L-Lysine
is an essential amino acid which cannot be manufactured in the body;
hence it is important to include lysine in adequate amounts in the diet
and in supplement form. Many foods supply lysine, but the richest sources
by far include red meats, fish and dairy products. There is currently
no official recommended dietary allowance for lysine but it is estimated
that the daily requirement for an adult is approximately 12mg/kg of
body weight. Like all amino acids, lysine functions as a building block
for proteins.
Lysine and Herpes
A few years ago, researchers discovered that in order to grow (replicate),
the herpes virus needs arginine, another common amino acid. (Foods high
in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, almonds, seeds, cereal grains,
gelatin, and raisins.) Lysine competes with arginine for absorption
and entry into tissue cells. When lysine is present, it inhibits the
growth of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) by knocking out arginine. This
makes a diet high in lysine and low in arginine a useful tool in managing
HSV infections. In a recent study, participants consumed large amounts
of lysine (about 1 gram three times each day) while restricting food
sources of arginine. A significant number of participants (74%) noticed
an improvement in their HSV infections and a decrease in the number
of outbreaks.
Lysine supplements (as opposed to foods high in this nutrient) can also
play an important role in staving off and reducing the severity of herpes-related
cold sores. Results of a six-month trial involving more than 50 people
indicate that lysine is far more effective than a placebo in preventing
cold sores. Participants given a placebo had more than twice as many
such infections as those taking lysine. Moreover, the herpes sores that
did develop in the lysine group tended to be milder, and to heal faster,
than the outbreaks in the placebo group. Lysine supplements may even
prevent HSV outbreaks in chronic sufferers.
The Herpes Zoster virus is responsible for chicken pox and later in
life this same virus can be reactivated to present as shingles. Lysine
appears to play a role in the inhibition of the herpes zoster virus
in the same manner that it works against the herpes simplex virus. Keep
in mind that most nutritionally oriented physicians will combine lysine
therapy with conventional antiviral medications such as acyclovir or
valacyclovir.
Guidelines for Use
* For a severe initial outbreak of genital herpes or shingles, see
a doctor to confirm that you have the condition and be sure to take
one of the prescription antiviral drugs such as acyclovir.
* Don't drink milk at the same time you take lysine.
* For canker sores: Take 1,000 mg L-lysine three times a day with meals
while a canker sore is present. Reduce the dose to 500 mg three times
a day for one week following healing.
* For cold sores: Take 1,000 mg L-lysine three times a day with meals
for flare-ups. If you are subject to recurrent outbreaks of cold sores,
continue on a maintenance dosage of 1,000 mg day.
* For shingles: Take 1,000 mg L-lysine three times a day with meals
during flare-ups. Reduce the dose to 500 mg three times a day for one
week after healing.
Cautions
* In very large doses (10 to 30 grams a day), lysine increases the
toxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, neomycin,
and streptomycin.
*
Side effects are rare with lysine supplements, although a few cases
of abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with very high doses
(more than 10 grams a day).
Lysine
and Hair Loss
An
English biotech company was recently issued a US patent for the use
of L-Lysine in the treatment of various types of hair loss, including
androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). US Patent 6136860. Applicant:
Bio-Scientific Ltd., London.
" The co-administration of L-Lysine with known treatments for genetic
hair loss such as minoxidil and anti-androgens results in a significant
improvement in the efficacy of the treatment."
Lysine
and Calcium Absorption
The presence of substantial amounts of lysine or arginine enhances
intestinal Calcium absorption. As a result, some researchers believe
that lysine may eventually be shown to play a role in the prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis.
Lysine
and Fat Metabolism
Inasmuch as carnitine is essential for the transport of fatty acyl groups
into and out of the mitochondria; it is possible that severe lysine
deficiency is a factor in the failure to synthesize adequate amounts
of carnitine and hence to a diminished utilization of fatty acids for
energy. In other words, loosing weight may be more difficult if your
diet is deficient in lysine.
