Evidence supporting the use of: L-cysteine
For the body system: Mucus Membranes

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

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

L-cysteine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to glutathione, a major antioxidant in the body, and is also involved in the synthesis of proteins and other biomolecules. Its use to support the mucus membranes—such as those lining the respiratory tract—is primarily linked to its role in mucolytic therapy, particularly in the form of its derivative, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Scientific studies have shown that NAC can reduce the viscosity of mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways in conditions like chronic bronchitis or cystic fibrosis. This mucolytic action helps maintain the health and function of respiratory mucus membranes. L-cysteine itself is less commonly used directly for this purpose, but because it is a precursor to NAC and glutathione, it is sometimes included in supplements aimed at supporting respiratory health and, by extension, mucus membrane integrity. Clinical trials and reviews support the efficacy of NAC in decreasing mucus thickness and improving symptoms in respiratory illnesses, though direct evidence for L-cysteine is less robust. Overall, the use of L-cysteine for mucus membrane support is grounded in scientific rationale, though the strength of evidence specifically for L-cysteine (as opposed to NAC) is moderate rather than strong.

More about L-cysteine
More about Mucus Membranes

Other ingredients that support Mucus Membranes

Acacia
Acemannan
Adenophora
Agastache
Agrimony
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alchornea
Allicin
Aloe vera
Arisaema
arrowroot
asarabacca
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
Baccharis dracunculifolia
bael
bai ji
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Barleria
barley
basil
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benzoin
beta-carotene
bethroot
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bird\'s nest
bistort
black seed
blackberry
Bletilla
boneset
borage
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
broccoli
Bryonia
butterbur
cajuput
Calendula
cantaloupe
capsicum
cardamom
carotene (unspecified)
carvacrol
catechu
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
ceramides
chamomile
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chondrus
cineole
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
clove
cod liver oil
Collinsonia
colloidal silver
colostrum
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cornflower
cowslip
cranesbill
cubeb
dandelion
devil\'s club
Echinacea
Elder
elecampane
elephant\'s head
ellagitannin
English elm
English horsemint
eucalyptus
Eucheuma
European Elder
European field elm
European five-finger grass
Eyebright
fireweed
flavanones
flavonones
fleabane
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Gambir
Gigartina
Glechoma hederacea
Gleditsia
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycosaminoglycans
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
goldthread
Grindelia
Guaco
Gumweed
heal-all
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Heliopsis
herbal blend (proprietary)
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian ipecac
Jaboticaba
Kefiran
L-cysteine
L-threonine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus jensenii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Large-leaved linden
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
licorice root
Ligusticum
linden
lobelia
Lomatium
loquat
luffa
lungwort
lysozyme
Mahonia
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marshmallow
Matico
Meadowsweet
Menthol oil
Methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
Mimosa
Mineral ascorbate
Mint
mixed carotenoids
Monardella odoratissima
Moss
Mountain horopito
Mucilage
Mucin
Mugwort
Mullein
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
N-acetyl-glucosamine
N-acetylneuraminic acid
Nasturtium
Nettle
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Nigella seed
okra
olive
omega-7 fatty acids
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregon grape
Osha
Panthenol
pear
Pelargonium
Pellitory
perilla
Persimmon
Phenylpropanoids
Pinellia ternata
Plantago
plantain
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plectranthus amboinicus
Polygonatum
Portulaca
Potentilla
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propolis
Pseudostellaria
Pulsatilla
purple loosestrife
raspberry
ravinsara
red root
red soapwort
Rhus glabra
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rosa californica
rose
rose oil
rosmarinic acid
Rumex acetosa
Sabadilla
sage
Sambucus nigra
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Serrapeptase
Sidalcea glaucescens
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Speedwell
Spilanthes
Stemona
Stillingia
Storax
Streptococcus salivarius
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Tannins
Terminalia
Teucrium marum
Thuja
thyme
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tragacanth
Tremella
Tylophora
Ulmus
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Veronica
Viola
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
White Dead Nettle Flower
White oak
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc

Products containing L-cysteine

Metagenics BioPure Protein® Powder
Metagenics Bone Builder Active
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Collagenics®
Metagenics Echinacea Synergy
Metagenics GI Sustain™ Powder
Integrative Therapeutics Glutathione Cell Defense
Vitabase Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Metagenics ImmuCore
Metagenics Immune Defense Pack
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Metagenics Perfect Protein® Pea & Rice Chocolate Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Pea & Rice Vanilla Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Chocolate
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Vanilla
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Vitabase Super Antioxidant Formula
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 1000
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C 500
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Chewable
Metagenics Ultra Potent-C Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla