This article was professionally reviewed by MSc, MD, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan – Pediatrician at the Neonatal Department, Vinmec International General Hospital, Da Nang.
Lysine is an essential amino acid because your body cannot synthesize it on its own—it must be obtained from food. Lysine is crucial for normal body growth and the formation of carnitine, a compound found in most cells of the human body. So, what are the benefits of lysine?
1. Lysine Protects and Treats Cold Sores by Blocking Arginine
Lysine helps transport fats through cells to be burned for energy. L-lysine is a form of lysine that the body can readily use. It can be naturally sourced from foods or consumed in higher concentrations through dietary supplements like lysine tablets.
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are symptoms of an infection, typically appearing on the lips or the corners of the mouth. They manifest as small, fluid-filled blisters that cause discomfort, such as tingling, pain, and burning sensations. Additionally, they can negatively impact your self-confidence due to their appearance.
Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which can remain dormant in the body. During periods of stress or weakened immunity, HSV-1 can reactivate, resulting in cold sores.
Supplementing with lysine may help prevent HSV-1 replication and shorten the duration of cold sores. One study showed that taking 1,000 mg of lysine orally each day resulted in fewer cold sores in 26 individuals prone to recurring cold sores.
Another study involving 30 people found that applying a cream containing lysine, herbs, vitamins, and zinc cleared cold sores in 40% of participants by the third day and in 87% by the sixth day.
2. Lysine reduces anxiety
Lysine has the potential to reduce anxiety by blocking receptors involved in the stress response. Researchers observed that mice given lysine exhibited reduced stress-induced diarrhea.
In a one-week study involving 50 healthy individuals, supplementation with 2.64 grams of lysine and arginine resulted in decreased anxiety and lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.
Lysine Reduces Schizophrenia Symptoms
Lysine may also aid in the treatment of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that distorts an individual’s perception of reality, often resulting in difficulties distinguishing real experiences. Although research is still in its early stages, lysine shows potential in improving schizophrenia symptoms when used alongside prescribed medications.
3. Lysine Improves Calcium Absorption and Retention
Lysine may help your body retain calcium by enhancing calcium absorption in the intestines and promoting calcium retention in the kidneys. A study of 30 women—15 healthy and 15 with osteoporosis—showed that supplementation with calcium and lysine reduced calcium loss in urine.
Women who received 400 mg of lysine lost less calcium through urine compared to the control group. Lysine helps protect bones and facilitates calcium transport throughout the body. For example, lysine has been shown to prevent calcium buildup in blood vessels in mice, which is a known risk factor for heart disease.
Furthermore, a test-tube study found that cells without lysine exhibited calcium movement out of the cells, suggesting that lysine plays a critical role in cellular calcium retention.
4. Lysine Promotes Wound Healing by Supporting Collagen Formation
Lysine may improve the body’s ability to heal wounds. In animal tissue experiments, lysine was found to accumulate at the wound site and accelerate the healing process.
Lysine is essential for the formation of collagen, a protein that provides structural support to skin and bones. Lysine may also act as a binding agent, increasing the number of new cells at the wound site and potentially stimulating the development of new blood vessels.
In one animal study, a combination of lysine and the amino acid arginine was shown to speed up and improve the healing of bone fractures. Another study involving 40 rabbits found that supplementing with 47 mg of lysine per kilogram of body weight and 50 mg of arginine per kilogram of body weight significantly enhanced blood flow and accelerated bone healing. Rabbits receiving lysine and arginine healed two weeks faster than the control group.
Wound healing is a complex process requiring various minerals, vitamins, and other factors, and lysine appears to play a vital role. A deficiency in lysine may impair the body’s ability to heal wounds.
Although research so far has focused on oral lysine supplementation, it remains unclear whether topical application of lysine would yield similar results. However, one study found that applying a gel containing lysine to ulcers reduced infections and shortened healing time compared to cases where no gel was used.
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Reference source: healthline.com
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