Glutathione – The Master Antioxidant

(Like other natural proteinogenic amino acids cysteine has L chirality  in the older D/L notation based on homology to D- and L-glyceraldehyde)

Cysteine is a nonessential proteinogenic amino acid with the formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2SH. The thiol side chain of cysteine often participates in enzymatic reactions such as a nuecleophile (a chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in relation to a reaction).

Osumex L-Cysteine is produced in Japan from microbial fermentation with no animal origin and are Halal and Kosher certified. It is different from and superior to N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC-L-Cysteine). NAC-L-Cysteine, generally sold as a dietary supplement as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, is a derivative of Cysteine. Most other L-Cysteine is produced industrially by hydrolysis of animal materials such as poultry feathers or hog hair.

Pre-cursor to the antioxidant glutathione

Due to the ability of thiols to undergo redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, cysteine has antioxidant properties. Its antioxidant properties are typically expressed in the tripeptide glutathione, which occurs in humans and other organisms. The availability of oral glutathione is negligible, so it must be biosynthesized from its constituent amino acids, cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid.
Cysteine is an important source of sulfide in human metabolism. The sulfide in iron-sulfur clusters and in nitrogenase (enzymes responsible for the reduction of nitrogen which is a key step to the process of nitrogen fixation required for all forms of life) is extracted from cysteine and converted to alanine in the process.

Applications

Cysteine is often used in food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries with the largest application being in the production of flavours. For example the reaction of cysteine with sugars in a Maillard reaction yields meat flavours. L-Cysteine is also used as a processing aid for baking.
Cysteine is also used in hair for permanent-wave applications, predominantly in Asia. It is also a very popular target for site-directed labeling experiments to investigate biomolecular structure and dynamics. Other uses include being a preventive or antidote for the negative effects arising from excessive alcohol consumption including liver damage and hangover. It counteracts the poisonous effects of acetaldehyde turning it into acetic acid.

Dietary Sources

Many foods rich in protein usually contain L-Cysteine but in small amounts. Meat and soy products are the best source to use to provide sufficient intake of the minimum daily amounts of 1,400 mg. Vegetarians can get their supply from sunflower seeds and walnuts. Soybeans have the highest concentration with approximately 655 mg per 100 gm. L-Cysteine is soluble in water and when cooking care must be taken to avoid keeping them in water too long so that the amino acid is not washed out.

Glutathione

Glutathione is produced naturally by the liver and also found in fruits, vegetables and meats. It is a compound synthesized from cysteine. Like cysteine, glutathione contains the crucial thiol (-SH) group that makes it an effective antioxidant. It is a combination of three simple building blocks of protein or amino acids – cysteine, glycine and gluthamine. Glutathione is called the master antioxidant because it can regenerate itself in the liver.
Glutathione is involved in many processes in the body, including tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, for the immune system. It is the master detoxifier and the body’s main antioxidant protecting our cells and making our energy metabolism run well.
Certain foods contain precursors to help the liver produce more glutathione. They include sulfur-rich foods such as garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress), premium bioactive whey products and colostrums. Others are Vitamin C, milk thistle and turmeric. Exercise also boosts glutathione levels which in turn boost your immune system, improving detoxification and enhance the body’s own antioxidant defenses.
Foods and supplements to increase Glutathione levels in the body
Glutathione
The benefits of using L-Cysteine and Glutathione
Skin and Hair – L-Cysteine and Glutathione play an important role in protein synthesis and is a natural building block of many important structural proteins in connective tissues.
Male Fertility – researches have found that cysteine lowered the concentration of damaging reactive oxygen species within semen. Semen volume, viscosity and mobility are significant better. Glutathione enhances the the function of citrulline as part of the nitric oxide cycle. Nitric oxide improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure.
Inflammation – L-Cysteine and Glutathione help reduce inflammation of reproductive tissues and organs which can in turn support fertility and in the therapy of osteoporosis especially in older women.
Immune system – L-Cysteine supports the production of Glutathione which inhibits inflammation leading to an overall strengthening of the immune system. They are important in the metabolism of lipids and enables the production of cell membranes and protective covers of nerves. They are also essential for maintaining healthy mitochondria as damaged or malfunctioning mitochondria are part of the cancer process. Glutathione has a vital function n iron metabolism. Glutathione levels regulate redox changes to nuclear proteins necessary for th initiation of cell differentiation – where a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized one.
Anti-ageing – L-Cysteine support the synthesis of glutathione which is a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione plays an important role in detoxification resulting in the protection of tissues and organs. Raised glutathione levels decrease muscle damage, increase strength and endurance and shift metabolism from fat production to muscle development. They are critical in helping the body’s first line of defense against infections, disease and illness.
Other benefits – effective in treating fatty liver disease for both alcoholics and non-alcoholics. The sulfur chemical groups help to capture damaging free radicals and heavy metals for elimination from the body. Glutathione is one of the major endogenous antioxidants produced by the cells , participating directly in the neutralisation of free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds. It is highly beneficial to smokers in this way.