dark spots2. Increases glutathione levels in the body
Hello. I'm a pharmacist Jinny.
As you get older, you may be worried about the number of blemishes on your face. Melasma and freckles, commonly referred to as 'blemishes', have slightly different areas and shapes, but they all have in common that they are caused by 'excess melanin pigment'.
If you have such a blemish problem, you should pay attention to 'L-cysteine'. This is because research has confirmed that L-cysteine not only reduces whitening and dark spots, but also inhibits the action of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin pigment.
Now, let's take a look at how L-cysteine can help whiten skin and suppress freckles and blemishes through human trials and animal studies.
L-cysteine is a powerful antioxidant produced by the body and one of the constituents of glutathione, the main component of "white jade injection."
In this regard, a human application test was published in the renowned journal J Cosmetics Dermatology in 2022. When 124 female subjects were given 500 mg of L-cysteine and L-glutathione daily for 12 weeks, they were able to significantly reduce the size of facial spots as well as whitening [1].
"L-cysteine 500 mg and L-glutathione 250 mg orally daily for 12 weeks were safe treatments that effectively lightened the skin of Asian women and reduced the size of dark spots on the face."
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant known to scavenge free radicals and toxins in cells. As a result, it is closely related not only to skin brightening, but also to anti-aging.
As mentioned earlier, one of the components of glutathione is cysteine. So, can L-cysteine increase glutathione levels in the body?
In a 2008 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, 37 patients with moderate ulcerative colitis were given N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)* for 4 weeks and found that their glutathione levels in their bodies were restored [2].
"The administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) restored glutathione levels."
As mentioned earlier, blemishes are caused by an excess of melanin pigment, and tyrosinase is a key enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis. Therefore, regulating melanin pigment synthesis by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme is a very important step in preventing blemishes.
In 2004, an animal study was published in Biofactors. In the experimental group where L-cysteine and vitamin E were added to vitamin C, it was found that the reduction of melanin content and inhibition of tyrosinase activity were the most effective [3].
"Simultaneous treatment of vitamin C, vitamin E, and N-acetyl cysteine in B16 cells was most effective in reducing melanin content and inhibiting tyrosinase activity."
Today, we're looking at the skin-related benefits of L-cysteine through research. L-cysteine is a powerful antioxidant that has many other benefits.
According to a study published in the prestigious journal Molecules, L-cysteine can also help strengthen hair. In fact, there are studies that show that it slows down hair loss caused by certain diseases. It also has cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing arterial stiffness and blood pressure, and may act as a powerful antioxidant [4].
While L-cysteine is generally safe, you should be cautious about consuming it if you have an underlying medical condition. It is also said that in diabetics, insulin function may deteriorate. In addition, if you consume too much, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, so it is recommended to stick to your daily intake.
So, I hope you have a healthy day in body and mind. It was Jinny.
[1] Duperray, Joël, Sergheraert, Renaud; Chalothorn, Kunyanatt; Tachalerdmanee, Preeyanuch; Perin, Fabrice (2021). The effects of the oral supplementation of L-Cystine associated with reduced L-Glutathione-GSH on human skin pigmentation: a randomized, double-blinded, benchmark- and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 1-12.
[2] Guijarro, L. G., Mate, J., Gisbert, J. P., Perez-Calle, J. L., Marín-Jimenez, I., Arriaza, E., Olleros, T., Delgado, M., Castillejo, M. S., Prieto-Merino, D., Lara, V. G., & Peña, A. S. (2008). N-acetyl-L-cysteine combined with mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: Randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(18), 2851.
[3] Yoko Fujiwara; Yumiko Sahashi; Mitsumi Aritro; Satoko Hasegawa; Koji Akimoto; Shinji Ninomiya; Yasue Sakaguchi; Yousuke Seyama (2004). Effect of simultaneous administration of vitamin C, L-cysteine and vitamin E on the melanogenesis. Biofactors. 21(1-4), 415–418.
[4] Clemente Plaza, Noelia; Reig García-Galbis, Manuel; Martínez-Espinosa, Rosa (2018). Effects of the Usage of l-Cysteine (l-Cys) on Human Health. Molecules, 23(3), 575.
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