Lysine

Overview

Editor’s Note:While peer-reviewed scientific studies on this dietary supplement are lacking, many practitioners and individuals report observational and anectodal benefits from its use. Use of this dietary supplement is on the rise. For this reason, NHIondemand has provided this monograph using the information that is currently available. As more science-based research becomes available, this monograph will be updated to include that material.

Lysine is an essential amino acid that occurs in high concentrations in muscle tissue. It is needed for growth and helps to maintain nitrogen balance in the body. The metabolism of lysine is dependent on a variety of other nutrients including vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, glutamic acid, and iron.

Dosage Info

Dosage Range

500mg to 4 grams daily.

Most Common Dosage

500mg, 2 times a day.

Dosage Forms

Capsules, tablets, and powder.

Adult RDI

None established

Adult ODA

None established

RDA

• Adults 12 years and older: 840mg or 12mg/kg body weight
• Children 1-12years: 44mg/kg
• Infants up to 12 months: 97mg/kg

Interactions and Depletions

Interactions

• arginine

Active Forms

Lysine.

Absorption

Like other amino acids, lysine is broken down from proteins in the gut and then absorbed from the intestinal tract.

Toxicities & Precautions

General

There is no known toxicity associated with lysine.

Functions in the Body

Growth and Development:

Lysine is an amino acid that is essential for normal growth and development. Children’s needs are 3 to 4 times greater than adults, while infants’ needs in the first 3 to 6 months are even greater.

Osteoporosis:

Lysine influences calcium absorption and hence, it may help to prevent osteoporosis. It also reportedly enhances deposition of calcium into the bone matrix.

Dental Caries:

Lysine may also help to reduce the incidence of dental caries.

Energy Production:

Lysine is converted to acetyl CoA, which is a critical component in carbohydrate metabolism and the production of energy. Lysine is also the precursor of the amino acid carnitine, which aids in transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production and other metabolic functions.

Clinical Applications

Angina Pectoris

An individual with advanced coronary artery disease, who suffered from severe angina that was not controlled by other medications, experienced a dramatic amelioration of symptoms by taking a daily combination of 6 grams of ascorbic acid and 5 grams of lysine. (1) Lysine may bind with and remove lipoprotein(a) from plaque deposits, thereby reducing the thickening of the artery and increasing blood flow. (2)

Herpes Simplex

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients given 1,000mg of lysine 3 times daily for 6 months experienced fewer herpes outbreaks, had a substantial reduction in the severity of symptoms, and a shortened healing time. (3) In a survey of 1,543 individuals who suffer from either cold sores, or genital herpes, 88 percent considered supplemental lysine an effective form of treatment for herpes infection. (4) It has been suggested that the herpes virus utilizes the amino acid arginine to replicate itself. (5) Since lysine and arginine competitively inhibit each other, high doses of lysine may reduce the frequency and severity of herpes. (6)

Osteoporosis

Lysine can enhance intestinal calcium absorption and improve the renal conservation of calcium that has been absorbed. Lysine’s ability to affect calcium transport in both intestine and kidney was first demonstrated in tissue cultures, (7) and subsequently in humans. (8)

Symptoms and Causes of Deficiency

Symptoms of lysine deficiency include depressed growth, tiredness, fatigue, poor appetite, and weight loss.

Dietary Sources

The best food sources containing lysine include fish, chicken, beef, lamb, wheat germ, milk, cottage cheese, and brewer’s yeast.

References

1. Pauling L. Case Report: Lysine/Ascorbate-related Amelioration of Angina Pectoris. J Orthomolecular Med. 1991;6:144-46.
2. View Abstract: Gurfinkel EP, Altman R, Scazziota A. Fast platelet suppression by lysine acetylsalicylate in chronic stable coronary patients. Potential clinical impact over regular aspirin for coronary syndromes. Clin Cardiol. Sep2000;23(9):697-700.
3. View Abstract: Griffith RS, et al. Success of L-lysine Therapy in Frequently Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection. Treatment and Prophylaxis. Dermatologica. 1987;175(4):183-90.
4. View Abstract: Walsh DE, et al. Subjective Response to Lysine in the Therapy of Herpes Simplex. J Antimicrob Chemother. Nov1983;12(5):489-96.
5. Inglis VB. Requirement of Arginine for the Replication of Herpes Virus. J Gen Virol. Jul1968;3(1):9-17.
6. View Abstract: Docherty JJ, Pollock JJ. Inactivation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by synthetic histidine peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Oct1987;31(10):1562-6.
7. View Abstract: Civitelli R, et al. Effect of L-lysine on Cytosolic Calcium Homeostasis in Cultured Human Normal Fibroblasts. Calcif Tissue Int. Sep1989;45(3):193-97.
8. View Abstract: Civitelli R, Villareal DT, Agnusdei D, et al. Dietary L-lysine and Calcium Metabolism in Humans. Nutrition. Nov1992;8(6):400-05.