Cysteine hydrochloride is an amino acid whose primary function in the body is to help build protein.
Hydrochloric acids are used to convert insoluble amines like L-cysteine into water-soluble compounds. There are several reasons why this reaction is useful and this particular method using hydrochloric acid is often used to make medications. There are more than 200 drugs that utilize hydrochloride salts. For example, medications made this way are more stable and have a longer shelf life. Also, compared to L-cysteine on it’s own, L-cysteine hydrochloride is broken down and absorbed quickly in the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption time is usually 15-30 minutes.
L-cysteine is a conditionally-essential amino acids. It is usually made in the body but under some circumstances it may need to be digested in the food we eat, or supplemented. Some infants, seniors or persons with metabolic disorders may have to supplement with L-cysteine hydrochloride or eat diets rich in amino acid sources. The supplement is also used to improve the health of skin and hair.
While there are many healthy benefits to having a diet rich in this nutrient, L-cysteine hydrochloride as a supplement is sometimes used to prevent or treat symptoms of angina and possibly even HIV/AIDS. Though not conclusive, L-cysteine hydrochloride may help relieve some symptoms of chronic bronchitis. In clinical studies where patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were given L-cysteine hydrochloride, flare-ups were reduced by 40%, while maintaining their regular therapies.
Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is pain felt in the chest caused by restriction of blood flow due to an obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries. As we age, so do our all our tissues including those that comprise our cardiovascular system. During the aging process, our arteries and veins will be exposed to many proteins and immune cells flowing and pumping through our blood vessels. Sometimes these proteins and cells can cause tiny nicks and cuts when they bounce off vessel walls causing minor tissue damage.
This tissue damage will signal the immune system to react and bring fluids, proteins and cells to the area in order to repair the tissue. Two adverse reactions may results from the immune systems response to damaged tissue: inflammation and scar tissue. When the body repairs damaged tissue, it typically leaves behind more tissue than needed in the form of scar tissue. Scar tissue is less elastic than the original tissue making the resulting blood vessels less elastic.
- – May Raise Levels of Homocysteine (Linked to Heart Disease)
- – Excessive Dosages (>7 Grams) May Cause Toxicity
- – May Cause Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea in Some Cases
- – Should Not Be Used by Individuals with Cystinuria
- – Should Not be Used with Immunosuppressant Drugs
Source: Nootritment, http://nootriment.com/l-cysteine-hydrochloride/