Lysine

Lysine

• What Is It and How Does It Work in the Body?

  • Lysine is an amino acid that is found in fish, eggs, meat, and legumes. Lysine in the body works to antagonize herpes simplex virus growth. It also works to build collagen for bone growth. It can increase the growth of osteoblasts as well.

• What Is It Used for and at What Dosage?

  • Lysine is used for protein production. Its catabolism occurs in the liver and then is transported to the muscle for use. Clinically, lysine has been shown to prevent and treat herpes simplex virus. There is also some new evidence to suggest lysine can aid in stress, hypertension, muscle strength, and diabetes. For oral dosing, lysine is given from 3 to 6 g for up to 1 year.

• Evidence for or Against Its Different Uses (Broken Down by Evidence for Each Use):

  • Lysine has been used in several studies for the treatment of herpes infections or cold sores. In one study, patients were given 500 mg daily of lysine for prevention and 1000 mg every 6 h upon prodrome development. In this study, only 1 out of 28 subjects did not see a benefit. However, there are contrasting studies which show no benefit. For example, in a study of 31 patients with herpes simplex, there was no reduction of episodes with 750 mg daily of lysine.

• Safety Concerns, Side Effects, and Precautions:

  • Possible side effects of lysine include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and acid reflux. Very high doses are thought to be safe in patients due to fast activation of its use in the liver. However, due to interactions with other medications or in patients with poor blood circulation, lysine may have a nephrotoxic effect. Thus, lysine should be used with caution in patients with ischemia or preexisting renal disease.

• Interactions with Medications:

  • Lysine is seen to interact with calcium supplements and aminoglycosides. Calcium with lysine supplementation can result in increased calcium absorption and decrease of calcium elimination. Aminoglycosides may increase toxicity of lysine.