Possible health benefits of lysine and lysine supplements include improving cold sores, reducing blood pressure, and preventing the symptoms of lysine deficiency.
In this article, we discuss lysine and look at the benefits and risks of lysine supplements and how to use them.
What is lysine?
Lysine supplements are available in liquid form.
Lysine, also called L-lysine, is an amino acid that is necessary for many bodily functions. People describe amino acids as the building blocks of protein because they combine with other compounds to form this macronutrient.
The medical community defines lysine as an essential amino acid because, unlike some other amino acids, the body cannot synthesize it. As a result, people need to include it in their diet.
Health benefits of lysine
The human body needs lysine for healthy functioning. It is a crucial component of proteins that play a role in helping body tissue grow and recover from damage. Other benefits of lysine include:
- helping the body absorb calcium, iron, and zinc
- promoting collagen growth
- helping produce enzymes, antibodies, and hormones
- supporting the immune system
When people do not get enough lysine, they may experience the following symptoms:
Below, we discuss the possible health benefits of lysine supplements.
Treating herpes
Lysine might help control the herpes virus. As a result, lysine supplements may reduce the number and frequency of cold sore outbreaks, for which the herpes simplex type 1 virus is responsible.
Lysine can also help with the treatment of genital herpes. Some sources recommend that people with a history of herpes infections take 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) of lysine supplements a day.
Lowering blood pressure
According to one small-scale study, lysine can help reduce high blood pressure in people whose dietary intake of this amino acid is insufficient. However, more research is necessary before experts can determine whether or not lysine is an effective treatment for high blood pressure.
Treating diabetes
The results of a small study on 12 healthy volunteers suggest that lysine can slow the rise in blood glucose levels after eating. This discovery could lead to effective treatments for people with diabetes, but there is still a need for more research.
Other benefits
Due to the functions that lysine supports in the body, researchers are interested in the potential of lysine supplements for:
- preventing loss of lean muscle mass and mobility issues in older adults
- relieving anxiety
- preventing bone loss and osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium
- promoting the healthy growth of skin
- treating shingles
- moderating blood pressure
- preventing plaque buildup in arteries
- supporting hair growth
- building muscle in bodybuilders
- helping athletes recover from intense workouts
Sources of lysine
Spirulina is popular as an ingredient in green juices or smoothies.
Lysine is present in many different foods. The primary sources are animal products, such as meat and dairy products. For vegetarians and vegans, legumes and wheat germ are good sources of this amino acid.
The following foods will help people meet their daily recommended intake of lysine:
- red meat
- chicken
- eggs
- fish, such as cod or sardines
- beans
- lentils
- Parmesan
- cottage cheese
- wheat germ
- nuts
- soybeans
- brewer’s yeast
- spirulina, a type of algae that manufacturers compress and sell in tablet or powder form
Most people, including vegetarians, get enough lysine from their usual diet and do not need to take supplements.
Side effects
Taking lysine supplements is very safe and does not seem to cause many side effects. Most people can take a daily dose of up to 3 grams (g) of lysine without any side effects.
Increasing the dosage of lysine to 10–15 g a day may result in digestive issues, such as:
There are reports of an association between lysine supplements and kidney problems, and studies in animals suggest that lysine supplements may increase the risk of gallstones and higher cholesterol.
How to use and dosage
People usually take lysine by mouth, but they can also apply it to the skin, for instance, to treat cold sores.
Experts believe that lysine is most effective when people take it with water on an empty stomach.
Researchers estimate that a 70 kilogram (kg) person needs around 800–3,000 mg of lysine per day. A person’s body weight affects how much they need as follows:
- 12 mg/kg of body weight for adults
- 44 mg/kg for children 11 to 12 years old
- 97 mg/kg for infants 3 to 6 months old
In the United States and other developed countries, most people get enough lysine without needing to make adjustments to their diet. However, people who do not eat animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, should ensure that they are getting enough lysine from plant sources.
People recovering from burns or other severe injuries and individuals doing frequent, high-intensity workouts may benefit from a higher-than-average daily intake of lysine.
Experts continue to research effective dosages for clinical purposes. Some studies have shown benefits for doses of 100 mg to 4 g per day.
People who use this amino acid to boost their fitness workouts may obtain greater benefits if they take it before sleep or exercise.
Drug and chemical interactions
Lysine can interact with antibiotics.
Lysine interacts with arginine, which is an amino acid that supports the circulatory system. Taking large quantities of lysine may reduce the body’s ability to move arginine through the system.
Lysine may also interact with a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides, potentially resulting in kidney damage. Doctors usually give these antibiotics, which include streptomycin and neomycin, by injection to treat serious infections.
As lysine increases the absorption of calcium, people should monitor how much calcium they take when they use lysine supplements.
Risks
Doctors do not recommend lysine supplements for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People taking lysine supplements should monitor their cholesterol levels due to the potential link with higher cholesterol.
Anyone with kidney or liver problems should avoid taking lysine supplements.
Summary
Lysine is an essential amino acid. It is one of the building blocks of proteins and is necessary for human health. The body does not make lysine on its own, but most people take in enough through their diet to meet basic health needs. Lysine has very few known side effects.
Scientific data on some lysine benefits are not yet conclusive. However, many people are exploring the use of lysine supplements, particularly in athletes and people who do not eat animal products. It is best to discuss the use of any supplement with a doctor.