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What Are The Interactions Between Cysteine And Homocysteine?
Question: Good day.
I was doing some reading on the relationship between cysteine and homocysteine, and came across this interesting quote from the University of Maryland Medical Center website: “Very high doses (more than 7 grams) of cysteine may be toxic to human cells and may even lead to death.”
Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/cysteine
I take a colostrum product which has 4 grams cysteine in every tablespoon, and many individuals take multiple tablespoons throughout the day. Do you know of a way to verify whether the statement on site above was limited to some cysteine isolate or synthetic cysteine, or if even natural cysteine found in colostrum at amounts greater than 7 grams/day can be toxic?
I was doing some reading on the relationship between cysteine and homocysteine, and came across this interesting quote from the University of Maryland Medical Center website: “Very high doses (more than 7 grams) of cysteine may be toxic to human cells and may even lead to death.”
Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/cysteine
I take a colostrum product which has 4 grams cysteine in every tablespoon, and many individuals take multiple tablespoons throughout the day. Do you know of a way to verify whether the statement on site above was limited to some cysteine isolate or synthetic cysteine, or if even natural cysteine found in colostrum at amounts greater than 7 grams/day can be toxic?
Brief Answer:
Statement is correct, consult a dietitian to fix this dilemma of dosages
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Cysteine is a basic building block of amino acid and two cysteines together make one cystine. Also the article is about interaction of N-acetylcysteine medication with food supplements containing cysteine.
The statement is pretty correct. more than 7 gm reaching the systemic circulation is neurotoxic.
Now the colostrum supplements you mentioned may contain 4 grams of cysteine but not all that cystine gets absorbed and reach the system, plus its use alone is different story and its use together with N acetylcysteine is different. You should ask your dietitian who recommended this colostrum product and let them have a dose calculated for you as per your body needs and requirements.
If a supplement contains 4 gram of cysteine in one table spoon, then that is pretty much for sure. As Nacetyle cysteine is in milligrams. I am sure you may be mis considering grams and they might actually be milligrams.
Nut shell, 7 gm per day is the ultimate intake and its intake together with N acetyle cysteine in guise of some food supplements is more dangerous and never advised unless supervised.
Let your doctor have a dose adjustment and decide what to take, what not to and how much to take.
I hoep it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Statement is correct, consult a dietitian to fix this dilemma of dosages
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Cysteine is a basic building block of amino acid and two cysteines together make one cystine. Also the article is about interaction of N-acetylcysteine medication with food supplements containing cysteine.
The statement is pretty correct. more than 7 gm reaching the systemic circulation is neurotoxic.
Now the colostrum supplements you mentioned may contain 4 grams of cysteine but not all that cystine gets absorbed and reach the system, plus its use alone is different story and its use together with N acetylcysteine is different. You should ask your dietitian who recommended this colostrum product and let them have a dose calculated for you as per your body needs and requirements.
If a supplement contains 4 gram of cysteine in one table spoon, then that is pretty much for sure. As Nacetyle cysteine is in milligrams. I am sure you may be mis considering grams and they might actually be milligrams.
Nut shell, 7 gm per day is the ultimate intake and its intake together with N acetyle cysteine in guise of some food supplements is more dangerous and never advised unless supervised.
Let your doctor have a dose adjustment and decide what to take, what not to and how much to take.
I hoep it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX Another question I have here is this: I have elevated homocysteine levels, and I'm wondering if taking higher amounts of cysteine can further elevate homocysteine levels by any means.
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
Homocysteine is a homologue of cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge (-CH2-). It is biosynthesized from methionine by the removal of its terminal Cε methyl group. Homocysteine can be recycled into methionine or converted into cysteine with the aid of certain B-vitamins.
So yes taking more cysteine means more homocysteine. But rate limiting steps are enzymes B 6 and B12 mostly. Stay in reference range of recommended dietary intake and you wont have a problem. Also keep taking vitaimin supplements to prevent increasing levels of homocysteine as we all know how lethal homocysteine can be.
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
Homocysteine is a homologue of cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge (-CH2-). It is biosynthesized from methionine by the removal of its terminal Cε methyl group. Homocysteine can be recycled into methionine or converted into cysteine with the aid of certain B-vitamins.
So yes taking more cysteine means more homocysteine. But rate limiting steps are enzymes B 6 and B12 mostly. Stay in reference range of recommended dietary intake and you wont have a problem. Also keep taking vitaimin supplements to prevent increasing levels of homocysteine as we all know how lethal homocysteine can be.
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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