Unlock the power of Lysine for  stress management and so much more

Steve Fratini, PhD (Author) and Tony Clark, CSO (Editor), November 21, 2023

Lysine is an indispensable amino acid (IAA) which is found mostly in animal products.  It is essential for muscle growth and maintenance, and is used to form carnitine, a substance found in most cells of your body.  Lysine helps transport fats across your cells to be burned for energy.  Due to its importance in several biological processes, a lack of lysine can lead to several disease states including defective connective tissues, impaired fatty acid metabolism, anemia, and systemic protein-energy deficiency.

Lysine health benefits include the following:

• Protecting against and treating viral infections: Lysine may help prevent and treat cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It can block another amino acid called arginine, which HSV-1 needs to multiply.  Some studies suggest that taking lysine supplements can reduce the frequency and duration of cold sore and Shingles outbreaks [1][2][18][19].  Large doses of 8 g per day are commonly used to combat cold sores [18].

• Managing stress, anxiety, and depression:  Lysine may reduce anxiety and stress by blocking receptors that are involved in the stress response.  It can also lower the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is released when you are stressed.  Some studies show that taking lysine supplements can lower stress-induced anxiety and improve mental health [3][4][15].  Low levels of Lysine have been found in patients with depression [18].

• Help in treating schizophrenia:  Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior.  Several studies have indicated that L-lysine can be used as an adjunctive therapy for improving negative and general psychopathology symptoms in chronic schizophrenia [5][6].

• Treating eye-floaters:  A supplement formulation featuring L-lysine has been shown to reduce the visual discomfort associated with vitreous degeneration (commonly referred to as "eye floaters") [7].

• Improving bone and skin health:  Lysine can improve calcium absorption and bone health by helping your body use calcium more efficiently.  It can also promote collagen growth, which is a protein that makes up your bones, cartilage, skin, and other tissues.  Consuming adequate amounts of lysine (and other IAAs) and calcium may help prevent bone loss and osteoporosis [8][9][11].  Lysine’s role in the production of collagen can help to maintain younger looking skin [15][19].

• Promoting wound healing:  Lysine can support wound healing and tissue repair by stimulating the production of enzymes, antibodies, and hormones (inclusive of human growth hormone) that are involved in healing processes.  Lysine is a precursor for carnitine, which helps to transport fats across your cells to be burned for energy, which can speed up recovery and prevent infections [10][11][12][18].

• Managing blood pressure:  It may improve blood pressure and heart health by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure [13].

• Improving blood sugar control:  Lysine can also help regulate your blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which may help prevent diabetes and metabolic syndrome [14].

• Treating bleeding disorders:  It is a precursor to aminocaproic acid, which is used to treat certain bleeding disorders [18].

• Supporting immune system health:  Lysine has been found to have broad immune-enhancing capabilities.  It increases the growth of the thymus gland—the primary site for the maturation of T cells and B cells, which produce antibodies.  Lysine deficiency plays a role in immunodeficiency [18].  In addition, it plays a neuroprotective role by reducing inflammatory response [20].  

Many animal products such as beef, chicken, ricotta cheese, and tuna contain high amounts of lysine.  In terms of vegetarian sources, one could try navy beans or tofu [16][17].    Individual responses to lysine can vary, and its benefits are best achieved as part of a balanced diet that supports overall health.  If you are considering supplements for specific health purposes, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or supplementation regimen.

References

[1]  Pedrazini MC, da Silva MH, Groppo FC. L-lysine: Its antagonism with L-arginine in controlling viral infection. Narrative literature review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Nov;88(11):4708-4723. doi: 10.1111/bcp.15444. Epub 2022 Jul 5. PMID: 35723628.

[2] Mailoo VJ, Rampes S. Lysine for Herpes Simplex Prophylaxis: A Review of the Evidence. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017 Jun;16(3):42-46. PMID: 30881246; PMCID: PMC6419779.

[3] Smriga M, Ando T, Akutsu M, Furukawa Y, Miwa K, Morinaga Y. Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans. Biomed Res. 2007 Apr;28(2):85-90. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.28.85. PMID: 17510493.

[4] Smriga M, Ghosh S, Mouneimne Y, Pellett PL, Scrimshaw NS. Lysine fortification reduces anxiety and lessens stress in family members in economically weak communities in Northwest Syria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Jun 1;101(22):8285-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0402550101. Epub 2004 May 24. PMID: 15159538; PMCID: PMC420386.

[5]  Zeinoddini A, Ahadi M, Farokhnia M, Rezaei F, Tabrizi M, Akhondzadeh S. L-lysine as an adjunct to risperidone in patients with chronic schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. J Psychiatr Res. 2014 Dec;59:125-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.08.016. Epub 2014 Sep 6. PMID: 25227564.

[6] Wass C, Klamer D, Katsarogiannis E, Pålsson E, Svensson L, Fejgin K, Bogren IB, Engel JA, Rembeck B. L-lysine as adjunctive treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over pilot study. BMC Med. 2011 Apr 18;9:40. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-9-40. PMID: 21501494; PMCID: PMC3094237.

[7] Ankamah E, Green-Gomez M, Roche W, Ng E, Welge-Lüßen U, Kaercher T, Nolan JM. Dietary Intervention With a Targeted Micronutrient Formulation Reduces the Visual Discomfort Associated With Vitreous Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021 Oct 4;10(12):19. doi: 10.1167/tvst.10.12.19. PMID: 34647961; PMCID: PMC8525826.

[8] Civitelli R, Villareal DT, Agnusdei D, Nardi P, Avioli LV, Gennari C. Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans. Nutrition. 1992 Nov-Dec;8(6):400-5. PMID: 1486246.

[9] Aggarwal R, Bains K. Protein, lysine and vitamin D: critical role in muscle and bone health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(9):2548-2559. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1855101. Epub 2020 Dec 8. PMID: 33290094.

[10] Spallotta F, Cencioni C, Straino S, Sbardella G, Castellano S, Capogrossi MC, Martelli F, Gaetano C. Enhancement of lysine acetylation accelerates wound repair. Commun Integr Biol. 2013 Sep 1;6(5):e25466. doi: 10.4161/cib.25466. Epub 2013 Jul 2. PMID: 24265859; PMCID: PMC3829946.

[11] Yamauchi M, Terajima M, Shiiba M. Lysine Hydroxylation and Cross-Linking of Collagen. Methods Mol Biol. 2019;1934:309-324. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9055-9_19. PMID: 31256387.

[12] Datta D, Bhinge A, Chandran V. Lysine: Is it worth more? Cytotechnology. 2001 Jul;36(1-3):3-32. doi: 10.1023/A:1014097121364. PMID: 19003311; PMCID: PMC3449675.

[13] Vuvor, F., Mohammed, H., Ndanu, T. et al. Effect of lysine supplementation on hypertensive men and women in selected peri-urban community in Ghana. BMC Nutr 3, 67 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6.

[14] Kalogeropoulou D, LaFave L, Schweim K, Gannon MC, Nuttall FQ. Lysine ingestion markedly attenuates the glucose response to ingested glucose without a change in insulin response. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Aug;90(2):314-20. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27381. Epub 2009 Jun 24. PMID: 19553295.

[15] L-Lysine: Benefits, the Right Dosage, and Warnings, 1MD Nutrition™, https://1md.org/health-guide/immunity/ingredients/immune-l-lysine, accessed on 16 November 2023.

[16] 16 Foods High in Lysine That Also Pack Protein, Livestrong™, https://www.livestrong.com/article/260536-list-of-foods-high-in-lysine-low-in-arginine/, accessed on 16 November 2023.

[17] Kathryn Watson, 40 Sources of Lysine to Add to Your Plate, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/lysine-foods, accessed on 16 November 2023.

[18] Braverman, et al.  The Healing Nutrients Within: Facts, Findings, and New Research on Amino Acids.  2003.

[19] Meenu Singh, et al.  Medicinal Uses of L-Lysine:  Past and Future.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267817166_Medicinal_Uses_of_L-Lysine_Past_and_Future, accessed on 09 May 2019.

[20] Jing Cheng, et al.  l-lysine confers neuroprotection by suppressing inflammatory response via microRNA-575/PTEN signaling after mouse intracerebral hemorrhage injury.  Experimental Neurology, Volume 327, May 2020.