Many children are deficient in Lysine - an important micronutrient that helps children eat well

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Le Thu Phuong - Pediatrician - Neonatologist, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Many children are deficient in lysine, causing them to anorexia, slow growth, and easily lack digestive enzymes and hormones. The addition of lysine will help children eat more appetizing, increase metabolism, help absorb maximum nutrition and develop height.

1. The role of lysine in the body

Lysine is one of 12 essential amino acids of the body, which enhances calcium absorption, stimulates the body to produce collagen. In particular, this is an important amino acid for young children because it helps children eat better, enhances metabolism of nutrients and develops height. When lysine is deficient, children will have anorexia, growth retardation, loss of concentration, fatigue... Adults with lysine deficiency will experience hair loss, osteoporosis, anemia....
Lysine helps enhance ability ability to absorb and maintain calcium, and at the same time prevent the excretion of this mineral from the body. Therefore, it has the effect of increasing height, preventing osteoporosis. Lysine is a component of many different proteins, is an important factor in the development of digestive enzymes, stimulates appetite, maintains the immune system. It also prevents the growth of the bacteria that cause herpes, so it is often prescribed by doctors for people with cold sores or genital herpes.
In addition to helping to enhance calcium absorption, stimulating collagen production to prolong youth, lysine also has many other effects, including:
Treatment and prevention of ulcers: Lysine has been used in the treatment of various diseases. infections such as herpes (genital herpes), mouth sores.... Scientific studies have concluded that lysine can help treat sores, in addition to being used as a topical cream to treat ulcers. Reduces ulcers and inflammation. Reduce stress: Some studies have shown that lysine can help reduce anxiety in men and stress in women. Prevent heart disease and stroke: According to scientist Linus Pauling, who has received two Nobel Prizes in Medicine, lysine also has the effect of preventing and treating heart disease and stroke. Lysine is an essential amino acid for the body and has many benefits. However, it also has some side effects that you need to be aware of, especially for people who supplement lysine through pills or supplements containing lysine.
According to doctors, taking lysine is mostly safe, but for a normal person, it is not necessary and should not be supplemented with lysine in that way, because too much lysine will cause side effects such as digestive disorders. gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
There is still very little research on the effectiveness and safety of lysine supplements in pregnant and lactating women. So, to be on the safe side and avoid excess lysine, don't take lysine supplements while you're pregnant, just eat enough foods with lysine.
Care should be taken when administering lysine to people with kidney disease. Several studies have demonstrated a link between the amount of lysine in the body and the risk of kidney disease. Because lysine is effective in enhancing calcium absorption, it may increase the risk of or worsen kidney stones.
Therefore, it is best to only supplement lysine through food, when taking any medicine, or functional food, always consult your doctor.

2. How much lysine does a child need each day?

The average person needs 1g of lysine per day. However, our bodies cannot synthesize this substance on its own, but must be provided through food or supplement in the form of drugs or functional foods.
In the diet of Vietnamese people, the amount of cereals accounts for 70-80%, so both adults and many children are deficient in lysine, especially vegetarians, athletes, burn patients, herpes.
To provide enough lysine for children, you need to balance your child's diet, eat enough foods such as eggs, fish, fresh milk. However, lysine in foods is easily destroyed during cooking.

3. Lysine supplements for children

Here are some foods that contain lysine, one of the 12 essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own.
Cheese: Cheese is the most nutrient-dense food source of all dairy products, which have most of the essential amino acids, including lysine. Roast Beef: This is a very tasty and high-protein dish. This dish also contains many essential amino acids needed by the body. Chicken: Cooked chicken breast contains not only easily digestible protein, but also many amino acids including lysine. Tuna: Most fish are great for omega-3s, but tuna is particularly high in lysine. Soybean: This is one of the nutritious foods with high vegetable protein content. Soybeans are an excellent source of amino acids including lysine.

Pork: This is a popular food in most countries around the world with millions of daily consumption. Pork is a food rich in protein and many amino acids including lysine. Shrimp: Seafood such as shrimp and crab are all rich in amino acids, including lysine. Pumpkin Seeds: These seeds are rich in protein and are one of the few foods that are naturally high in lysine. Eggs: Eggs are the favorite food of many people, especially children. Eggs are high in protein and a lot of lysine. White beans: White beans are used in many different dishes, it is important that they are rich in amino acids such as lysine. Once you understand the role of lysine and how to use lysine, you should consider and supplement it through your child's daily diet and it is necessary to visit a doctor to be prescribed by a specialist.
Lysine deficiency makes children malabsorption and growth retardation. Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause dangerous complications for children's health and mental health, so parents need to observe and timely supplement this important source of vitamin.
In addition to dietary supplements, parents can give their children support foods containing vitamin B1 and essential micro-minerals such as zinc, chromium, selenium, ... to help fully meet their needs. nutrition in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.
Reference source: smallseotools.com