Lysine Benefits and Improving Your Health
In order to fully understand health benefits of taking lysine we need to first look at lysine itself.
What is Lysine?
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids that the body needs for building proteins. RNA arranges these amino acids in different sequences in order to make different proteins. That is why each amino acid is a vital part of whole body function.
The term "essential" when talking about amino acids means that the body cannot create it and it must therefore be found in other sources such as food or supplements. A balanced diet will provide your
body with all the essential amino acids required and these essential amino acids are crucial if you wish to maintain a healthy body.
How Lysine benefits The Body:
You need lysine for proper collagen formation. Collagen is the most abundant protein that makes up our bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Lysine is also necessary for calcium absorption. Therefore, it should be noted that one of the main health benefits of lysine is noted in our skeletal and skin system and lysine can also be used in the treatment of osteoporosis.
It helps the immune system by aiding in the production of antibodies. Hormone and enzyme production also require lysine support.
Lysine is a precursor for another amino acid, l-carnitine. L-carnitine is necessary when it comes to the conversion of food into energy and it is also known to lower LDL and triglyceride levels.
Does Lysine Help Fight Against Herpes?
Lysine can also help people suffering from cold sores. In one study, 74% of people benefited from lysine supplementation when compared with a group of people who has taken placebo. Research also suggests that you should limit your intake of foods that are high in arginine if you suffer from the herpes virus as arginine can increase the replication of the herpes virus.
Using lysine to help fight against the herpes virus actually blocks the arginine in the body and prevents the herpes virus from reproducing and spreading. Vitamin C used alongside lysine can also help to prevent herpes breakouts.
Although you may be getting sufficient amounts of this amino acid from food sources, a deficiency in lysine can occur. Cooking at high temperatures can destroy the lysine in foods. Vegetarians are also found to be at risk from lysine deficiency.
Some of the symptoms of lysine deficiency include loss of energy, loss of appetite, a difficulty concentrating, hair loss, and bloodshot eyes. Lysine deficiency can also cause anemia, reproductive disorders, and delayed growth.
Are there any Lysine side effects?
Lysine side effects are not very common and animal studies into these supplements report that taking too much lysine can cause gallstones and an increase in cholesterol levels. Lysine research also showed that people taking more than 15 grams of lysine per day reported lysine side effects such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Taking Lysine Supplements
Lysine tablets are available in 500mg to 1000mg dosages in most health stores and pharmacies. When choosing lysine supplements it is recommended that you choose L-Form amino acids instead of D-Forms. This is because L-Forms are easier to take and are more in balance with the natural human body composition.
One point to keep in mind is that the body needs a supply of all the amino acids in order to effectively create and utilize proteins and if you intend to supplement any of the amino acids it is vital that you have a balanced intake of all the other amino acids. Being deficient in even one amino acid will decrease the efficiency of all the other amino acids in your body.