Lysine

Description :   Lysine is an important essential amino acid required for the synthesis of various proteins of human

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Lysine is an important essential amino acid required for the synthesis of various proteins of human body. Human body cannot synthesize lysine hence it should be consumed through diet for fulfilling its requirements in body. It is naturally present in various foods of both animal and plant sources, but animal sources are considered as comparatively richest source of lysine than plant sources.

Out of nine essential amino acids, lysine is the only one which is associated with preventing cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus. It also helps to promote immune system, mental health, and helps in rapid wound healing. Lysine is also associated with stimulating calcium uptake collagen formation, carnitine formation, tissue growth, repairing and development.

Lysine is now widely available in supplemented form where it can be taken by mouth or it can be applied directly to skin. It has seen that many athletes are recently using lysine for enhancing their performance.

Some information regarding lysine

• Lysine is an imperative α-amino acid, naturally present in its L- isomer form
• It is soluble in water
• It contains one amino group, one carboxylic group, one hydrogen molecules and a side chain containing (CH₂)₄NH_2, (aliphatic side chain)
• It is a positively charged essential amino acid of great health importance
• Lysine is mainly present in muscle (animal source) in most concentrated form

Sources

The below table shows an overview of both sources of lysine –

Recommended dietary allowance of lysine

• Adults should consume 8g of dietary lysine per day
• Children between the age group of 11 to 12 years require 44mg of dietary lysine per kg of their ideal body weight
• On a contrary, infants (0 to 12 months of age) require 97mg of dietary lysine per kg of their body weight for supporting their accelerated growth

Health benefits

Role on preventing cold sore by herpes simplex virus

• Cold sores are considered as a symptom of a chronic infection caused by herpes simplex virus. It is mainly characterized by developing fluid filled blisters on lip or corner of the mouth with severe pain and a burning sensation
• Lysine helps to prevent the infection by inhibiting replication of the respective virus and reduces the frequency of developing cold sore
• This virus requires arginine (an amino acid) for its multiplication, but lysine inhibits its multiplication by blocking arginine hence helps to prevent herpes infection

Role on reducing stress

• Lysine helps to reduce stress and stress induced anxiety as it blocks those receptors which are responsible for stress response
• It helps to reduce the secretion of cortisol hormone (stress hormone), which is considered as another important feature of relieving stress and it also helps to develop a feeling of refreshment
• It also associated with preventing schizophrenia in early stage and related mental disorders

Role on calcium absorption

• Lysine helps to increases calcium uptake through intestinal epithelial cell and increases calcium re-absorption through kidney which is associated with increasing calcium status of the body and helps to strengthen the bone
• The most significant effect of lysine on calcium is that it prevents urinary calcium losses. It has seen that individual who only consumes calcium shows significant losses of calcium through urine but individual who consumes calcium along with lysine shows less urinary calcium losses. So, consumption of lysine helps to calcium retention within body and hence prevents bone losses and several bone disorders

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