Evidence supporting the use of: Cysteine
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cysteine, particularly in the form of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has been investigated for its potential to support or treat fatty liver disease, especially nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The rationale is based on cysteine’s role as a precursor to glutathione, a major intracellular antioxidant. Oxidative stress is implicated in the progression of fatty liver disease, and boosting glutathione levels may help mitigate liver cell damage. Several small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that NAC supplementation can reduce liver enzymes (ALT, AST), improve markers of oxidative stress, and in some cases, decrease hepatic steatosis. However, the quality and quantity of clinical evidence are limited. Most studies are small, of short duration, and often use NAC alongside other interventions, making it difficult to isolate cysteine’s effect. There are no major clinical guidelines recommending cysteine or NAC as a standard treatment for fatty liver disease, and large-scale randomized controlled trials are lacking. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary clinical support, the evidence is not robust. Cysteine is not used traditionally for fatty liver disease; its use is based on modern understanding of biochemistry and oxidative stress. In summary, cysteine (as NAC) has some scientific support for adjunctive use in fatty liver disease, but the evidence is weak to moderate and not definitive.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
akkermansia muciniphilaalgal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
arjun tree
artichoke
astaxanthin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
sesame
branched-chain amino acids
butyrate triglyceride
canola oil
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
chokeberry
choline
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
ginger
grape
hesperetin
kelp
l-carnitine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-taurine
lecithin
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
milk thistle
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
palmitoleic acid
perilla
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
silymarin
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
enicostemma littorale
punarnava
picrorhiza kurroa
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
ganoderma
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
coix
nopal
algae
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
4-hydroxyisoleucine
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Arjuna
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Algal protein
Alisma
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Apocynin
Arjunolic acid
Borotutu
Brutieridin
Brown Algae
Brassica
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Blakeslea trispora
Betanin
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Baicalin
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Coriander
chlorogenic acid
Cynarin
Cruciferous
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Caulerpa okamurae
Copalchi
Curcuma
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
corosolic acid
Carnosic acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Decursin
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Dithiolthiones
epicatechin
Eriocitrin
Ergothioneine
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Fiber
Rhubarb
walnut
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Cysteine
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAlcoholism
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Convalescence
Cough (general)
Emphysema
Fatty Liver Disease
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hangover
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hepatitis
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Mercury Poisoning
Radiation Sickness
Wounds and Sores