Lysine prevents and reduces cold sores.
Read on for how much you need.
Supplemental lysine has been used to prevent and treat cold sores.
Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images
The herpes simplex virus causescold sores.
Theherpes virusspreads through contact with fluid in open cold sores.
This article reviews research on lysine for cold sores and any safety considerations associated with lysine supplements.
Goodboy Picture Company / Getty Images
What Is Lysine?
Lysine is an amino acid necessary for human growth, health, and functioning.
Lysine is vital for making protein in the body.
It also helps form collagen and supports adequate calcium absorption.
As an essential amino acid, the body cannot produce lysine.
Instead, lysine must come from food.
However, once you get a cold sore, youll likely continue getting them.
Additional research is required to determine precisely how much lysine to take for a cold sore.
How Does Lysine Work?
Lysine supports collagen and antibody production, helping to repair tissues and fight infection.
Whetherlysine works on cold soresis still unclear.
Older research supports lysine for cold sores.
Conversely, other research has found no benefit of lysine for cold sores.
Participants took 1,000 mg of lysine daily for six months.
For most people, taking 1,000 mg daily of lysine is relatively harmless.
Why Do I Need Lysine?
That means you oughta get it through the food you eat.
Protein needs, in general, are higher during pregnancy.
Similarly, lysine requirements increase during pregnancy.
The RDA for lysine during pregnancy is 51 mg/kg daily.
Lysine must remain elevated while breastfeeding, with your RDA at 52 mg/kg daily.
What Foods are Rich in Lysine?
Animal-based foods tend to be high in lysine.
However, it is possible to meet the recommended lysine amounts on a plant-based diet.
Other foods common in a plant-based diet, like beans, are a potent source of lysine.
Limiting amino acid refers to the protein found in the smallest amount in a food.
Grain- and cereal-dominant diets may contain inadequate amounts of lysine.
Special Considerations for Lysine
For most people, lysine may be relatively harmless.
However, there are some instances when lysine supplements may not be safe or effective.
Reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Lysine increases calcium absorption while decreasing excretion.This means it causes more calcium to stay in your body for longer.
Arginine (another amino acid) and lysine compete for absorption in the intestines.
Consuming significant quantities of lysine (with supplements) can prevent arginine from being absorbed into the body.
Summary
Lysine is an essential amino acid.
Although some research suggests lysine may prevent or reduce the severity of cold sores, data is limited.
If you are prone to cold sores, supplementing regularly with 1,000 mg of lysine may reduce their occurrence.
However, limited research is available on taking lysine for cold sores.
Talk with your healthcare provider to see if lysine will be safe and effective for you.
Older research shows supplementing with lysine shortens the duration of a cold sore.
Cold sores can last up to 21 days.
you could reduce the risk of a cold sore by limiting exposure to this fluid.
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