L-Lysine

L-lysine is an essential amino acid. Of the 20 amino acids -- the molecules that comprise proteins -- eight are called essential. This means the body cannot manufacture them so they must be consumed. Lysine is readily available in high-protein foods, especially red meat, pork, poultry, Parmesan cheese, milk and yogurt, sardines, nuts, eggs, soybeans and wheat germ. The "L" identifies the left form of the molecule, which affects its utilization in the body, named for the direction it rotates the plane of polarized light. L-Lysine and l-Arginine compete with one another for absorption and generally exert opposing effects within the body.

Special Precautions of L-Lysine

Though amino acid supplements do not require a prescription and can be purchased in health food stores or online, they should only be taken if needed. Excess lysine can interact with arginine and calcium supplements, cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps, raise cholesterol levels and contribute to gallstone formation. People with kidney or liver disease, in particular, should not take lysine supplements. As with any medication, pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take L-lysine supplements, nor should l-lysine be given to children, unless otherwise directed by their physicians.

The benefits of L-Lysine are

• L-lysine, along with the amino acid L-methionine, is used by the body to synthesize L-carnitine, which helps cells to break down fat to produce energy. L-carnitine has been proposed as a treatment for heart failure, angina and weight loss in people with fatty acid oxidation defects.
• L-lysine, with the amino acid L-arginine, is necessary for collagen synthesis and so plays an important role in building skin, ligaments and tendons.
• Lysine is frequently used as a nonprescription medication to treat and prevent cold sores, caused by herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV1). There is less evidence that it works for genital herpes, however, which is caused by herpes simplex 2 virus. Studies are being done to see if lysine will inhibit other viruses as well, such as human papilloma virus, which causes genital warts, varicella zoster, which causes shingles, and ocular herpes.
• Herbal supplements containing extracts of passionflower or kava and combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine are effective in ameliorating anxiety symptoms and disorders, aside from their likely placebo effect, according to a 2010 article in “Nutrition Journal.” Clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy of lysine for other uses, including osteoporosis, as lysine causes the body to retain calcium.
• Anti-Aging : Activates Human Growth hormone (HGH).