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Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources
The proteinogenic amino acid L-lysine is one of the essential amino acids. As such, it cannot be synthesized by the human body itself and must be ingested with food. Lysine is often the limiting amino acid in plant foods. The biological value can be improved by the consumption of animal protein sources. Significant amounts of lysine are found in chicken, pork, beef, tuna, sardines, egg and cow's milk.
Physiological effects
Skin	Biosynthesis of collagen and elastin
Bone metabolism	Hydroxylation of lysines and prolines to a procollagen-tripelhelix in the osteoblasts Improvement of the bioavailability of calcium, increase of intestinal calcium absorption
Metabolism	Carnitine biosynthesis from the amino acids lysine and methionine Stimulation of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase

Recommended intake

Recommended intake according to food labelling regulations (= 100 % TB marking on label)
		N/A
Recommended intake
Toddlers		96 mg/kg
Adults		10,5 mg/kg
Nutrient safety
UL	Long-term daily intake at which no negative health effects are to be expected	300-400 mg/kg bw
NOAEL	Maximum intake, with no observed adverese effects	N/A

Detailed information

L-lysine- an essential amino acid

L-lysine is one of the nine essential amino acids for which self-synthesis is not possible in the human body. The organism is therefore exclusively dependent on the exogenous supply of lysine. The daily requirement is approximately 10 mg/kg body weight for women and 9 mg/kg for men (1). Insufficient intake leads to growth disorders and reduced immune function (2).

L-lysine for the treatment of herpes simplex

L-lysine is used therapeutically to prevent and treat herpes simplex infections (fever blisters). Promising results have been achieved in several clinical studies through regular L-lysine supplementation. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, treatment with 1000 mg L-lysine (in the form of L-lysine hydrochloride) three times a day for 6 months reduced the severity of the symptoms and significantly shortened the healing period (3).
An earlier study shows the preventive success of L-lysine therapy. A daily intake of 1248 mg L-lysine hydrochloride significantly reduced the reinfection rate with herpes simplex. However, no positive results were obtained at a dose of 624 mg (4). An exact adherence to the dosage recommendation therefore seems to be an important prerequisite for reaching the therapy goal. Consistent L-lysine prophylaxis can extend the overall time span between the recurrence of herpes simpex labialis (5).
An interaction with the absorption of the amino acid L-arginine is assumed to be the cause for the effect of L-lysine in this indication framework. L-arginine is needed by the herpes simplex virus for replication, so arginine-rich foods such as chocolate and nuts should be avoided in herpes infections. Since arginine and lysine affect each other during resorption, high L-lysis inputs deprive the virus of the required arginine (1).

Pre-stage of L-carnitine

L-lysine is also a precursor for L-carnitine, an orthomolecular substance with essential importance for the cell's energy metabolism. For the body's own adequate L-carnitine biosynthesis, an exogenous L-lysine supply is required (1).

L-lysine and calcium uptake

New research investigates the interaction of L-lysine and calcium uptake into the body. Part of the food calcium is absorbed from the intestine into the body tissue via an active transport mechanism. A deficiency of L-lysine brings this active mechanism to a standstill and leads to reduced calcium uptake into the cells (6). In addition, L-lysine improves the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys and thus reduces the excretion rate. The combined effect of increased uptake and reduced excretion can promote a positive calcium balance in the body (7).

L-lysine for arteriosclerosis prevention

There is evidence that L-lysine can be used as an additional measure to prevent arteriosclerosis. Lysine is thought to prevent the deposition of lipoprotein A on the arterial walls (8).

Deficiency symptoms

Impact on	Symptoms
Immune system	Herpes simplex recurrence, increased susceptibility to infection
Metabolism	Disorders in amino acid, carnitine and fat metabolism
Bone	Disorder of bone metabolism

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	Therapeutic treatment for herpes simplex infections	3 g/d
	For prevention of recurrent infections of herpes simplex	0.5 - 1.5 g/d
	To improve a weakened immune response caused by an L-lysine deficiency	1 - 3 g/d
	To increase endogenous carnitine synthesis	0.5 - 1.5 g/d
	To improve the calcium balance in the organism	0.5 - 1.5 g/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	L-lysine should be taken throughout the day between meals.
	Notes: L-lysine inhibits the intestinal uptake of L-arginine and influences arginine-dependent metabolic processes. Since the herpes virus requires L-arginine for replication, people with recurrent herpes infections are recommended to avoid foods rich in arginine and to increase their L-lysine intake.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
Hyperlysinemia due to lysine-ketoglutarate reductase defect

Interactions

Drug interactions
None	No relevant interactions are known to date.
Nutrient interactions
Trace elements	Calcium: Lysine has a positive effect on intestinal calcium resorption and renal calcium preservation.
Amino acids	Lysine may increase the effect of arginine by delaying arginine transport from blood to cells. Lysine is said to inhibit the uptake of arginine into the virus-producing cells in herpes, as both amino acids use the same transport route.

Description and related substances

Description

Proteinogenic, essential, basic amino acid

Related substances

L-lysine/L-lysine hydrochloride (natural or stabilized natural form),
D-lysine (synthetic form),
DL-lysine (racemate in drugs)

References

1) Gröber, U. 2002. Orthomolekulare Medizin. Ein Leitfaden für Apotheker und Ärzte.
2) Burgerstein, L. 2002. Handbuch der Nährstoffe.
3) Griffith, R. S. 1987. Success of L-Lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Dermatologia. 175(4):183-90.
4) McCune, M. A. et al. 1984. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex infections with L- Lysine monohydrochlorid. Cutis. 34(4):366-73.
5) Milman, N. et al. 1980. Lysine prophylaxis in recurrent herpes simplex labialis: a double-blind controlled crossover study. Acta Derm Vernereol. 60(1):85-7.
6) Citivelli, R. et al. 1989. Effect of L-lysine on cytosolic calcium homeostasis in cultured human normal fibroblasts. Calcif Tissue Int. 45(3):193-7.
7) Citivelli, R. et al. 1992. Dietary L-Lysine and calcium metabolism in humans. Nutrition. 8(6):400-5.
8) Dietl, H., Ohlenschläger, G. 2003. Handbuch der orthomolekularen Medizin. Prävention und Therapie durch körpereigene Substanzen.

References Interactions
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.