What is L-Lysine?

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that our bodies need it and depend on it, but they cannot produce it naturally. Therefore, we must introduce it to the body through food or supplements. Normally, by just keeping a healthy and balanced diet, we manage to keep our L-Lysine levels up and ensure our body’s proper functionality but, sometimes, vitamins and pills are in order. This happens especially when you have some virus like herpes (HSV1/HSV2).

Arginine (another amino acid, semi-essential) promotes the growth and replication of herpes virus (all HHV=Human Herpesvirus), low-lysine and high-arginine foods, while lysine hinders it.

Arginine benefits:

1. creates nitric oxide, which widens and relaxes arteries and blood vessels, improving blood flow
2. helps heal injuries
3. aids kidneys in removing waste
4. boosts immune system function

High-arginine  foods:

• seeds and nuts (max handful a day when no outbreaks)
• coconut (coconut oil is fine since it has no amino acids)
• orange juice
• chocolate
• wheat products
• oats
• lentils
• chickpeas
• protein supplements
• gelatin
• turkey, pork
• cheese
• caffeine

L-Lysine benefits:

1. Treating cold sores.
2. Reducing anxiety
3. Preventing herpes (HHV1 = HSV1, HSV2)
4. Relieving shingles. (HHV3 = VZV)
5. Helping with bone health
6. Benefits for skin
7. Fighting hair loss.

L-Lysine is suggested to use only one year because longer continuous use might affect to liver and pancreas in some level. Some people use L-Lysine only when outbreaks appears.

Most of fruits and vegatables are lysine-rich foods, here are mentioned few of them included most L-lysine:

• Carambola
• Watermelon
• Kiwi
• Apricots
• Tangerines (mandarin, orange)
• Avocado
• Banana

Dosage

On average, for a healthy adult, a normal dose is 12 mg/kg/day. The dosage will be dramatically increased if you are taking it to cure a problem such as herpes, for example. In this case, it might go up to 2000 or even 3000 mg daily. L-lysine 1000 mg benefits, as an average, are usually the best way to go.

Consult your physician before to take L-Lysine supplement.

Love & health!

-Sari

(Sources: herpes.com, justherpes.com, draxe.com, nutritiondata.self.com)