Lysine Supplement Health Benefits
Updated Sep. 03rd, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Top Health Benefits of A Lysine Supplement
- Discover Lysine Supplement Varieties & Formats
- Potential Side Effects & Key Considerations
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (21)
The amino acids that the body cannot produce and need to be taken in through the diet, are called essential. Lysine is one of these amino acids and should be taken as a supplement or through dietary choices. Lysine plays an important role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Thus it builds muscle (athletic enhancement) and rebuilds muscle after periods of illness or inactivity. It is also a component of connective tissue and brain chemicals.
Top Health Benefits of A Lysine Supplement
Lysine is involved in growth and bone development because it increases the absorption and deposition of calcium. Lysineand another amino acid, methionine, form carnitine. Carnitine helps cells use fats for energy production.
By competing with arginine for absorption, lysine limits the reproduction of herpes virus and prevents herpes outbreaks (cold sores). Lysine improves cardiovascular health by removing components of atherosclerotic plaques. It has been shown to increase the diameter of vessels and improve blood flow. Natural health practitioners for angina, poor circulation, herpes simplex, osteoporosis, improved athletic performance, convalescence and high triglyceride levels recommend lysine.
Discover Lysine Supplement Varieties & Formats
The biologically active form of lysine is L-lysine. It is commonly found in capsules. Lysine and arginine compete for absorption so supplements of these amino acids should be taken at different times. It is often combined with vitamins and anti-viral agents for the prevention of herpes outbreaks. Take amino acid supplements at least 1/2 hour before or after a meal to maximize their absorption. If you take an individual amino acid supplement for longer than one month, add an amino acid complex to the protocol to prevent the deficiency of other amino acids.
Potential Side Effects & Key Considerations
While lysine in the diet is considered safe, excessive doses may cause gallstones. There have also been reports of renal dysfunction, including Fanconi syndrome and renal failure. High arginine intake will lower lysine levels. Individuals with kidney disease should use lysine cautiously.
Talk to your doctor before taking supplemental lysine if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Lysine can help treat cold sores!?! I never knew this! Thank you NN for this informative article. I will definitely give this a try. I'd much rather use natural remedies.
This is a great article. Natural health & Lysine have so many uses. I take Lysine to help with cold sore outbreaks because they are both uncomfortable and embarrassing. I love there's a natural way to support this issue.
Hello Ben,
We're glad you enjoyed this article on Lysine and that you could learn more about a supplement that you rely on so much. Lysine has great properties to support cold sore outbreaks. If you'd like to learn about other supplements that may also further help, check out this article too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/cold-sores/
Stay healthy & well!
I suffer from cold sores and have tried it all, I didn't know Lysine could help with cold sores, definitely trying this!
I'm so glad I discovered Lysine, it's helped with my cold sore outbreaks tremendously. This article is informative and I enjoyed learning about the other benefits of this supplement that I take.
Hello Clara,
So happy to hear that you've found a solution to support your health concern. This is one of our more popular articles and we're glad you could learn more about the supplement you take, it's important to fully understand what we're putting in our bodies.
Take care & stay healthy!
I really enjoyed this article because I didn't know what else Lysine was beneficial for. I knew it helped cold sores, but it was interesting to learn its other benefits as well.
Hello Lisa,
Thank you, we're glad our articles are resonating with you and helping you expand your natural health knowledge.
Stay healthy & well!
I take Lysine to ward off cold sores and it’s very effective. I do appreciate that you say in your article there’s also a need to balance it with amino complex…especially if one uses it ongoing. Also I didn’t realize I was also getting a benefit for cardiovascular health and bones. I didn’t realize it helps with calcium absorption. Knowing what foods it is found in is helpful too. Thank you for this enlightening and informative article.
Hello Elizabeth,
You're welcome, we're happy to hear you learned about the other benefits Lysine has as well. Many do take it for cold sore relief; however, like this article outlines, it's beneficial for many other health concerns and benefits too! Just like when taking 1 b vitamin for long periods of time, amino's are the same in order to keep a health balance of them all.
Have a healthy day!
I give this to my cat when he has cold symptom like sneezing.
I then find out it helps with cold sore too but do not know about the other benefits like increase calcium absorption and muscle building. This article is very informative.
This is a product that I have used for many years. I take this to control cold sores. It really works!
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for your comment. Indeed, many people use Lysine to support cold sore relief and limit the frequency of breakouts. If you'd like to learn about more natural ways to help cold sores, check out our article on it here:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/cold-sores/
Stay healthy & well !
I’ve used this for years. It keeps my outbreak of cold sores under control
Hello, Sharon, we are glad you're enjoying learning about natural health with our articles. Lysine does help manage cold sore outbreaks and much more. If you'd like t continue learning about natural health, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NTLnutrition
Stay healthy and well
My friend, a nutritionist suggested I try Lysine for shingles.
I have continuous outbreaks of location specific Shingles for the past 3 years. The vaccine did not work for me. As I have experienced severe hives all my life. I suspected this virus has been present in my system from an early age.
I have been taking Lysine for only three weeks. What I am experiencing is incredible. I do not have stiffness and various body aches, I can walk further with ease. Previously I was restricted to walking very short distances and using a electric shopping cart. I have more energy. While I had a short outbreak of my shingles, I just need to allow my body to respond to Lysine. Meanwhile I will enjoy what Lysine has done to increase my quality of life.
Hello, Mildred,
That's amazing to hear how Lysine has made such a positive impact on your well-being! It's truly incredible how certain supplements can help improve our quality of life. It sounds like you're experiencing some wonderful benefits, like reduced stiffness, improved mobility, and increased energy levels. Keep up the good work and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions or need further assistance. Wishing you continued health and vitality!
We also think you'll enjoy our healthy recipes, check them out here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Informative re: adding methionine to lysine for herpes simplex.
Hello Mildred,
We are happy that you found our article on Lysine informative and it provided some of the information you were looking for. Lysine is a great amino acid with many uses, including offering support for cold sores. If you'd like to learn more natural ways to combat cold sores, have a look at this article too: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/cold-sores/
Stay healthy & well
Lysine is an important essential amino acid. Like Mark, I find it pretty amazing that lysine can be used to treat cold sores (I don't struggle from cold sores but they are awful common and I know several people who do). I find the mechanism really interesting too and did not know that lysine competes with arginine for absorption. This is good for me to know because the bacteria that I am currently studying for my Phd thesis, prevalent human gut microbe E. lenta, derives most of its energy from arginine so I need to think about arginine metabolism sometimes when considering its growth. Thank you for another interesting article, National Nutrition!
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for commenting on our Lysine article. We are happy you were able to learn how this nutrient can support health and well-being, specifically in the management of cold sore outbreaks. Lysine is one of many amino acids, if you'l like to continue learning about this group of nutrients, check out this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/amino-acid-complex/
Have a healthy day.