Evidence supporting the use of: Cysteine compounds (unspecified)
For the body system: Hair

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Cysteine compounds, particularly L-cysteine, are justified in supporting the hair body system based on scientific evidence. Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid and a major building block of keratin, the structural protein that makes up hair. Multiple studies have demonstrated that cysteine is crucial for hair strength, structure, and growth. For example, research shows that cysteine supplementation can increase hair shaft diameter and improve hair tensile strength. In addition, cysteine is a precursor for glutathione, a potent antioxidant, which may help protect hair follicles from oxidative stress. Clinical studies on oral supplementation with cysteine in combination with other nutrients (such as pantothenic acid, zinc, and millet extract) have shown improvement in hair density and reduction in hair loss in individuals with telogen effluvium and other forms of diffuse hair loss. However, the evidence is not uniformly robust, as many studies use multi-ingredient formulations, making it difficult to isolate the effects of cysteine alone. Despite this, the biochemical role of cysteine in keratin formation and the results from supplementation studies provide a reasonable scientific basis for its use in hair health. Traditional use of cysteine specifically for hair support is not prominent, so the justification is primarily scientific rather than historical.

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