Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
A new diet pill advertised on TV popped up. It’s called Lysine and claimed to be a safe and effective way of losing weight. I’m not going to give you my opinion about diet pills (good, bad or ugly), which one is best or how you should go about losing weight. All I want to do here is explain what lysine is, what it can be used for and why you might wanna lose some weight!
Lysine is an essential amino acid and can be the key to weight loss. Check out these lysine benefits where I discuss how many people have lost weight by taking 2 grams of l-lysine a day. Lysine for weight loss is a very specific subject with a fairly limited amount of research into it. Most people suffering with obesity will turn to anything they can do to help them lose weight. But here are some good reasons why you should reconsider using this supplement for your weight loss efforts. If you want to know more about Lysine For Weight Loss, make sure you read this article.
Lysine For Weight Loss

Lysine, or L-lysine, is an essential amino acid, meaning it is necessary for human health, but the body cannot make it. You have to get lysine from food or supplements. Amino acids like lysine are the building blocks of protein. Lysine is important for proper growth, and it plays an essential role in the production of carnitine, a nutrient responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping lower cholesterol. Lysine appears to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendons, and cartilage.
Most people get enough lysine in their diet. Although athletes, burn patients, and vegans who do not eat beans may need more. If you do not have enough lysine, you may experience:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Agitation
- Bloodshot eyes
- Slow growth
- Anemia
- Reproductive disorders
For vegans, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) are the best sources of lysine.
Uses
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Some studies suggest that taking lysine on a regular basis may help prevent outbreaks of cold sores and genital herpes. Others show no improvement. Lysine has antiviral effects by blocking the activity of arginine, which promotes HSV replication. One review found that oral lysine is more effective atpreventing an HSV outbreak than it is at reducing the severity and duration of an outbreak. One study found that taking lysine at the beginning of a herpes outbreak did not reduce symptoms. Most experts believe that lysine does not improve the healing of cold sores. But supplementation may reduce recurrences or improve symptoms.
Osteoporosis
Lysine helps the body absorb calcium and reduces the amount of calcium that is lost in urine. Since calcium is crucial for bone health, some researchers think lysine may help prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Lab studies suggest that lysine in combination with L-arginine (another amino acid) makes bone-building cells more active and enhances production of collagen. But no studies have examined whether lysine helps prevent osteoporosis in humans.
Athletic performance
Athletes sometimes use lysine as a protein supplement. Some studies suggest lysine helps muscle tissue recover after stress.
Dietary Sources
Good sources of lysine include foods that are rich in protein, such as:
- Meat, specifically red meat, pork, and poultry
- Cheese, particularly parmesan
- Certain fish, such as cod and sardines
- Eggs
- Soybeans, particularly tofu, isolated soy protein, and defatted soybean flour
- Spirulina
- Fenugreek seed
Brewer’s yeast, beans and other legumes, and dairy products also contain lysine.
Available Forms
Lysine is available in tablets, capsules, creams, and liquids, and is usually sold in the L-lysine form.
How to Take It
Pediatric
Speak with your pediatrician regarding appropriate dosages. Dosage is usually adjusted based on body weight.
Adult
Dosing depends on different factors. Talk to your doctor to determine the right dose for you.
Precautions
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Lysine can increase the absorption of calcium. Use caution when taking large amounts of calcium while supplementing with lysine.
While lysine in the diet is considered safe, excessive doses may cause gallstones. There have also been reports of renal dysfunction, including Fanconi syndrome and renal failure.
Talk to your doctor before taking supplemental lysine if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Possible Interactions
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications or supplements, you should not use lysine supplements without first talking to your doctor.
Arginine: Arginine and lysine share common pathways in the body. High levels of arginine may lower lysine levels in the body.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin, etc.): Use with lysine may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Health benefits of lysine

The human body needs lysine for healthy functioning. It is a crucial component of proteins that play a role in helping body tissue grow and recover from damage. Other benefits of lysine include:
- helping the body absorb calcium, iron, and zinc
- promoting collagen growth
- helping produce enzymes, antibodies, and hormones
- supporting the immune system
When people do not get enough lysine, they may experience the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- poor concentration
- irritability
- nausea
- red eyes
- hair loss
- anorexia
- inhibited growth
- anemia
- problems with the reproductive system
Below, we discuss the possible health benefits of lysine supplements.
Treating herpes
Lysine might help control the herpes virus. As a result, lysine supplements may reduce the number and frequency of cold sore outbreaks, for which the herpes simplex type 1 virus is responsible.
Lysine can also help with the treatment of genital herpes. Some sources recommend that people with a history of herpes infections take 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) of lysine supplements a day.
Lowering blood pressure
According to one small-scale studyTrusted Source, lysine can help reduce high blood pressure in people whose dietary intake of this amino acid is insufficient. However, more research is necessary before experts can determine whether or not lysine is an effective treatment for high blood pressure.
Treating diabetes
The results of a small studyTrusted Source on 12 healthy volunteers suggest that lysine can slow the rise in blood glucose levels after eating. This discovery could lead to effective treatments for people with diabetes, but there is still a need for more research.
Other benefits
Due to the functions that lysine supports in the body, researchers are interested in the potential of lysine supplements for:
- preventing loss of lean muscle mass and mobility issues in older adults
- relieving anxiety
- preventing bone loss and osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium
- promoting the healthy growth of skin
- treating shingles
- moderating blood pressure
- preventing plaque buildup in arteries
- supporting hair growth
- building muscle in bodybuilders
- helping athletes recover from intense workouts
Sources of lysine

Lysine is present in many different foods. The primary sources are animal products, such as meat and dairy products. For vegetarians and vegans, legumes and wheat germ are good sources of this amino acid.
The following foods will help people meet their daily recommended intake of lysine:
- red meat
- chicken
- eggs
- fish, such as cod or sardines
- beans
- lentils
- Parmesan
- cottage cheese
- wheat germ
- nuts
- soybeans
- brewer’s yeast
- spirulina, a type of algae that manufacturers compress and sell in tablet or powder form
Most people, including vegetarians, get enough lysine from their usual diet and do not need to take supplements.
Side effects
Taking lysine supplements is very safe and does not seem to cause many side effects. Most people can take a daily dose of up to 3 grams (g) of lysine without any side effects.
Increasing the dosage of lysine to 10–15 g a day may result in digestive issues, such as:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- stomach cramps
There are reports of an association between lysine supplements and kidney problems, and studies in animals suggest that lysine supplements may increase the risk of gallstones and higher cholesterol.
How to use and dosage
People usually take lysine by mouth, but they can also apply it to the skin, for instance, to treat cold sores.
Experts believe that lysine is most effective when people take it with water on an empty stomach.
Researchers estimate that a 70 kilogram (kg) person needs around 800–3,000 mg of lysine per day. A person’s body weight affects how much they need as follows:
- 12 mg/kg of body weight for adults
- 44 mg/kg for children 11 to 12 years old
- 97 mg/kg for infants 3 to 6 months old
In the United States and other developed countries, most people get enough lysine without needing to make adjustments to their diet. However, people who do not eat animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, should ensure that they are getting enough lysine from plant sources.
People recovering from burns or other severe injuries and individuals doing frequent, high-intensity workouts may benefit from a higher-than-average daily intake of lysine.
Experts continue to research effective dosages for clinical purposes. Some studies have shown benefits for doses of 100 mg to 4 g per day.
People who use this amino acid to boost their fitness workouts may obtain greater benefits if they take it before sleep or exercise.
Drug and chemical interactions

Lysine interacts with arginine, which is an amino acid that supports the circulatory system. Taking large quantities of lysine may reduce the body’s ability to move arginine through the system.
Lysine may also interact with a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides, potentially resulting in kidney damage. Doctors usually give these antibiotics, which include streptomycin and neomycin, by injection to treat serious infections.
As lysine increases the absorption of calcium, people should monitor how much calcium they take when they use lysine supplements.
Risks
Doctors do not recommend lysine supplements for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People taking lysine supplements should monitor their cholesterol levels due to the potential link with higher cholesterol.
Anyone with kidney or liver problems should avoid taking lysine supplements.