NutriStack
NAC and Sulforaphane, a synergy.
Both compounds raise intracellular glutathione: sulforaphane induces the enzymes that synthesize glutathione while NAC supplies the rate-limiting cysteine precursor, supporting cellular antioxidant defense and detoxification.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- NAC and Sulforaphane
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Both compounds raise intracellular glutathione: sulforaphane induces the enzymes that synthesize glutathione while NAC supplies the rate-limiting cysteine precursor, supporting cellular antioxidant defense and detoxification.
Mechanism. Sulforaphane activates the Nrf2 pathway, upregulating glutamate-cysteine ligase and other phase II enzymes; NAC delivers cysteine, the limiting substrate for glutathione synthesis, so the two act on complementary steps of the same pathway.
Recommendation. Reasonable to combine for antioxidant or detoxification goals. Avoid stacking very high doses of both around acute intense exercise, since excessive antioxidant load can blunt beneficial training adaptations.
Sources (2)
- Fahey JW, Talalay P. Antioxidant functions of sulforaphane: a potent inducer of phase II detoxification enzymes. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1999
- Atkuri KR, Mantovani JJ, Herzenberg LA. N-Acetylcysteine: a safe antidote for cysteine/glutathione deficiency. Current Opinion in Pharmacology, 2007
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both NAC and Sulforaphane are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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