may work by stopping the virus from spreading and reducing the dangerous inflammation caused by a cytokine storm. A cytokine storm is when the immune system overreacts to a virus or infection, causing excessive inflammation that can damage the lungs and other organs.
What about the brain fog?
It took a bit longer to notice that the brain fog I had been experiencing had improved, too. I was too excited about my lungs feeling better to pay much attention to that. Until I met up with that same friend, and she mentioned that I seemed “better” and more focused than I had been. I figured it was because I was getting more oxygen to my brain now, which certainly may have contributed until I began reading about N-acetylcysteine’s effects on the brain.
“Brain fog” is a major challenge for people dealing with long COVID. Those with brain fog often struggle to think clearly, have trouble remembering things, can’t focus well, and find it hard to come up with the right words during conversations.
According to the CDC, in March 2024, around 7% of adults in the US, or about 17 million people, said they had long COVID-19. It’s not clear exactly how many of them have trouble thinking clearly, but one study found that nearly half of people with long COVID-19 reported memory problems or brain fog.
Brain fog from long COVID eventually improves for most people, but it can still seriously affect their daily lives. For me, I used to manage several tasks at once, but brain fog meant I could only focus on one thing at a time if I were lucky.
How does Rheunac help the brain?
NAC helps control glutamate, an important chemical in the brain. Glutamate is needed for normal brain function, but too much of it combined with low glutathione levels can harm the brain. NAC helps improve brain health by restoring glutathione and balancing glutamate levels in the brain. Glutamate is a chemical that plays a key role in learning, memory, and behavior, while glutathione is an antioxidant that protects brain cells from damage caused by aging.
Although NAC shows promise for brain health, more studies on people are needed to know for sure. What I can say from my personal journey and the science behind it, though, is that it is absolutely worth talking to your healthcare provider about trying if you are feeling the effects of long COVID.
FAQs
Can NAC repair nerves?
NAC is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and stress. It may also help protect nerves. Studies show it can improve nerve healing after a nerve is cut, but its effects on nerve problems caused by other injuries are still unknown.
Does NAC affect sleep?
Some research shows that NAC seems to change how deep sleep is distributed by making the beginning of sleep more intense.
Are there any dangers to taking NAC?
Taking too much NAC (over 7 grams) can harm the body and might even be deadly. Some other possible side effects of NAC include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. It’s important to always follow the recommended dosage and consult with a doctor before starting any new supplement.
How much NAC should a person take?
A common dose of NAC is 600–1,200 mg each day, but it’s important to talk to a doctor to figure out the right amount or if the supplement is appropriate.
