L-lysine is an essential amino acid used by the body as a building block for lots of functions essential to development and maintenance of health. It is offered in lots of food sources but may also be taken with care as a dietary supplement by people who need additional dosages of lysine.
L-lysine Uses
L-lysine is an amino acid (a foundation of protein) that is essential for health. However, it can not be made naturally in the body like other types of amino acids. Therefore, L-lysine, likewise called lysine, is considered as one of the 8 essential amino acids.
In order to get lysine, one needs to eat foods high in its content or take dietary supplements containing it. As a foundation for protein, amino acids like L-lysine are necessary for typical development and development. In specific, L-lysine is required by the body to produce carnitine, a compound that is used in the conversion of fats into energy. It also assists in calcium absorption and collagen development which are essential for muscle and bone health.
Foods that are high in L-lysine consist of high protein foods like nuts, red meat, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, and sardines. Nevertheless, some people might need more than simply the typical dietary food to supply their needs for lysine, such as professional athletes, bodybuilders, and vegans. These people can get additional sources of L-lysine from nutritional supplements in the form of liquids, tablets, or pills which are readily available in health shops or pharmacies.
L-lysine Health Benefits
L-lysine is an essential and important part of proteins. As previously pointed out, it contributes in the production of carnitine and collagen. Its advantages include:
- Promotes skin health through increased collagen development
- Helps in muscle building, when taken with other amino acids like arginine
- Promotes typical development and development by increasing collagen formation
- When taken with other nutrients like vitamin C, it can lower chest discomforts (angina) associated to heart disease
- Assists lower bad cholesterol levels, hence lowering the risk for heart disease
- Might be used to treat viral infections like herpes simplex, cold sores, shingles, human papilloma infection (HPV) infection such as genital warts, and genital herpes
- Can eliminate migraines and other types of pain and inflammation
- Assists convert fatty acids to energy, assisting in weight reduction
- Supports the production of other proteins like enzymes, antibodies and hormonal agents
- Promotes bone health by increasing calcium absorption; avoids osteoporosis or weak bones by minimizing bone loss
L-lysine Deficiency
What takes place when one’s diet lacks lysine? Some health problems have been discovered to be connected to L-lysine deficiency such as kidney stone formation, low thyroid hormone production, asthma, chronic viral infections, and irregular development and development.
Symptoms associated with a deficiency in this amino acid include nausea, tiredness, lightheadedness, anemia, and loss of appetite. Some disorders of the reproductive system have actually also been linked to a lack of l-lysine in the diet. To deal with L-lysine shortage, you can take following steps.
- Avoid a high sugar diet. To prevent l-lysine shortage, one must avoid a high sugar diet, considering that sugar has been understood to bind lysine.
- Arginine intake. Another cause of low lysine levels is taking big doses of arginine (another amino acid).
Take in high protein foods – To get sufficient amounts of L-lysine, one need to take in high protein foods like red meat, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. Particular fish like sardines and cod, nuts, soybeans products like tofu and soybean flour, spirulina, fenugreek seed, and Brewer’s yeast are likewise great lysine sources. - Supplements intake. For those who require extra sources of L-lysine, dietary supplements in the form of tablets, pills, or liquids might be taken.
Precautions of L-lysine Intake
Intake Conditions
L-lysine supplements are typically taken by vegans who do not eat foodstuff consisting of animal protein, professional athletes who are highly active and bodybuilders who want more muscle mass. Patients who have large injuries, burns, or other medical conditions involving protein loss likewise need extra lysine for repair. Some people take l-lysine supplements to treat or avoid viral infections like cold sores and shingles.
Although lysine might be taken without prescription, it must be taken with care to avoid side effects such as nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
L-lysine Dosage
It is always best to ask your doctor for advice relating to L-lysine supplements, particularly with regards to dosage. According to professionals at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the typical recommended dose for people aged 13 years and above is 12 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.
For treating herpes infections, one may need a greater dose, ranging from 3,000 – 9,000 mg, taken in divided doses, daily. To avoid recurrences, one may have to take 1,000 mg three times a day. Seek advice from a doctor to find out more on appropriate dose and period of intake.
Experts recommendations
Experts recommend getting one’s nutrients from a well balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. One can obtain L-lysine supplements from online health shops or from organic food stores without prescription, however one need to understand the possible side effects of taking excessive lysine.
L-lysine can connect with other compounds when taken in big amounts, and can cause a shortage in L-arginine, another important amino acid. Excessive doses can likewise lead to gallstone development and increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Pregnant and lactating women, patients with heart, liver, or kidney disease and those taking specific antibiotics must speak with a physician before taking these supplements.
