What are Lysine Supplements for?



December 1st, 2009

What is lysine?

Lysine is a very important amino acid that our bodies need for calcium absorption, building protein, and producing hormones and antibodies. Since it is an amino acid, our bodies can’t produce it on it’s own. It must derived from other sources.

What are good sources of lysine?

Lysine is found in many different types of foods. You can find lysine in red meat, eggs, spinach, lentil, soybeans, asparagus, potatoes, yogurt, and hemp seeds. You can also buy lysine supplements to take if you don’t eat enough of the above foods and would like to increase your daily amount of lysine. If you are a vegetarian, you may be at risk for lysine deficiency. It may be beneficial for vegetarians and vegans to take lysine supplements.

What medical conditions can lysine help with?

Lysine is excellent for the prevention of cold sores and herpes outbreaks. The amino acid arginine is something we also get in our bodies from different foods. Arginine can aggravate herpes outbreaks and cold sores, causing the viruses to replicate themselves. Lysine can block the bodies absorption of arginine, resulting in fewer herpes and cold sore outbreaks. You can also reduce your intake of certain foods that contain lots of arginine. Foods to avoid if you’re looking to take in less arginine are any type of nuts, chocolate, and caffeine. Lysine may also help to prevent osteoporosis and shingles. More research needs to be done to determine how effective lysine is in cancer prevention.

What are the different types of lysine supplements?

Lysine supplements are available from many different brands. The most common forms of lysine supplements are tablets, capsules, liquids, and creams. They come usually in dosages of 500mg or 1000mg, and depending on the mg you need to take them at different times throughout the day. Usually it is recommended that you take it when you wake up and go to sleep or alternatively you can take the supplement with your meals.

If I decide to buy Lysine supplements, how much should I take?

Never take more than the recommended dose on the back of the package. If you think you need more than what is recommended, check with your doctor first. The recommended dose of lysine to help prevent cold sore and herpes is 1250mg per day. Children under the age of 2 years old should never be given lysine supplements. Do not give lysine supplements to children at all unless a doctor recommends it. If you are looking to purchase Supplements then buying them online can be a cheap and easy alternative. You usually save up to fifty percent when you purchase vitamins online.