L-Lysine 500mg - 250 + 100 Caps FREE

What are Amino Acids?
As the building blocks of protein, Amino Acids are vital to health. Next to water, amino acids in the form of proteins make up the greatest portion of our body weight. They comprise tendons, muscles and ligaments; organs and glands; hair and nails; important bodily fluids, and are a necessary part of every cell in the body.

There are over 20 amino acids, separated into two categories essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be manufactured by your body, hence, it is essential that you obtain them from your diet. Non-essential amino acids can be manufactured by your body, however, your body must have the right combination of essential amino acids and supporting nutrients to optimize healthy protein maintenance, so supplementation may be desirable.

L-Lysine
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot manufacture it. It must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Lysine is one of the most well known amino acids and is an essential component of all proteins.

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. Lysine is involved in growth and bone development because it increases the absorption and deposition of calcium. Lysine and another amino acid, methionine, forms 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.

Cold Sores
Cold sores are the result of an infection with herpes simplex virus. This highly contagious virus is usually contracted in childhood through skin contact. The virus then lies dormant in the body and only produces sores when triggered. Triggers for cold sores are individual but some of the more common triggers are exposure to cold, wind or sun, food allergies, a decreased immune system due to other infections or stress and hormonal fluctuations.

Dietary help for preventing and treating cold sores involves decreasing the amino acid arginine in the diet. Arginine is used by the virus for replication. Avoid arginine rich foods such as nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, peas, lentils, oats, corn, buckwheat, barley, chocolate and coconut. Also increase the lysine content of the diet because lysine inhibits herpes virus replication. Lysine rich foods include fish especially halibut, shrimp, poultry, milk, lima beans, mung bean sprouts and yeast.