Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that it is necessary for human health but cannot be synthesized by the body and must obtain it through food sources. Amino acids 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 to lower cholesterol. Lysine aids in building muscle tissue, recovering from injury or surgery, and absorbing calcium effectively. Lysine supplements are also sometimes used to treat outbreaks of the herpes virus.

Although a deficiency of lysine is rare, since it is found in so many protein foods, the symptoms may include anemia, enzyme disorders, lack of energy, hair loss, bloodshot eyes, weight loss and retarded growth as well as reproductive problems, poor appetite and poor concentration. People on a vegan or vegetarian diet, using grains as their only source of protein and certain athletes involved in frequent vigorous exercise are at risk for lysine deficiency.

The daily dosage of lysine is about 12 mg per kilogram of body weight per day - which would translate to about 840 mg for a 70 kg male. Pregnant or breast feeding mothers, as well as patients with liver or kidney problems, must first consult a health professional before taking lysine supplements.

Good sources of lysine are foods rich in protein, including meat (specifically red meat, pork, and poultry), cheese, certain fish (such as cod and sardines), nuts, eggs, soybeans (particularly tofu, isolated soy protein, and defatted soybean flour), spirulina, and fenugreek seed.