L-Cysteine |
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Basic Information
L-cysteine is an amino acid.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No
NATURAL SOURCES
Dairy products
Eggs
Meat
Some cereals
REASONS TO USE
Functions as building block of all proteins.
Eliminates certain toxic chemicals rendering them harmless
(anti-oxidant).
One of the amino acids containing sulfur in a form believed to
inactivate free radicals. If so, it protects and preserves
cells.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Helps build muscle.
Burns fat.
Protects against toxins and pollutants, including some found
in cigarette smoke and alcohol.
Combats arthritis.
May participate in some forms of DNA repair and theoretically
extend life span.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Single amino-acid deficiencies are unknown except in people on
crash diets consisting of only a few foods.
Amino-acid deficiencies appear more commonly as a result of
total protein deficiency, which is rare in the United States and
Canada.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Those with inadequate protein dietary intake.
Children, pregnant or breast-feeding women who are vegan
vegetarians.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Premature infants.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In moderate deficiencies:
Slowed growth in children
Low levels of essential proteins in blood
In severe deficiencies:
Apathy
Depigmentation of hair
Edema
Lethargy
Liver damage
Loss of muscle and fat
Skin lesions
Weakness
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
None
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established.
What this amino acid does:
Provides part of all proteins.
Functions in synthesis of glutathione, a substance that may
neutralize environmental pollutants including tobacco.
Miscellaneous information:
Poorly nourished people have a greater chance of adverse side
effects from taking amino-acid supplements, including an amino-
acid imbalance.
The poorer the diet, the greater the chance of an amino-acid
supplement creating a harmful combination.
Take L-cysteine supplements with vitamin C. Take 2 to 3 times
as much vitamin C as cysteine, milligram to milligram, as a
precaution against kidney- and/or bladder-stone formation.
Available as:
Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to any food protein, such as eggs, milk, wheat.
Are at risk of poor nutrition for any reason.
Have diabetes.
Are self-prescribing without medical supervision.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Diabetes mellitus.
Over age 55:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Pregnancy:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Breast-feeding:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Effect on lab tests:
None known.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of amino acid.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Unlikely to threaten life or cause significant symptoms.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue amino acid, and
consult doctor.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
None expected
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Monosodium-glutamate |
L-cysteine may increase |
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toxicity of monosodium- |
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glutamate in individuals who |
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suffer from the "Chinese- |
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restaurant syndrome." Causes |
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headache, dizziness, |
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disorientation, burning |
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sensations. |
| Vitamin C |
Taken with L-cysteine, vitamin |
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C helps prevent L-cysteine |
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from converting to CYSTINE, |
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which may cause bladder and/or |
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kidney stones. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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