Cysteine is classified as a nonessential amino acid, meaning it is not necessary for survival; although, it may be essential for some populations and helpful for treatment of some conditions. It is often essential for infants and the elderly, as well as, those with certain metabolic disorders to have enough cysteine in their system. Although not proven, many bodybuilders believe that cysteine helps increase the benefits of exercise and reduce the stress put on the body by heavy lifting.
While Cysteine is produced naturally by the body, it is also found in many foods and can be taken in supplement form when necessary. Cysteine is found in many foods with high protein contents including pork products, poultry, eggs, dairy products, whey protein, ricotta and cottage cheeses, and lunch meats. It is also found in vegetarian foods that include red peppers, garlic, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oats, granola, and wheat germ.
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Cysteine Benefits Cysteine’s most widely known effect is that is helps promote the health of the stomach lining and intestines which improves the absorption of essential proteins from the foods we eat. Some infants and elderly individuals may lack the necessary amounts of proteins in their... more
Cysteine’s most widely known effect is that is helps promote the health of the stomach lining and intestines which improves the absorption of essential proteins from the foods we eat. Some infants and elderly individuals may lack the necessary amounts of proteins in their bodies to absorb nutrients naturally. These individuals may require a prescription supplement of Cysteine in order to gain the nutrients they require through their diet.
Symptoms of a moderate Cysteine deficiency include difficulty gaining weight and low levels of essential proteins in the blood. Severe deficiencies are marked by de-pigmentation of hair, extreme fatigue and weakness, liver damage, loss of muscle and fat, skin lesions, and edema.
Cysteine has also been found to be able to be transformed by the body into glucose and used as an energy source. This belief is why some body builders and other athletes have begun taking Cysteine supplements to increase their energy when working out. Still, there are no studies proving this effect to be true, just speculation.
Several other speculated, yet unproven benefits to Cysteine include:
One additional common medical use of Cysteine is as an antidote for acetaminophen overdoses. When an individual takes too much acetaminophen at one time, giving Cysteine, can counter the negative symptoms, and reduce the person’s chances of having lasting side effects from the overdose.
While no recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established for Cysteine, these are some common guidelines. Children should not take Cysteine unless it is prescribed and supervised by a doctor due to a deficiency effecting normal absorption of nutrients. The usual dosage for an adult taking Cysteine is between 500 milligrams and 1.5 grams daily depending on the person’s age and reason for taking the supplement.
Those taking Cysteine also need to make sure to drink six to eight glasses of water each day to prevent cysteine Renal Stones from developing, a common side effect of the supplement. Some studies have shown that by taking three to five grams of vitamin C daily, you can counter this effect and prevent the stones even if you do not drink enough water. Cysteine supplements come in the form of a capsule that should be taken with food and water or up to an hour and a half after eating a meal.
In addition to the renal stone side effect there are some other potential, although rare, side effects you should consider when thinking about taking Cysteine. These include nausea, vomiting, fever, runny nose, drowsiness, clammy skin, and chest tightness. Some irritation of the tracheal and bronchial tracts has been reported although there is little evidence to determine a link between this symptom and Cysteine.
Those with poor nutritional habits are at greater risk for side effects from taking supplements. Also, some individuals should not take Cysteine supplements. This includes women who are healthy and are pregnant or breast feeding, healthy individuals over age 55, and anyone with diabetes. Additionally, anyone with a protein based allergy, including allergies to eggs, milk, and wheat, should not take Cysteine supplements.
Cysteine is an amino acid that may be recommended for certain populations to take in nutritional supplement form. As with any supplements or medications you should consult your doctor before taking it to make sure that it will not interfere with any health conditions you have or medications you are already taking. Find and compare Cysteine options by using the free supplement finder now!
| Chest Tightness |
| Clammy Skin |
| Drowsiness |
| Fever |
| Irritation Of The Tracheal And Bronchial Tracts |
| Nausea |
| Protein Allergic Reaction |
| Renal Stones |
| Runny Nose |
| Vomiting |
| Acetyl Cysteine, Acetylcysteine, L-Cysteine, Cysteine Hydrochloride, Cystine, L-Cysteine, L-Cysteine HCl, NAC, N-Acetil Cisteína, N-Acetyl-B-Cysteine, N-Acétyl Cystéine, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, N-Acetylcysteine, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine |
| Acetaminophen Overdose |
| Anti-Aging |
| Antioxidant |
| Energy |
| Healing |
| Hair Health |
| Intestinal Health |
| Nail Health |
| Skin Health |
| Stomach Issues/Ailments |
| Surgical Recovery |