Cysteine is another one of the amino acids that are naturally occurring. It is not labeled as an essential amino acid, except for certain groups in the population, such as infants and the elderly. NAC cysteine – short for “N acetyl cysteine” – is the supplement form of cysteine and such available for sale on the Internet and in health food stores.
When checking the ‘Net, n-acetyl cysteine is sold as a cure for a wide variety of conditions. For example n acetyl cysteine and hangovers have been closely associated for a long time, since the premier cysteine chemical property rests on the fact that it helps the body with the process of detoxification. While a hangover is little more than the body’s response to an overdose of alcohol, cysteine is said to reduce these toxins quickly and effectively.
What is L-Cysteine?
L-cysteine is a proteinogenic amino acid. In nature, L-cysteine is found primarily in creatine. In order to supply the amino acid to the body, foods such as pork, chicken or salmon can be consumed. The recommended daily dose ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 g L-cysteine. If required, L-cysteine preparations can be taken. Dietary supplements have the advantage that they contain the perfect dosage of the amino acid and can therefore meet the daily requirements. But what does L-cysteine do to the body? We want to answer exactly this question in the following article and also examine the consequences of an L-cysteine deficiency.
Effect
In the body, L-cysteine is converted to glutathione. This substance is an antioxidant, which can have a positive effect on different processes in the body, because it fights free radicals. Thus, taking L-cysteine can help strengthen the immune system and reduce the susceptibility to diseases. The amino acid can also promote the excretion of harmful heavy metals that are in the cells. L-cysteine can thus stimulate the detoxification of the body. In addition to the function of protecting the body against free radicals, L-cysteine can also help to build and maintain nerve cells. The amino acid gives the connective tissue a firmer structure. L-cysteine can thus improve the complexion, but also promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Furthermore, n acetyl cysteine and thyroid functions have been connected in that it is supposed to stimulate weight stabilization and weight loss. N-acetyl cysteine for gall bladder ailments and n acetyl cysteine for asthma sufferers have also been indicated. NAC cysteine for cancer prevention and treatment is indicated because cysteine is said to bind free radicals. To this end, cysteine colon cancer supplementation is supposed to help after surgery to prevent relapses. There have even been suggestions that n acetyl cysteine and cataracts may be beneficially connected.
Yet it is important to note that none of these cysteine related claims has been proven or approved by the FDA. In addition to the foregoing, due to the hydrophobicity of cysteine it is somewhat questionable what an over-supplementation of the substance will do to the body. While it is true that cysteine is found in human milk and hair, the question what does cysteine do when taken in supplementation form has not been satisfactorily answered. While the bold claims of the sites selling the substances have caused many to purchase the supplement, thus far the only benefits were found for those seeking to cure a hangover.
L-cysteine for Hair Growth
L-cysteine is able to prevent hair loss. The reason for this is that the amino acid is involved in the production of collagen. Collagen, in turn, is essential when it comes to building keratin in the hair. In addition, collagen is also necessary for building up skin and nails. A study showed that taking L-cysteine in combination with millet seed extract and pantothenic acid can lead to improved hair growth. The results were already visible after three months. In addition to the improved hair growth, the structure of the hair can also improve.
If you are suffering from hair loss, The recommended dosage of L-cysteine for nutritional or diffuse hair loss is 50 mg to 100 mg per day, but can easily be increased to 500 mg per day.
Tablets Or Capsules – Where Can You Buy it?
You can buy L-cysteine tablets or capsules on Amazon or various other online supplement shops. You get a large selection of combination products there. Each manufacturer chooses a relatively individual combination of ingredients that should have the same or similar effect. These are mainly vitamins, minerals and trace elements that contribute to the preservation of hair, skin and nails and can thus promote hair growth and improve the complexion.
L-cysteine Deficiency
Now that we have looked at the effects of L-cysteine, the question is how an L-cysteine deficiency can affect the body. Malnutrition often leads to an imbalance in the amino acid balance. Such an imbalance can promote L-cysteine deficiency. Symptoms of a deficiency can include inflammatory bowel disease or hair loss. Since L-cysteine is essential for the build-up of connective tissue, the following effects such as brittle hair, brittle nails, poor skin, a weakened immune system or the respiratory tract can also be triggered by an L-cysteine deficiency.
Conclusion
All known natural remedies for hair loss are based on a diet with micronutrients and make use of the effect of amino acids. The amino acids are partly contained in the remedy in isolation, partly in a plant extract (especially millet extract). Amino acids act via two basic mechanisms:
- they detoxify the body by attaching themselves to heavy metals and also support the immune system
- they are directly needed for the building of body structures (hair and hair roots).
The most important amino acids necessary for hair metabolism are sulphur-containing amino acids:
- L-Cysteine (building up hair structure)
- L-methionine (building up hair structure), and
- L-Arginine for better blood circulation of the scalp.
Besides these three amino acids, zinc and copper, the entire vitamin B complex and biotin (vitamin H or vitamin B7) are essential for healthy hair growth. A micronutrient supplementation (dietary supplement) should be carried out over a period of at least six months to show results.