Amino Acids - Cysteine or Cystine - Ailments / Situations Where Used

Cysteine and cystine can be used to help prevent or treat alcoholism, heart disease, liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc.), Wilson's disease (copper toxicity), and bronchopulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Cysteine also aids collagen production and facilitates proper skin elasticity and texture.

Cysteine, cystine, and NAC possess powerful antioxidant properties and work best when taken in combination with selenium and vitamin E. They promote liver detoxification by binding toxins and heavy metals such as mercury and lead and facilitating their removal from the body. These amino acids also reduce free radical damage and, in combination with their "liver repair" services, are ideal in treating substance abuse.

NAC can help prevent side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It may also prevent cancer by reducing the number of chemical adducts that cancer-causing compounds use to attach to DNA and cause damage. As mentioned above, the antioxidant properties of these amino acids helps reduce free radical damage, often associated with DNA mutation and cancer development.

NAC's mucolytic (mucus thinning) properties help remedy chronic bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. Its "sulfur stores" break down the disulfide bonds that make mucus thick.

NAC supplementation increases glutathione levels, particularly in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and bone marrow, resulting in an anti-aging effect. AIDS patients can also benefit from NAC supplementation via increased immune-building glutathione levels. When dealing with the common cold, some studies show success with NAC supplementation -- symptoms were reduced and the duration of infection decreased.