What is l-lysine good for?
Role in the immune system
In addition to its protein-building qualities, l-lysine has also been looked at for its part in the immune system, and a good bellwether of how well our immune system is coping is how it deals with the Herpes simplex virus.This virus often manifests itself in the form of cold sores and blisters that appear around the mouth area when our immune system is weakened and cannot keep the virus in check. Studies have looked at l-lysine supplementation and the way the virus replicates, and at how long the cold sores last.
Stress & anxiety
The occurrence of cold sores is often associated with an increase in stress, and L-lysine is thought to play an important role in how we manage stress and anxiety. An animal study performed in 2003 reported that L-lysine can block receptors that are involved in our stress response. The researchers in the study observed that when rats were given L-lysine, they had reduced rates of stress-induced loose bowel movements.A further study the following year by the same researchers found that adding L-lysine supplementation to wheat flour in Syrian villages reduced overall anxiety scores in male participants that had elevated stress levels, while female participants noticed a reduction in cortisol levels.
Role in bone health
L-lysine's role in bone health is two-fold. Firstly, L-lysine is involved in the way in which our body absorbs calcium, and therefore has a positive effect on bone mineralization in aging adults. In addition to that, it also appears in the research on skin and tissue repair, through its part in the formation of collagen, which is a major component of bone structure.When should I take l-lysine?
Although there is no particular time of day that has been found to be best suited for taking L-lysine, it is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, between meals. Specifically, studies show that dietary protein reduces the effectiveness of supplemental L-lysine, so if for whatever reason you must take your L-lysine with food, try aiming for a low-protein meal to get the most out of the L-lysine.
What else pairs well with l-lysine?
Also taken with L-arginine, for bone health and mood
As mentioned above, L-lysine is known to promote bone health. Studies suggest that when L-lysine is combined with l-arginine, it is thought to support bone-building activity and to enhance the production of collagen even further.This is thought to be due to the way in which both amino acids use the same pathways in the body. This same combination has also been documented to regulate hormonal stress responses in humans that suffer from high trait anxiety.
That said, elevated levels of l-arginine could actually lower the level of L-lysine in your body, so it is advised to take both in their recommended doses in order to avoid them from competing with each other for the same pathways.
Also taken with vitamin C and L-proline, for cardiovascular health
You may have heard of a heart-healing protocol devised by the great Linus Pauling that involved taking elevated amounts of L-lysine and l-proline, together with large quantities of vitamin C, for the purpose of addressing arterial plaque in atherosclerosis.Several mechanisms have been proposed for this, but in summarized form, the L-lysine is thought to bind to the lipoproteins from which these plaques are formed and help dissolve them, while the combination of all three supplements is proposed to encourage the formation of new collagen, the structural framework from which healthy arteries are formed, or in this case, repaired and regenerated.
What should I avoid taking l-lysine with?
Avoid taking l-lysine at the same time as calcium
Due to the way in which L-lysine increases how much calcium your body absorbs, it is advisable to avoid taking high doses of calcium, in particular calcium supplements, at the same time as taking L-lysine supplements.What are natural sources of l-lysine?
If you are interested in obtaining your daily l-lysine through your diet, you can often find it in:
Who should avoid taking l-lysine?
Before taking l-lysine supplements, check with your trusted healthcare professional if any of the following apply to you:
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
People with liver or kidney problems
L-lysine supplementation is not recommended for people that suffer from health conditions that affect the liver or kidneys.Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional if you are suffering from any health conditions.
Possible side effects of l-lysine
Possible side effects from taking l-lysine supplements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
If you are experiencing negative side effects from taking l-lysine supplements, stop taking them immediately and reach out to your trusted healthcare professional.
Drug interactions with l-lysine
The medicines listed below are the ones most often named in interaction reports for l-lysine, but it is by no means a comprehensive list:
- Antibiotics
If you are taking any prescription drugs or medication, check with your trusted healthcare professional before taking l-lysine supplements.
Can I take l-lysine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
High-dose lysine has been studied for cold sores rather than for pregnancy, and there's no evidence that a capsule improves pregnancy outcomes, so it is safer to avoid it until further research surfaces.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding, or while attempting to conceive.
What are deficiency symptoms of l-lysine?
Possible signs of l-lysine deficiency may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- There is no established dietary deficiency syndrome for this supplement
This is not an essential vitamin your diet is required to supply, so there is no scurvy-style list of deficiency symptoms. Feeling off after you stop a capsule is not the same as a named deficiency, and that conversation belongs with a trusted doctor.
If you are experiencing abnormal symptoms, reach out to your trusted healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Where should I store l-lysine?
For optimal shelf life, it is recommended to keep l-lysine supplements stored in the cupboard. Always make sure the bottle or container is tightly closed, and kept away from sources of light, heat and humidity.
L-lysine data sources & further reading
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