Cysteine is important for retinal health maintenance, but deficiency can result from an imbalance in the intestinal bacterial flora. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) supplementation provides a stable form of cysteine with antioxidant activity. Like selenium and riboflavin, it increases production of glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants in the eye.
Glutathione prevents lipid peroxidation and oxidation of sulfhydryl groups on proteins. Retinal cells grown in-vitro without glutathione become weak, while those provided glutathione remain healthy. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide ) and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) also supply usable organic sulfur.
A daily dose of 100 mg of NAC is recommended.
