Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid that is the basic building block of all proteins. Out of all nine “essential” amino acids known today, lysine is the least abundant. This nutrient was first isolated in 1889 from casein.

As one of the building blocks of protein, lysine is required for growth and development. It is needed to maintain nitrogen balance in the body. Since the body cannot manufacture amino acids on its own, we find other sources for them. Amino acids, such as lysine, are supplied to the body through our diet or supplements.

Health Benefits

There are many health benefits associated with the intake of lysine. The substance appears to aid in the body’s absorption and conservation of calcium. Because of this, lysine supplements may play a role in preventing the bone-loss disorder, otherwise known as osteoporosis.

Since it is incorporated into proteins which are then used by the body, lysine performs a multitude of other functions as well. For one, lysine is reported to have the ability to retard the development of herpes. By interfering with the replication of the herpes virus, this amino acid can therefore help in controlling the development of the disease. This property of lysine encouraged many doctors to recommend its use for people with cold sores or genital herpes.

Like all amino acids, lysine plays a key role in the production of various enzymes, hormones, and disease-fighting antibodies in the body. Researchers today are exploring the role of lysine in lowering down cholesterol levels and enhancing recovery after surgery. In addition, this amino acid is also said to have various physiological benefits on the body, such as improving overall performance among athletes.

Some physicians and dentists believe in the ability of lysine to speed up the healing rate of canker sores. This disease is classified as a type of mouth ulcer that is extremely painful. The origin of the disease is still quite unknown but many believe that it is caused by a virus. Lysine, believed to have healing properties, is used to combat this disease. However, there is few clinical research to support this.

Lysine is most promising as a potential remedy for herpes sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Over the past several decades, extensive research has been made on lysine and its effect on the virus, bringing out exciting results. Arginine, a common amino acid found in chocolate, peanuts, almonds, seeds, cereal grains, gelatins, and raisins, is needed by the herpes virus in order to replicate. In order to gain entrance to cells, arginine has to compete with lysine. This led scientists to conclude that with the presence of lysine in the body, arginine levels are lessened, thus inhibiting the growth of herpes virus.

Lysine supplementation is one way of staving off and reducing the severity of herpes-related cold sores. A clinical trial found out that after six months, lysine is effective in cold sore prevention. In addition, the herpes sores that did develop in the lysine group were milder and tend to heal faster.

Product Information

Lysine supplements are available in tablets or powdered forms. Some drugstores also sell them as a liquid or in capsules.

When using lysine, remember that this amino acid is very sensitive to the effects of food processing, such as dry heat. Its concentration in protein-rich foods, such as legumes, may be reduced if the food has been toasted or roasted.