Why is Cysteine Conditionally Essential?
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4 min read
According to a 2023 study published in the journal *Nutrients*, cysteine is considered a nonessential amino acid in healthy adults, but its status changes under specific physiological conditions. This is because the body's ability to produce cysteine on its own, through a process involving another amino acid called methionine, can become limited during times of high demand. Understanding why cysteine is conditionally essential provides insight into its critical role in health and disease.