L-Lysine Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

L-Lysine, or simply lysine, is one of the body’s eight essential amino acids. It does not appear naturally and is not produced in the human body, therefore, L-Lysine has to be taken into the digestive system through food sources or L-Lysine dietary supplements. ^1,2,3
 
L-Lysine is an amino acid essential for health by building protein and distributing calcium. It’s important for proper human bone and connective muscle tissue growth as well as playing a role essential in producing carnitine, a nutrient that converts fatty acids into energy. L-Lysine also helps the body form collagen that’s vital to skin health and production. A proper amount of L-Lysine is crucial in regulating cholesterol and triglycerides. ^1,2,3
 
Most people who maintain a healthy and balanced natural diet have no need for L-Lysine supplements as their normal food sources contain ample amounts of L-Lysine. Deficiencies happen in people who have a protein lack or need additional L-Lysine for tissue repair. L-Lysine supplements are commonly taken by bodybuilders wanting to build muscle bulk, burn victims who need muscle tissue repair and vegetarians who do not consume protein-rich food. ²
 
Natural food sources that contain high amounts of L-Lysine are: 

• Red meats, pork and poultry
• Cheese and dairy products
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Fish, especially sardines and cod
• Beans, including all soy products
• Spirulina
• Fenugreek seeds
• Brewer’s yeast

Signs of L-Lysine deficiency include: 

• Fatigue, nausea and dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Confusion and agitation
• Bloodshot eyes
• Slow growth and development in children
• Reproductive disorders
• Skin, bone and tissue disorders
• Kidney stones
• Chronic viral infections
• Low thyroid hormone production

Aside from natural foods that are the best source of healthy L-Lysine intake, supplements are available in liquid, capsule, tablet and cream forms. ¹
 
L-Lysine Health Uses and Health Benefits
 
L-Lysine uses are primarily to maintain a healthy and balanced protein level. This builds a strong muscular-skeletal system including healthy skin. Treating skin disorders is a prominent L-Lysine uses, including L-Lysine cold sore treatments. ^1,2,3
 
A healthy diet rarely requires L-Lysine supplements unless a particular disorder arises that L-Lysine is known to treat. ^2,3
 
Some of the common ailments that L-Lysine benefits treat include:

• Herpes (Cold Sores) - Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They can’t be cured but can be controlled by taking a high supplement of L-Lysine cold sore treatments.
• Hives (Urticaria) - Hives are a skin rash normally caused by an allergic reaction. Taken internally, L-Lysine relieves the inflammation and itch of hive symptoms.
• Canker Sores - Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth and around the lips. They are not contagious but can be very uncomfortable. L-Lysine benefits can help reduce irritation from canker sores.
• Ringworm - Ringworm is not caused by a worm or a parasite, rather it’s due to a fungal infection that attacks the skin. L-Lysine is effective at repairing skin damage and healing ringworm outbreaks.
• Boil - Boils are a skin ailment caused by a bacterial infection of hair follicles. L-Lysine works at repairing the skin through collagen production.
• Baldness (Hair Loss) - Baldness is early hair loss that’s usually a hereditary condition. L-Lysine slows baldness by building healthy amounts of collagen and keratin in skin.

L-Lysine Side Effects and Precautions
 
There are few L-Lysine side effects if this amino acid is absorbed through a natural diet that contains high protein foods. It’s nearly impossible to take a natural overdose of L-Lysine as the body will naturally metabolize this water-soluble acid. ²
 
Overdosing on L-Lysine supplements may lead to digestive trouble like nausea, cramping, stomach pain and diarrhea. If taking L-Lysine supplements, limit intake to 12 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. ²
 
Excessive dosages create L-Lysine side effects that lead to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as forming gallstones. ²

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take L-Lysine supplements without consulting their doctor first about possible L-Lysine side effects. ²

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/lysine
2. http://www.md-health.com/L-Lysine-Benefits.html
3. http://homeremedyshop.com/7-amazing-l-lysine-benefits-to-consider/