Adequate lysine is essential for maintaining normal health and supplements may benefit certain people and conditions.
What are the health benefits of lysine?
Possible health benefits of lysine and lysine supplements include improving cold sores, reducing blood pressure, and preventing the symptoms of lysine deficiency.
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids, which are those that the body cannot make and that people need to obtain from dietary sources.
In this article, we discuss lysine and look at the benefits and risks of lysine supplements and how to use them.
Share on Pinterest 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.
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:
- fatigue
- poor concentration
- irritability
- nausea
- red eyes
- hair loss
- anorexia
- inhibited growth
- anemia
- problems with the reproductive system
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
Share on Pinterest 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.
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.
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.
Share on Pinterest 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.
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.
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.
Last medically reviewed on December 17, 2018
- Nutrition / Diet
- Pharmacy / Pharmacist
How we reviewed this article:
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- Compound summary for CID 122198194: (2S)-6-amino-2- azaniumylhexanoate . (n.d.)
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/122198194#section=Top - Compound summary for CID 5962: Lysine. (n.d.)
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-lysine#section=Top - L-lysine. (2007). Alternative Medicine Review , 12(2), 169–172
http://www.altmedrev.com/archive/publications/12/2/169.pdf - L-lysine. (2010, October 15) Retrieved from
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http://healthlibrary.childrenshospitalvanderbilt.org/Search/19,Lysine - Singh, M., Rao, D. M., Pande, S., Battu, S., Dutt, K. R., & Ramesh, M. (2011, January). Medicinal uses of L-lysine: Past and future. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2(4), 637–642
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267817166_Medicinal_Uses_of_L-Lysine_Past_and_Future - Ullrich, S. S., Fitzgerald, P. C. E., Nkamba, I., Steinert, R. E., Horowitz, M., & Feinle-Bisset, C. (2017, July 1). Intragastric lysine lowers the circulating glucose and insulin responses to a mixed-nutrient drink without slowing gastric emptying in healthy adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 147(7), 1275–1281
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/147/7/1275/4743709?searchresult=1 - Vuvor, F., Mohammed, H., Ndanu, T., & Harrison, O. (2017, July 27). Effect of lysine supplementation on hypertensive men and women in selected peri-urban community in Ghana. BMC Nutrition, 3, 67
https://bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6
4 Impressive Health Benefits of Lysine
Lysine is an amino acid that is found mostly in animal products. Though more research is needed, it may help reduce anxiety, prevent cold sores, improve calcium absorption, and promote wound healing.
Lysine is a building block for protein. It’s an essential amino acid because your body cannot make it, so you need to obtain it from food ( 1 ).
It’s important for normal growth and muscle turnover and used to form carnitine, a substance found in most cells of your body. What’s more, lysine helps transport fats across your cells to be burned for energy ( 2 ).
L-lysine is the form of lysine your body can utilize. It’s naturally found in food and is the type used in supplements.
Here are 4 impressive health benefits of lysine.
Cold sores or fever blisters are symptoms of an infection, often appearing on the lip or the corners of your mouth ( 3 ).
They appear as fluid-filled blisters that can cause discomfort, such as tingling, pain, and burning ( 3 ).
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which can hide in your spine. In times of stress or if your immune system is weakened, HSV-1 can trigger the development of a cold sore ( 3 ).
According to some research, lysine supplements may help prevent HSV-1 from replicating and reduce the duration of a cold sore. It’s thought that lysine blocks another amino acid called arginine, which viruses need in order to multiply ( 4 ).
However, studies have turned up mixed results on the effects of lysine on HSV-1.
For example, one review found that supplementing with less than 1 gram (g) of lysine per day was ineffective for preventing cold sores in people who were consuming enough arginine in their diet, but taking doses over 3 g per day was able to improve symptoms of cold sores ( 5 ).
Furthermore, not all studies show that lysine is effective in reducing cold sore occurrence or duration. In fact, one review found insufficient evidence to recommend it for treating cold sores ( 6 ).
summary
Some studies suggest that lysine may help reduce the duration and frequency of cold sores, but the evidence is inconsistent.
Lysine may play a role in reducing anxiety.
One 2003 study found that it blocked receptors involved in stress response. Researchers observed that rats given lysine had reduced rates of stress-induced loose bowel movements ( 7 ).
Another older study in 50 people showed that supplementing with 2.64 g of lysine and arginine lowered stress-induced anxiety and reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol after 1 week ( 8 ).
Similarly, an older study found that adding 4.2 g of lysine to each kilogram (kg), or 2.2 pounds (lbs.), of wheat flour in villages in Syria helped reduce anxiety scores in males with very high stress levels ( 9 ).
After 3 months, consuming the lysine-enriched flour also helped reduce cortisol levels in females ( 9 ).
Lysine may also be able to help people with schizophrenia, a mental disorder that disrupts an individual’s perception of the outside world, resulting in changes in thought and behavior ( 10 ).
Though research is still in its early stages and is limited to mostly older studies, lysine may have the potential to improve schizophrenia symptoms in combination with prescribed medication ( 11 , 12 ).
summary
Lysine may help reduce feelings of anxiety and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in some people. Early research indicates that it may even help improve symptoms in people with schizophrenia.
Lysine may help your body hold on to calcium ( 13 ).
It’s believed that lysine increases calcium absorption in your gut and helps your kidneys to hold on to the mineral ( 14 , 15 ).
An older study in 30 females, including 15 with osteoporosis, found that supplementing with calcium and lysine reduced the loss of calcium in the urine ( 15 ).
Those given 3 g of calcium alone had a progressive increase in calcium in their urine. However, those who also received 400 milligrams (mg) of lysine lost less calcium through their urine ( 15 ).
Lysine appears to protect your bones and may also play a part in controlling where calcium is transported in your body.
For example, it has been shown to prevent the buildup of calcium in blood vessels in rats. This kind of buildup is a risk factor for heart disease ( 14 ).
Still, more high quality, recent research in humans is needed before lysine supplementation can be recommended to support bone or heart health.
summary
Lysine may help you absorb more calcium and reduce the loss of calcium in your urine. It could even reduce the risk of calcium buildup in your blood vessels. However, more high quality, recent research in humans is needed.
Lysine can improve wound healing in your body.
In animal tissue, lysine becomes more active at the site of a wound and helps speed up the repair process ( 16 ).
Lysine is required for the formation of collagen, a protein that acts as a scaffold and helps support and give structure to skin and bones ( 17 , 18 ).
Lysine itself may also act as a binding agent, thereby increasing the number of new cells at a wound. It may even promote the formation of new blood vessels ( 19 ).
In one 2011 study, applying a combination of lysine and hyaluronic acid topically was able to reduce the size of pressure ulcers more effectively than sodium hyaluronate, another medication used to enhance wound healing ( 20 ).
In another 2009 study in 40 rabbits, it was found that taking 21 mg per lb. (47 mg per kg) of body weight of lysine and 23 mg per lb. (50 mg per kg) of body weight of arginine significantly improved blood flow and overall bone healing ( 13 ).
In fact, rabbits that received lysine and arginine had a 2-week reduced healing time compared to the control group ( 13 ).
Wound healing is a complex process that requires different minerals, vitamins, and other factors. Lysine appears to have an invaluable role, and without adequate lysine, wound healing is impaired ( 21 , 22 ).
To date, studies have only looked at oral lysine supplements on wound healing in animals, so more studies in humans are needed. Additionally, it’s unknown whether applying it directly onto wounds could be effective.
summary
Lysine is essential for the formation of collagen, an essential protein that affects wound repair. Some studies in humans and animals indicate that lysine may speed up wound healing and reduce recovery time, but research is still limited.
Lysine — like all amino acids — is used as a building block for protein in your body. These proteins help produce hormones, immune cells, and enzymes.
Lysine may have several benefits in addition to those discussed earlier.
Here are other areas where lysine may benefit your health:
- Cancer: One animal study found that lysine in combination with the antioxidant catechin reduced cancer cell growth in mice ( 23 ).
- Eye health: An older study in rats with diabetes found that lysine supplements could prevent the development of cataracts ( 24 ).
- Diabetes: One 2009 study showed that lysine may help reduce blood sugar response in people with diabetes. However, the connection is still unclear ( 25 ).
- Blood pressure: A study in 50 adults with lysine deficiency and high blood pressure found that lysine supplements significantly reduced blood pressure ( 26 ).
Adequate lysine is essential for maintaining normal health and supplements may benefit certain people and conditions.
summary
Research of lysine is promising, as some evidence indicates that it may have anti-cancer effects, could help improve blood sugar levels, and may reduce blood pressure.
Lysine is found in foods that are naturally high in protein, including meat and dairy products, and also in smaller amounts in plant foods ( 27 ).
Here are some great sources of lysine ( 27 ):
- Meat: beef, chicken, and lamb
- Seafood: mussels, prawns, and oysters
- Fish: salmon, cod, and tuna
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Legumes: soy, kidney beans, and chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds: pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and cashews
If you’re prone to cold sores, taking 1 g of lysine daily or using a lysine-containing gel may be worth a try, but remember that it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional first ( 4 ).
summary
Animal foods, such as meat, fish, and dairy supply the greatest amount of lysine, but you will also find decent amounts in legumes, nuts, and seeds. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are very poor sources of lysine.
Lysine is an essential amino acid with many benefits that range from preventing cold sores to reducing anxiety and promoting wound healing.
As a building block of proteins, it may also have numerous other benefits. Without enough lysine, your body may be unable to produce sufficient or appropriate hormones and immune cells.
Lysine is found in high amounts in animal products, including meat, fish, and dairy. Certain types of legumes, nuts, and seeds can also help increase your intake.
Last medically reviewed on November 15, 2022
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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