2 Best L-Cysteine Supplements
- Contains 500 mg of cysteine in free form per capsule
- Main building block of glutathione
- Formula for the immune system
- With Glutathione, Cysteine and Vitamin C
L-Cysteine-often also described only as cysteine-is 1 of 20 basic (human) amino acids and 1 of 2 amino acids that contains sulfur (the other being methionine). In total, about 500 different amino acids occur in nature.
The sulfur (bridge) gives the cysteine molecule extra stability and cysteine is therefore found mainly in solid structures, such as connective tissues.
Our body can under normal conditions produce cysteine from serine and methionine (also fundamental amino acids). Particularly in children and the elderly, this conversion does not always proceed smoothly.
NAC
L-cysteine is also available in a so-called acetylated form and is then called: N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). This variant is better known and more popular than "regular" l-cysteine.
Presence in food
The recommended daily allowance for cysteine is 14.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. Thus, a person weighing 75 pounds needs about one gram of cysteine per day.
Cysteine is present in pork, poultry, eggs, dairy, chili pepper, garlic, onion, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oats and lentils, among others.
In the food industry, cysteine is also used as a bread improver. The E number of L-cysteine is E920.