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Lysine is an essential amino acid that is not synthesized in adequate
amounts by the body, so it must be obtained from dietary sources.
Lysine furnishes the structural components for the synthesis of
carnitine, which promotes fatty acid synthesis within the cell.
It is particularly important for proper growth. Lysine also regulates
calcium absorption and plays an important role in the formation
of collagen.
This amino acid aids in the production of antibodies, hormones,
and enzymes, and helps to build muscle protein, it is good for those
recovering from surgery and sports injuries. It also lowers high
serum triglyceride levels.
A vegetarian diet may not provide sufficient lysine. Among protein
sources, plants often contain insufficient sources of lysine. Lysine
is the limiting amino acid of many cereals. In many areas of the
world where diets are grain-based, this becomes important as a lysine
deficiency can create a negative nitrogen balance and lead to kidney
stones.
Lysine has the capacity for fighting cold sores and herpesviruses.
Taking supplemental L-lysine, together with vitamin C with bioflavonoids,
can effectively fight and/or prevent herpes outbreaks, especially
if foods containing the amino acid arginine are avoided.
Supplemental L-lysine also may decrease acute alcohol intoxication.
Some studies have found lysine of potential benefit in treating
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, asthma, migraines, nasal polyps,
and postepisiotomy pain.
Lysine is an essential amino acid, and so cannot be manufactured
in the body. It is therefore vital that adequate amounts be included
in the diet.
- Asthma: LAS, when administered by inhalation, has been shown
to protect against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction.
- Herpes: Supplementation may improve recovery speed and suppress
recurrences of infections.
- Migraine: Treatment with a combination of LAS and metoclopramide
may be effective.
- Nasal polyps: Recent research suggests that LAS may prevent
relapses of nasal polyps.
- Postepisiotomy pain: 125 mg/day of LC was found to reduce postepisiotomy
pain in primiparous patients with moderate to severe postepisiotomy
pain.
Deficiency: Lysine deficiency may be characterized
by fatigue, nausea, dizziness, appetite loss, emotional agitation,
decreased antibody formation, decreased immunity, slow growth, anemia,
reproductive disorders, pneumonia, acidosis, and bloodshot eyes.
Sources: Generally, lysine is found in meat, particularly
red meats, cheeses, poultry, sardines, nuts, eggs, and soybeans.
The most concentrated sources are torula yeast, dried and salted
cod, soybean protein isolate, soybean protein concentrate, Parmesan
cheese, pork loin (excluding fat), dried and frozen tofu, defatted
and low-fat soybean flour.
Herb Sources: Fenugreek seed, parsley, spirulina
Precautions: Lysine appears to be nontoxic. L-lysine
may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Dosage Ranges and Duration of Administration: The
following are the recommended dietary allowances, according to the
National Research Council:
- Birth to 4 months: 103 mg/kg/day
- 5 months to 2 years: 69 mg/kg/day
- 3 to 12 years: 44 mg/kg/day
- Adults and teenagers: 12 mg/kg/day
Based on obligatory amino acid losses (including data from amino
acid tracer studies), it has been suggested that adults need 30
mg/kg/day.
Nutritional doses are 1 to 3 g per day.
INTERACTIONS
No clinically significant interactions between lysine and
conventional medications are known to have been reported in the
literature to date.
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