In natural health circles, lysine supplements are highly recommended, and you may have heard that supplementing with lysine might be a good choice for you. However, if you’re not familiar with lysine you may have some questions about what lysine supplements are and what they do.
While it’s good to be aware of the possible solutions to your health problems, you should never just jump on the latest supplement because it sounds good, without knowing what it does and why. I’ll answer those questions for you so that you can make an informed decision about your natural health supplements.
What areLysine Supplements?
Lysine is an essential amino acid. There are nine of these essential nutrients. “Essential” means it cannot be manufactured by the human body but must be consumed through diet or through lysine supplements.
Lysine Benefits
As an amino acid, lysine is one of the components which creates protein in the body. Some of the functions of lysine include growth and repair of bone and tissue. But more than that, lysine helps to produce hormones, antibodies for various diseases and enzymes which aid in healing the body, and is required for the proper production of collagen.
You may have heard of using lysine supplements for cold sores. Lysine helps to normalize the balance of nutrients required for the body to deal with the herpes simplex virus. This means, in simple language, that lysine can reduce the severity and duration of cold sores and keep them from recurring.
Lysine also helps prevent atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. So as you can see, lysine is quite an important nutrient and keeps your body running smoothly.
Lysine Side Effects
If you happen to consume too much lysine, you might experience diarrhea abdominal cramps. If this happens to you while you’re taking lysine supplements, simply reduce the dosage to eliminate the side effects.
Lysine Rich Foods
There are a number of lysine-rich foods, many of which you already eat and which can help you maintain proper levels of lysine in your diet. These foods include lima beans, cheese, eggs, fish, meat, yogurt, milk and potatoes. Eating a balanced diet from all the major food groups should help you maintain a healthy lysine balance.
What are the Signs of Lysine Deficiency?
There are a number of symptoms of lysine deficiency. They include irritability, lack of energy, anemia, hair loss, poor concentration, poor appetite and weight loss. Lysine supplements can correct this deficiency and return your body’s functioning to normal.
Lysine Dosage
However, if you feel that your lysine levels are low, it is a very good idea to use lysine supplements to improve these levels. Your body will function better, you will feel better and you will enjoy better overall health due to proper lysine levels.
You should consume about 12mg of lysine for each kilogram of your body weight, each day. You can buy lysine at your local health food store or your favorite online vitamin store.
You should use L-Lysine, rather than D-Lysine, for the best effect.
Hopefully this information has answered any questions you have about lysine and supplementation with lysine capsules. As an essential amino acid, Lysine is a critical part of your body’s growth and repair process, and lysine deficiency can result in serious discomfort and illness.
It is always best, of course, to get your lysine through your diet, but if you cannot or do not, then L-Lysine supplements, rather than D-Lysine, can help you create the proper levels of lysine in your body and return your body to proper health, as well as preventing illness from cold sores to hardening of the arteries.