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You are here: Home / Supplements / L-Lysine – Health Benefits of a Vital Nutrient

L-Lysine – Health Benefits of a Vital Nutrient

March 19, 2018 //  by Earth Clinic Creative Team//  64 Comments

A naturally occurring amino acid, l-lysine is one of the only 20 amino acids that serves as a building block for proteins. L-lysine is a component of all of the proteins in the human body and is crucial for good health. With such an important role in the body, l-lysine is used as an effective treatment option and supplement.

What is L-Lysine?

An essential amino acid, l-lysine or lysine is necessary for human health. However, the body cannot manufacture the nutrient, so it is important to get enough of the nutrient via dietary intake or supplement.

Lysine serves as a building block for proteins in the body, making it important for growth and development. The nutrient also functions in the production of other nutrients including carnitine, which regulate the processing of fatty acids in the body.

While most individuals get an adequate amount of l-lysine in their diets, some individuals including athletes, burn patients and some vegans do not. An insufficient amount of lysine in the diet leads to fatigue, nausea, dizziness, decreased appetite, irritability, bloodshot eyes, delayed development, anemia, and reproductive issues.

Health Benefits of Lysine

As a building block of proteins in the body, lysine is a vital nutrient for supporting proper growth and development; however, the nutrient serves other purposes as well. Research suggests that the nutrient also helps the body absorb calcium. Likewise, it appears to play a part in the formation of collagen, which supports bone and tissue health, including skin, tendon, and cartilage development.

Being such a crucial nutrient, l-lysine can also help manage a variety of health conditions. The nutrient can be used to control cholesterol levels, prevent osteoporosis and other age-related bone density conditions, support growth and reduce anxiety and stress. The nutrient is also effective for preventing herpes, treating shingles, relieving pain due to inflammation and maintaining heart health.

As with any health supplement, care must be taken when using l-lysine as both too much and too little of the nutrient can cause health concerns. In any case, though, lysine is an effective health support that prevents and treats a wide range of conditions.

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Reviews From Our Readers

  1. Colds and Cold Sores
    Baiazid from Gvrd, Bc
    October 12, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    I use L-Lysine for cold sores and to keep away the colds. For me it works.

    Colds: I use the dose on the bottle for colds and gargle with cayenne powder water as often as I remember to. The worst I get is maybe one day of very mild symptoms. I tried many recipes from EC but for me this one knocks it out of the park.

    Cold Sores: I use it a bit more often/day than for colds. As soon as I feel pain or itchiness around my mouth I take L-Lysine then dab the spot with DMSO. I keep dabbing DMSO every time I remember. That's it. It just fails to erupt if I catch it in time, if not, the combination of L-Lysine and DMSO stops it in its tracks, dries it and saves me days of unpleasantness. If I am away from my DMSO bottle, I use H2O2 instead. A fraction less effective for me but it stil works.

    I have tried many other remedies for colds and their resulting sores but none have worked so consistently and so efficiently as these have. It takes a bit of time to search and to try them out until you find your own combo.

    Thank you EC!

    Reply
  2. Canker Sores
    Whiperingsage from Northeastern California
    August 7, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    I thought lysine wasn't helping my cold sores when I took 500 mg and dicovered I should be taking more. I have been on 1 gram a day for years and any time I run out or forget, my cold sores fire up within 2 days.

    Recently my cold sores popped out even on 1 g and gallstones and ulcer symtoms came back, I was stressed because I had just gotten out of the ICU with severe bleeding ulcer and loss of 5 pints of blood (extreme stress). I researched until I found a lysine link and found deficiency can cause anemia (a constant problem for me) and many other symptoms asociated with anemia. I googled lysine-gallstones and found conflicting info- but tried 5 g of lysine and the pain was releived and I slept without benedryl and all the usual herbs I have to take to sleep. And the cold sores are going away. I don't know what stimulated this last period of stress that I would need a higher dose of lysine, but I will have to be more mindful of getting enough protein.

    Reply
  3. Sinus Congestion, Post Nasal Drip, Allergies
    Renee from Bergen Co., Nj
    July 3, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    My allergies, sinus congestion, and post-nasal drip (and the accompanying cough that can cause you to gag or wake up in the middle of the night) have improved immensely with taking 500mg of l-lysine twice daily on an empty stomach. I take it 30 min. Before breakfast and at bedtime. Huge improvement immediately! I have occasionally taken 1000mg dose as needed. I almost have no symptoms anymore!

    I’ve tried several different brands, including generics, and they’ve all worked the same. I take year-round, as I have lots of trouble with dry heat in the winter and all kinds of pollen and dust.

    Reply
  4. Dosage
    Colleen from Greenwich, NY, US
    April 11, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I’m reading all this wonderful information about lysine but i’m wondering what type of supplement is everybody using? Are you using typical synthetic, chemical supplements or is it natural from an animal source? I was taking 500mg of L-lysine from CVS until I read about how bad synthetic supplements are for us. I’m curious if people are still getting good results with the synthetic? Thank you!

    Colleen

    Reply
    • Dosage
      Plumhappy from Eugene, Oregon
      April 11, 2013 at 7:13 pm

      I use liquid lysine. The tablets are too big for the amount you need. The liquid is not so pleasant but I put it in a little bit of water or frute juice and chase is with something with flavor. It comes with a dropper and quite affordable.

      Reply
  5. Fever Blisters
    Mel from Houston, Tx
    February 7, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    I get a lot of fever blisters on my lips from stress and I don’t know what. But I started taking L-Lysine and that alone helps keep them away for months at a time and the only reason I might get them might be cuz I forget to take it. When I do get them I use acetone and coconut oil. But L-Lysine works.

    Reply
    • Fever Blisters
      Dee from Medford, Oregon
      July 8, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      Mel from Houston…. Do you put acetone on the fever blister? You do know that Acetone is a harmful chemical that nail techs use to take off artificial nails…. It's a hamful substance that I've never heard of anyone using on an open sore. Please rethink this.

      Reply
    • Fever Blisters
      Polly from Gander, Neewfoundland, Canada
      July 8, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      Yes you can use acetone in fever blisters-it burns a bit but does not hurt the skin, and gets rid of them very fast–really it wonderful for this–strange but true!!

      Reply
  6. Contraindications
    Oscar from Syracuse, New York
    February 25, 2012 at 10:31 am

    There is evidence that taking L-LYSINE supplements with a compromised liver and or kidneys is bad for you. This may help explain why some people are having mixed or less than desired effects with the BHT [ butylated hydroxytoluene ] treatment for hepatitis C. Many of these people are including supplements including L-LYSINE supplements as a part of their treatment. It seems this is a bad idea for the treatment of hepatitis. Link here about all this: http://www.livestrong.com/article/394394-l-lysine-contraindications/

    And any person who is experiencing both kidney and liver failure should read that linked information and should be especially concerned.

    So, if you have a compromised liver and or kidney do NOT take L-LYSINE as a supplement….Oscar

    Reply
    • Contraindications
      Denise from Seattle, Wa
      July 21, 2012 at 9:22 pm

      Oscar, I have read your reply regarding L-Lysine. “Ted” from this website says, “there are 2 things hepatis C does not like; aspirin and lysine.. He also recommends a protocal of lysine and aspirin for 4 days, taking them for four hours and for 4 days will eliminate hepatitis c. I recall he recommends 4000 mgs of lysine per day..

      Just am a bit confused regarding this conflicting info…Thanks

      Reply
    • Contraindications
      Mevina from Texas, Us
      February 13, 2018 at 11:58 am

      Saying "hep C doesn't like aspirin and lysine" means they knock out the virus.

      Reply
    • Contraindications
      Felina from Wilmington, Delaware
      March 16, 2018 at 11:48 am

      Thank you for this message. I'm so glad I checked before I took it. I'm currently taking mavyrit, its like harvoni. I am struggling with joint and severe constipation side effects. That's why I was tempted to take it. Thank you, for your knowledge. Love and light.

      Reply
    • Contraindications
      Suzy from Indiana
      March 17, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Felina,

      Ssorbic acid crystals, vitamin c, mixed with water or taking magnesium will take care of your constipation. Experiment with it a bit and find the right dosage. Black strap molasses daily also fixes the problem. It is high iron if that’s something you are avoiding. These have changed my life. I wish you the best.

      Reply
  7. Food Sources
    Yow_whaz_up from Chinatown, Singapore
    November 11, 2011 at 10:03 am

    I can’t find the supplements Lysine and Arginine where I live. The ones I have seen are bits of them in children’s multivitamin syrups, which are either inadequate or has MSG added.

    I don’t know what else to do except making some chicken soup or the pig leg one. For Chinese people, it is kind of like a tradition to cook it if someone in the family feels weak and sick.

    Will it have the same effect as taking 1000 mg of lysine to fight against some virus or germ? Will it also be the same as taking 500 mg of arginine to relax that stressful heart? Does the soup also have the same useful lysine and arginine?

    Ted from Bangkok, anyone, have you ever drunk dong koi teng (chicken soup with dong koi herb) or ba kut teh (pig leg tea) to kill the fatigue caused by a germ or simply stress?

    Reply
    • Food Sources
      Frankiee from Tennessee, US
      December 7, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      GNC.com is where you can order the L-lysine online; I believe even though you live in China, you still may be able to have it shipped to your location. I have to tell you, it has worked so well with my sudden development of canker sores, I am just so relieved to know that I have access to it; I will pay whatever amount to obtain it!!

      Reply
  8. Hives
    Carrie from Reston, VA
    January 19, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Chronic Hives and L-lysine: My mother and grandfather both suffer from chronic hives all of their bodies, face, skine, and even internal organs. ITS BAD! My mother has researched and tried everything (including conventional and holistic medicine). She prayed and prayed that God would show her the cure. HE DID! Its just plain old (and CHEAP I might mention) L-lysine. You know, you use it for canker sores in your mouth! I think she would take 2 in the morning and 2 at night. They started going away immediately and she’s even off the L-lysine now and hasn’t had a recurrance in over two years! She had my grandfather use it and it worked for him too. This gave my mom her life back! I hope that this helps someone else as it did them. It was literally a God-send. What do you have to lose a few bucks?

    Reply
  9. Herpes
    Bonita from Rochester, MN, USA
    January 3, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Found this website looking for flea remedies and found so much more! I too am always looking for remedies other than what are mainstream, just because it seems to me there has got to be more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak!

    Read about Vitamin D deficincy in The Star Tribune by a doctor at the U of MN who discovered how many people suffer from a lack of it. Of course, I am a blue eyed blond who frys like a lobster in the sun and can’t remember when the last time was that I went outdoors without sunscreen and and hat so I began taking a D supplement right away. I take 2000 IU of vitamin D daily. I have to say that I feel pretty darn good considering I have arthritis in all the major joints of my body.

    I also have been using lysine to take care of my Herpes simplex outbreaks for years and would not be without it. I find that if I take 4-6 500 mg tablets at the first sign of the itch/tingle on my lip, and then 2 tablets every couple of hours after that, I can most times, stop it in its tracks and completely skip and signs of the break out. If I am nowhere near my supply of lysine and I get those symptoms, taking it at first opportunity causes the leisons to heal very rapidly. In any case, it works for me.

    Am going to try the apple cider vinegar thing as well, for arthritis and for the flea problem. Weird that it will be for 2 such unrelated problems but If it works, who cares. It is certainly safe enough. Thanks for being here as a sounding board and gathering of natural remedies.

    Reply
    • Herpes
      Listen 2 Ur Body from Denver, Co
      July 31, 2012 at 10:13 am

      In regards to the warning…..Your typical “Dr. “will almost ALWAYS say “Warning!”. They are unfortunately taught to be drug pushers because there is no $ in natural cures. As with anything be aware of how YOUR body reacts, you are your best physician. :).

      Reply
    • Herpes
      Victoria from Colorado
      January 12, 2014 at 9:05 am

      I got tired of spending 20 bucks on abreva that never ever worked on my fever blisters that would swell and become pus filled(and I assume virus filled). I would say on, avg I had blisters at least 3 times a yr. My triggers are sun, stress, trauma, and the occasional accompanying cold. Came on here and read about l lysine. So in middle of hell started a regiment of vit a, e, b complex, echinaecha, goldenseal, and lysine. (I also am prone to stys and they are also triggered by stress, so naturally I was treating that too). The swelling of much lip reduced in a day and both the blister and sty were gone in like 3 days. Now I rarely have either ailment start due to taking it every other day for 2 wks, then week off, then every othet day. Havent. Had either in probably a yr. And that was only because I stop taking it.

      Reply
    • Herpes
      Anjjella from Usa
      March 7, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Lysine cream never realy worked for me, so for yrs I just put up with them. Then I started using iodine for a nail fungus, (which has work well) and wondered if it would help on the lip blisters. So I took a little coconut oil (1 Tblsp) added 3 drops of iodine and started rubbing it into sore on my lip. After repeated use, the one area that used to take over my bottom lip has yet to reappear, even if a smaller one appears in another area of my lips. I stopped getting that crappy feeling like the flu was coming on also. They stay very small. Iodine has worked better than the baking soda paste I used to plaster on them.

      But since Lysine has been helping my son with the severity of his acne and scaring when they heal, I have started taking it too since I love cashews and hazelnuts which are high in arginine. hoping it will counter the imbalance.

      Reply
    • Herpes
      Anjjella from Usa
      March 7, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Lysine cream never realy worked for me, so for yrs I just put up with them. Then I started using iodine for a nail fungus, (which has work well) and wondered if it would help on the lip blisters. So I took a little coconut oil (1 Tblsp) added 3 drops of iodine and started rubbing it into sore on my lip. After repeated use, the one area that used to take over my bottom lip has yet to reappear, even if a smaller one appears in another area of my lips. I stopped getting that crappy feeling like the flu was coming on also. They stay very small. Iodine has worked better than the baking soda paste I used to plaster on them.

      But since Lysine has been helping my son with the severity of his acne and scaring when they heal, I have started taking it too since I love cashews and hazelnuts which are high in arginine. hoping it will counter the imbalance.

      Reply
  10. L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
    Melisa from Birmingham, UK
    November 3, 2008 at 12:00 am

    Can anyone explain the difference between L-lysine and lysine tried to find on goole with no luck.

    EC: It's one and the same... if you type in L-Lysine at wikipedia, it redirects to their Lysine page(<A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-Lysine">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-Lysine</A>).
    Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Ray from Chicago, Illinois
      September 16, 2010 at 9:49 am

      Without the “L-” in an aminoacids description it is referred the the real food. With the “L-“, it refers to the supplement-version. Whereby both are the same. The “L-” refers to the aminoacids L-Structure of the molecule.

      Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Baldev from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
      February 2, 2011 at 11:37 am

      I had ordered L- Lysine, but I have received L-Lysine monohydro-chloride. I want to know whether the product I have received is same and can it be used as Lysine or in place of L-Lysine. Thanks

      Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Baldev from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
      February 5, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      Ted/Bill please comment on this. Your thoughts on this subject are requested.
      Thanks

      Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines
      February 5, 2011 at 6:23 pm

      Hi Baldev… Lysine or L-Lysine are the convenient supplement names for this amino acid. The actual chemical name of lysine is 2, 6-diaminohexanoic acid, which is a bit of a mouthful.

      The lysine supplement I use is pure Lysine Monohydrochloride which is the same as Lysine Hydrochloride.

      Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Maria from Gippsland, Australia
      February 5, 2011 at 6:23 pm

      Hi Baldev, I have 100% pure L-Lysine powder and on the ingredients label it says – “552 mg L-Lysine from 552 mg L-Lysine Monohydrochloride. We tend to use the short version instead of the full chemical name. If you are still not sure do a search for L-Lysine MSDS (material saftey data sheet).

      Reply
    • L-Lysine Vs. Lysine
      Kate59 from Kingston, Ny, United States
      November 16, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      Good sources of L-Lysine are dairy products (organic), spirulina, raw honey, and royal jelly.

      Reply
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