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6h ago

Cysteine Depletion in Mice Triggers 30% Weight Loss in One Week

A Nature study reveals how removing cysteine disrupts energy metabolism, activates stress responses, and forces rapid fat burning, though human applications face significant challenges.

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Cysteine is found in almost all foods, and is particularly prevalent in meats, poultry, eggs, lentils and some nuts
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Overview

  • Genetically engineered mice lacking the enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase and fed a cysteine-free diet lost 30% of their body weight within one week.
  • Cysteine depletion disrupts oxidative phosphorylation and depletes coenzyme A (CoA), forcing the body to burn fat stores for energy due to impaired carbohydrate metabolism.
  • The process activates integrated and oxidative stress responses, increasing levels of the stress hormone GDF15, which suppresses appetite and accelerates weight loss.
  • This study is the first to identify cysteine's unique role among essential amino acids in driving weight loss, with effects far exceeding the removal of other amino acids like methionine.
  • Researchers caution that translating these findings to humans is not immediate, as cysteine is ubiquitous in food and its elimination could pose risks to organ health.