What's it all about?

Cysteine, or L-cysteine, is an amino acid that our body can manufacture from food. It is a semi-essential amino acid, in other words, it is partially manufactured by the body, but in quantities notoriously insufficient to meet the body's total needs.

This amino acid is useful not only for its own sake, but also for its role in the manufacture of other constituents required by the body. It plays a key role in the synthesis of proteins such as collagen, melanin and keratin. It also enables synthesis of glutathione and coenzyme A. Finally, cysteine is a precursor of cystine and taurine. It also improves zinc metabolism.

Properties

Cysteine has numerous benefits for the body. Some of the most widely studied or cited include:

• A protective effect against heavy metals. Scientific studies on animals have highlighted this astonishing effect, particularly for lead and mercury.
• Studies conducted with cysteine demonstrate its virtuous action in the fight against hypertension.
• Cysteine's anti-inflammatory properties justify its use in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
• Like methionine, it contains sulfur and is involved in the synthesis of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant produced in the body.
• It is proposed for the treatment of skin problems and hair loss.

Dosage

The recommended daily dosage for a cysteine supplement ranges from 500 to 3000 mg/day. Intake should be spread over the main meals. A combination with vitamin C may be useful to enhance its efficacy.

Safety precautions

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking cysteine supplements.