L-Cysteine is a non essential amino acid that is found in large quantities in various fruits, vegetables, and in eggs. Scientific studies have shown L-Cysteine to be a tremendous natural hangover helper in recent years. It makes sense when you think about it. I know from personal experience that whenever I would wake up with a hangover (back when I got hangovers, before I started using L-Cysteine before bed) I would always instinctively crave a big greasy breakfast with plenty of eggs. I am sure I am not alone in thinking that. I'd like to take some time to examine exactly why the amino acid is such a great hangover cure and what it can do to help you out.

When you drink alcohol, your body metabolizes it in your liver. A toxic by product of alcohol, acetaldehyde, is produced and lingers in your body until is is converted into a more neutral enzyme and passed through your body. When you drink way too much, your body is flooded with acetaldehyde, which stays with you the next day. Basically, you have poison inside of you. L-Cysteine, in lab studies, has been shown to help break down acetaldehyde quickly, reducing the time you spend feeling hungover. It is this toxic substance that makes you feel terrible when you wake up. In a recent rat study, test animals received a large dose of acetaldehyde (the amount which normally kills half of all animals). Those that received cysteine on top of the acetaldehyde had an 80% survival rate. When thiamine, a b vitamin, was added, all animals ended up surviving the test. Consider those findings when you think about how beneficial cysteine can be for you.

A good analogy is to think of a car. When you put gasoline (alcohol) into your car (your body), smog is produced as a toxic bi-product. L-Cysteine essentially does the equivalent of taking that smog and turning it into clean air.

I try to take B vitamin and other natural substances like milk thistle extract, vitamin C and L Glutamine, before bed after I drink. However, I never ever forget to take Cysteine. It is available at most health food stores and is very affordable. I try to take about a gram and a half before bed with water. It never upsets my stomach and is a great hangover cure when combined with a multi-vitamin and plenty of water. It's a great little secret way to cure a hangover and I would recommend any serious drinkers going out and getting some as soon as possible. You will be shocked when you wake up feeling great.

As a side note, L-Cysteine has been shown to help with lung function and acts as an expectorant, which breaks down mucus build-up in your lungs. Thus, if you like the occasional cigarette with your beer, L-Cysteine may be dually effective during a night of drinking.

L-Cysteine is readily available in most drug stores and natural health markets. A standard capsule dosage is approximately 500 mg. I recommend taking one capsule for every 5 drinks you have during a night, but don't take more than three capsules in one drinking session.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lcysteine-as-a-hangover-cure-1519032.html