Anti-Age Your Body With Essential Nutrient Cysteine!

By Patrick Brian O’Neill

Found in all “high protein” foods, cysteine is the name of an anti-aging amino acid and does not refer to the world-famous chapel in the Apostolic Palace where the Pope hangs out, even though it is pronounced the same way. It actually contains sulfur, and is very important for proper protein and enzyme growth, processing and functioning. As one of the 43 essential nutrients that your body craves, it is absolutely required for maximum health, although in small quantities.

What Exactly is Cysteine?

Technically speaking, cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid. It can be biosynthesized (produced) in human beings. For those of you keeping score at home, its chemical formula is HO₂CCHCH₂SH. Oh yeah, almost forgot. It’s encoded by codons UGU and UGC, it is soluble in water, its molar mass is 121.16 g/mol and its melting point is an incendiary 464°F (240°C). (As if you cared.)

As can often be the case, technical jargon does not really tell you a lot about the anti-aging mineral cysteine, which is one of the 43 essential nutrients your body must have to function properly. When someone asks “What is cysteine” they are really asking, “What’s in it for me?” To answer that question, let’s take a look at how your body benefits from this required nutrient.

What Benefits Do I Get From Cysteine?

The most capable and strongest antioxidant in your body is glutathione. What does that have to do with the discussion of cysteine benefits? Everything, since cysteine is an essential building block of glutathione. This means without proper cysteine levels, your body does not detox heavy metals and other pollutants properly, your arteries and airways can become clogged, and several other bodily functions suffer. Here are just a few of the many benefits this little understood amino acid offers:

• Delivers an anti-aging effect to your entire body
• Reduces the presence of age spots
• Detoxifies your liver
• Breaks up mucus
• Reduces your chance of developing cancer
• Improves the appearance and health of your nails, hair, skin and eyes

Medical Conditions Affected by a Lack of Cysteine

Since cysteine is needed to create a proper foundation for proper glutathione functioning, multiple conditions, diseases and ailments can arise from a deficiency of cysteine. When the most powerful antioxidant in your body is not allowed to work properly, due in part to improper cysteine levels, the following problems may arise:

• Respiratory infection
• Skin problems
• Lung damage
• Your chances of contracting cancer and AIDS are increased
• Bone damage from oxidation
• Hair turning gray or white
• Liver damage
• Loss of muscle mass
• Slower development in children

Cysteine is often used for treating:

• Respiratory tract problems
• Allergies
• Bronchitis
• Acne
• Emphysema
• Sun Damaged Skin
• Tuberculosis
• Liver Damage
• “Morning after” alcohol hangover
• HIV infection

What Kinds of Foods Is Cysteine Found In?

Bear in mind that most diets naturally deliver enough cysteine. (Someone weighing 154 pounds, or 70 kg, needs about 290 mg of cysteine daily.) However, to ensure the health of your skin, hair and nails, and the healthy antioxidant glutathione that is so important to multiple body functions, focus on eating the following foods:

• Beef and lamb – Just 3 ounces of these protein packed foods gets 391 mg of cysteine into your body, 136% of your recommended daily intake (RDI).
• Sunflower, Chia and watermelon seeds, pistachio, Brazil and pine nuts – Roughly 2 ounces of these yummy nuts and seeds will get 252 mg (88% RDI) of this essential nutrient into your body.
• Turkey and chicken – You only need to eat 3 ounces of either one of these birds’ meat to receive 105% to 125% of your daily requirements.
• Salmon, snapper, tuna, mackerel, shrimp – For 80% to 95% of your cysteine DRI, eat 3 to 4 ounces of these seagoing foods (always opt for wild caught over farm raised).
• Dairy and cheese (1 cup) and hard-boiled eggs (per egg) – These products deliver anywhere from 30% to 50% of your cysteine daily requirements. The exception is Swiss cheese, which packs a whopping 133% (390 mg) of the recommended DRI.
• Nutrient Dense Meals – Every Yevo Meal delivers 50% of your daily requirements of all 43 Essential Nutrients