If you have not heard of Lysine then keep reading, because it is one of those important nutrients that everyone should be aware of because it provides some really important benefits to your body and overall health. Lysine is a tiny but powerful amino acid that has a wealth of health benefits. Of the 9 essential amino acids your body requires, Lysine is one of the most important. It plays a very important role in the body and is a necessary part of the diet. It’s vital for cell growth and for normal growth and muscle turnover, tissue repair, and the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes. What’s more, it helps transport fats across your cells to be burned for energy so can be great for energy levels and will help sports performance and muscle growth.
Lysine is needed by the body to make proteins that we can’t produce ourselves naturally. The only way we can obtain lysine is through what we eat. As an essential nutrient needed for growth and function, it is super important to obtain the proper amount from foods or supplements. While lysine is present in a number of common foods, it is most plentiful in animal proteins.
Here are some great sources:
- Nuts and seeds: Macadamia, pumpkin seeds and cashews
- Fish: Salmon, cod, and tuna
- Meat: Beef, chicken and lamb
- Seafood: Mussels, prawns and oysters
- Dairy: Milk, cheese and yogurt
- Vegetables: Potatoes, peppers and leek
- Fruits: Avocado, dried apricots and pears
- Legumes: Soy, kidney beans and chickpeas
Most adults need about 30 milligrams of Lysine per kilogram of body weight per day. For an 80kg person, this is about 2,400 milligrams per day.
Here are 4 impressive health benefits
1. The Protection Against and Treatment of Cold Sores by Blocking Arginine
2. The reduction of Anxiety by Blocking Stress Response Receptors
3. Can Improve Calcium Absorption and Retention
4. Promote Wound Healing by Helping Create Collagen
Other Potential Benefits
- Cancer: One animal study found that lysine in combination with the antioxidant catechin reduced cancer cell growth in mice.
- Eye Health: A study in rats with diabetes found that lysine supplements could prevent the development of cataract.
- Diabetes: One study showed that lysine may help reduce blood sugar response in people with diabetes. However, the connection is still uncler
- Blood Pressure: A study in 50 adults with lysine deficiency and high blood pressure found that a supplement significantly reduced blood pressure .
- Adequate lysine is essential for maintaining normal health and supplements may benefit certain people and conditions.