Product Image

L-Cysteine 500 mg

NOW
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(18851 ratings)
Vitamin B6 10 mg
Cysteine 500 mg
Product Image
Score 85.0

A highly effective and well-priced L-Cysteine supplement from a reputable brand, featuring a supportive dose of Vitamin B6. It excels in supporting detoxification, skin, and hair health, backed by strong user reviews.

Quantity: 100 Tablet(s)Servings size: 1 Tablet(s) (100 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Energy
Brain Health
Mood Support
General Health
Immunity

Score 85.0

A highly effective and well-priced L-Cysteine supplement from a reputable brand, featuring a supportive dose of Vitamin B6. It excels in supporting detoxification, skin, and hair health, backed by strong user reviews.

Analysis

NOW L-Cysteine 500 mg is a well-formulated supplement designed to leverage the benefits of L-Cysteine, a semi-essential amino acid, and Vitamin B6. L-Cysteine is crucial for the synthesis of glutathione, the body's 'master antioxidant,' and keratin, a primary structural protein found in hair, skin, and nails. The inclusion of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) is strategic, as it acts as a cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions, including those involved in amino acid metabolism and the transsulfuration pathway, which supports cysteine and glutathione production. The 500mg dose of L-Cysteine is standard and therapeutically relevant, while 10mg of B6 is sufficient for its supporting role. This product excels in its primary functions related to antioxidant defense, detoxification, and the structural integrity of hair and skin, making it a reliable choice for these specific health goals.

Pros
  • Contains a clinically relevant and effective dose of L-Cysteine (500mg) for glutathione and keratin synthesis.
  • Includes Vitamin B6, a crucial cofactor that enhances the body's utilization of L-Cysteine and supports overall metabolic processes.
  • Manufactured by NOW, a highly reputable brand known for quality, purity, and rigorous testing.
  • Excellent value with a competitive price per serving and a large number of servings (100).
  • Very high review count with overwhelmingly positive feedback, indicating widespread user satisfaction and perceived efficacy.
Cons
  • Uses Pyridoxine Hydrochloride for Vitamin B6, which is effective but some individuals may prefer the more bioavailable form, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P).
  • While L-Cysteine supports glutathione production, some users might find N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to be a more direct and readily absorbable precursor for glutathione synthesis.
  • As a targeted supplement, it may not provide comprehensive benefits for all health goals without additional supplementation, particularly for energy or general mood support.
$12.10($0.12 per serving)
Amazon
$ 19.65
Pure Formulas
$ 12.10
Daily Vita
$ 12.70
iHerb
$ 14.65
Vitacost
$ 12.49
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 60 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 10 mg
L-Cysteine Hydrochloride 500 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Kosher Dairy Free
Categories
Cysteine 85.0
Delivering 500mg of L-Cysteine Hydrochloride per serving, this product offers a potent and widely recognized dose for supporting glutathione production, keratin formation, and various metabolic functions.
Vitamin B6 75.0
The product provides 10mg of Vitamin B6 as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, a standard and effective form that adequately supports the cofactor roles of L-Cysteine metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, though some prefer the P-5-P form for bioavailability.
Goals
Detoxification 90.0
This product excels in detoxification support as L-Cysteine is a direct and essential precursor for glutathione, the body's primary antioxidant and detoxifying agent, crucial for liver health and removing toxins.
Hair Health 90.0
As a primary constituent of keratin, the main protein forming hair strands, L-Cysteine is directly instrumental in supporting hair strength, growth, and overall structural integrity and health.
Skin Health 85.0
L-Cysteine is a fundamental building block of keratin, a major structural protein in skin, promoting its strength and elasticity. Glutathione, supported by L-Cysteine, also helps protect skin cells from oxidative damage and environmental stressors.
85 Value

B-50

NOW
4.7
★★★★★
(30076 ratings)
For nearly the same price per serving (10 vs 11), this NOW B-50 complex provides 50mg of Vitamin B6, five times the amount in the original product, along with other essential B vitamins. This offers significantly better value if the user benefits from broader B-vitamin support for energy, metabolism, and nerve function.
82 Value

Super Stress B-Complex with Vitamin C

Swanson
4.7
★★★★★
(2248 ratings)
This Swanson product offers a B-complex with Vitamin C for a lower price per serving (8 vs 11), including 25mg of Vitamin B6. While it doesn't contain L-Cysteine, its comprehensive B-vitamin profile and added Vitamin C deliver excellent value for general health, energy, and stress support.
80 Value

B-50 Complex

21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(8446 ratings)
At a lower price per serving (8 vs 11), this B-50 Complex from 21st Century provides 50mg of Vitamin B6, a substantial increase over the original product's B6 content. It offers good value for those seeking a more potent and balanced B-vitamin supplement to support various metabolic functions and energy levels.
90 Performance

P-5-P (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 40 mg Double Strength

Swanson
4.8
★★★★★
(1062 ratings)
This alternative features a more bioavailable form of Vitamin B6, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P), which is the active coenzyme form directly utilized by the body. This makes it a 'better' option for those seeking maximal B6 efficacy, especially for neurotransmitter support and metabolic functions, despite lacking L-Cysteine.
88 Performance

L-Cysteine Powder

Source Naturals
4.3
★★★★★
(160 ratings)
This alternative offers a significantly higher dose of L-Cysteine (900mg per serving) in a flexible powder form, allowing for customized dosing. For individuals requiring higher therapeutic doses of L-Cysteine, this product is 'better' due to its potency and adaptability, although it lacks B6 and the price per single serving is high, the overall cost per gram can be favorable for high-dose users.
87 Performance

B-Complex '100'

Solgar
4.7
★★★★★
(446 ratings)
This product provides a comprehensive B-complex with 100mg of Vitamin B6 (significantly higher than the original's 10mg), likely offering a full spectrum of B vitamins. For overall energy, brain health, and mood support, a complete B-complex is often superior, making this a 'better' alternative for addressing a wider range of the original product's stated goals related to B vitamins.
80 Budget

B-6 100 mg

NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(6041 ratings)
This alternative offers a significantly higher dose of Vitamin B6 (100mg vs 10mg) at a considerably lower price per serving (4 vs 11). While it lacks L-Cysteine, it provides excellent value for those primarily seeking B6's general health, energy, and mood benefits.
85 Budget

Vitamin B-6 50 mg

Nature's Way
4.8
★★★★★
(1720 ratings)
This product provides Vitamin B6 in the more bioavailable Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (P-5-P) form, which can be more effective for some individuals, at a much lower price per serving (6 vs 11). It offers higher B6 potency and a preferred form compared to the original, making it a cost-effective choice for B6 benefits.
75 Budget

Folic Acid B6 & B12

Mason Natural
4.8
★★★★★
(2530 ratings)
Offering 50mg of Vitamin B6 along with Folic Acid and B12 for a lower price per serving (6 vs 11), this alternative provides broader B-vitamin support. It's a good value for those looking to address B6 deficiency and general B-vitamin needs more comprehensively and affordably.
85 Value

B-50

NOW
4.7
★★★★★
(30076 ratings)
For nearly the same price per serving (10 vs 11), this NOW B-50 complex provides 50mg of Vitamin B6, five times the amount in the original product, along with other essential B vitamins. This offers significantly better value if the user benefits from broader B-vitamin support for energy, metabolism, and nerve function.
82 Value

Super Stress B-Complex with Vitamin C

Swanson
4.7
★★★★★
(2248 ratings)
This Swanson product offers a B-complex with Vitamin C for a lower price per serving (8 vs 11), including 25mg of Vitamin B6. While it doesn't contain L-Cysteine, its comprehensive B-vitamin profile and added Vitamin C deliver excellent value for general health, energy, and stress support.
80 Value

B-50 Complex

21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(8446 ratings)
At a lower price per serving (8 vs 11), this B-50 Complex from 21st Century provides 50mg of Vitamin B6, a substantial increase over the original product's B6 content. It offers good value for those seeking a more potent and balanced B-vitamin supplement to support various metabolic functions and energy levels.
90 Performance

P-5-P (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 40 mg Double Strength

Swanson
4.8
★★★★★
(1062 ratings)
This alternative features a more bioavailable form of Vitamin B6, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P), which is the active coenzyme form directly utilized by the body. This makes it a 'better' option for those seeking maximal B6 efficacy, especially for neurotransmitter support and metabolic functions, despite lacking L-Cysteine.
88 Performance

L-Cysteine Powder

Source Naturals
4.3
★★★★★
(160 ratings)
This alternative offers a significantly higher dose of L-Cysteine (900mg per serving) in a flexible powder form, allowing for customized dosing. For individuals requiring higher therapeutic doses of L-Cysteine, this product is 'better' due to its potency and adaptability, although it lacks B6 and the price per single serving is high, the overall cost per gram can be favorable for high-dose users.
87 Performance

B-Complex '100'

Solgar
4.7
★★★★★
(446 ratings)
This product provides a comprehensive B-complex with 100mg of Vitamin B6 (significantly higher than the original's 10mg), likely offering a full spectrum of B vitamins. For overall energy, brain health, and mood support, a complete B-complex is often superior, making this a 'better' alternative for addressing a wider range of the original product's stated goals related to B vitamins.