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Lysine is gaining prominence as a key ally for wellbeing. Beyond its well-known benefits for the skin, this amino acid is essential for athletes and people looking to boost their health.
Why is it so important? Find out how it supports the body’s balance, which foods contain it and why it’s considered a natural solution for issues like herpes.
Index
1 Prevents osteoporosis
One of lysine’s strengths is its ability to enhance calcium absorption in the body, reducing the amount lost through urine.
So far, clinical trials with animals have shown that lysine food supplements increase calcium absorption in the body, providing an additional defence against bone loss.
Calcium is an essential substance for bone formation. That’s why the scientific community believes this substance helps prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
However, this effect in treating osteoporosis has not yet been demonstrated in humans.
2 Treats and prevents cold sores
Herpes outbreaks can be incredibly uncomfortable. Many people suffer from them recurrently and know how painful and unsightly they can be. On top of that, they’re very contagious.
Did you know that between 60 and 90% of the population carries the herpes simplex virus type 1? That’s right – and most commonly, cold sores are caused by an infection contracted in early childhood.
Meanwhile, herpes simplex type 2 usually causes genital herpes, though it can also trigger an outbreak around the mouth.
Lysine appears to be effective in managing this condition – a study by the Southern California University of Health Sciences found that 40% of participants saw results just three days after starting treatment, and 87% experienced improvement after six days.
This explains why many topical creams for treating genital warts include lysine, although it’s not generally recommended as a primary treatment. That said, it’s often used in combination with other medications during remission, although its use should always be supervised by a doctor due to possible drug interactions.
3 Reduces anxiety and nervousness
Lysine helps reduce anxiety and nervousness by supporting the production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for emotional wellbeing. It also regulates cortisol levels, the stress hormone, helping to ease feelings of anxiety.
By supporting the nervous system and boosting immune function, lysine acts as a natural ally in coping with stress and promoting a more balanced response to challenging situations.
4 Supports immune system function
Lysine plays a vital role in ensuring your immune system functions at its best. In fact, if your body lacks this amino acid, your immune defences may become compromised.
That’s why you need to ensure your body gets enough of it to protect your health. As mentioned, it’s an amino acid that must be provided either through your diet or with food supplements.
You might be thinking: if I can get it from food, why take a supplement? It’s simple – despite what you may believe, you might not be eating enough lysine-rich foods. You might also have allergies to certain medications or follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. In all these cases, supplementing is recommended.
5 Works in synergy with collagen
One of lysine’s many valued properties is its role in promoting the growth and maintenance of connective tissues. Collagen gives structure to cells and keeps them in top condition.
Lysine, along with proline and vitamin C, contributes to collagen production, helping to preserve it and block harmful enzymes.
Who is it for?
You can take lysine to support many aspects of your life – there’s no doubt about that. However, there are specific situations where supplementation is especially recommended:
- For managing metabolic disorders
- To address lysine deficiency
- To improve athletic and sports performance
- To boost calcium levels in the body
- To reduce stress and anxiety
Natural sources of lysine
To boost your lysine intake and enjoy its benefits, try including the following lysine-rich foods in your diet:
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, tempeh
- Nuts, grains, and seeds: cashews, quinoa, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, pistachios
- Vegetables: leeks, peppers, spinach, beetroot
- Fruits: pears, mangoes, avocados, apricots
- Animal-based proteins: eggs, milk, yoghurt, fish, chicken, beef and pork
L-Lysine supplements
At HSN, we offer L-Lysine powder from the RawSeries range – a vegan supplement derived from plant fermentation that provides this essential amino acid, which the body cannot produce on its own. Ideal for vegetarians and vegans.
We also offer L-Lysine in capsule form, with each capsule providing 500mg of the amino acid.
L-Lysine 500mg by EssentialSeries
Are there any side effects?
Possible side effects of lysine include stomach pain and diarrhoea, particularly when the intake exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Lysine is an amino acid and, as such, it should be consumed as part of your diet regardless of your medical condition. It’s advisable to consult a doctor if you’re considering taking an L-Lysine supplement.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding? The same rule applies – be sure to consult your healthcare provider first.
References:
- Uchiyama R, Kupkova K, Shetty SJ, Linford AS, Pray-Grant MG, Wagar LE, Davis MM, Haque R, Gaultier A, Mayo MW, Grant PA, Petri WA Jr, Bekiranov S, Auble DT. Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation signature associated with human undernutrition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Nov 12. pii: 201722125. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1722125115.
- Dong W, Zhu X, Zhou X, Yang Y, Yan X, Sun L, Shang D. Potential role of a series of lysine/leucine-rich antimicrobial peptide in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Biochem J. 2018 Oct 29. pii: BCJ20180483. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20180483.
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