Tag: Cysteine safety

While L-cysteine is a natural amino acid, the safety of its salt form, cysteine hydrochloride, depends heavily on its specific application and dosage. From food additive to intravenous therapy, understanding its varied uses and potential side effects is critical to determining if cysteine hydrochloride is safe for your needs.

While the body can produce cysteine from other amino acids and naturally regulates its levels, excessive intake through high-dose supplements like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can overwhelm these systems and lead to adverse health effects. It is a semi-essential amino acid crucial for making proteins and the powerful antioxidant glutathione.