Lysine Information

1) Conditions Lysine Has Been Studied For

Lysine, an essential amino acid, has been studied for various health conditions, including:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

Research on the effectiveness of lysine in treating these conditions shows mixed results:

• Some evidence suggests lysine may help prevent and treat herpes infections when taken as a supplement.
• There is limited evidence that lysine may contribute to bone health and could be beneficial in osteoporosis.
• Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of lysine in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, or anxiety.

3) Health Benefits of Lysine

Lysine is known to have several health benefits, including:

• Promoting collagen formation and contributing to skin and connective tissue health
• Supporting calcium absorption and bone health
• Playing a role in producing hormones, enzymes, and antibodies

4) Downsides of Lysine

While lysine is generally considered safe, there are some potential downsides:

• High doses may cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or abdominal pain.
• Long-term use in high doses could potentially lead to increased cholesterol levels and gallstones.
• It may interact with certain medications, such as calcium supplements or aminoglycoside antibiotics.

5) Lysine and Genetic Variations

Research on lysine and genetic variations is still in the early stages, and it is not yet clear if lysine is particularly beneficial or harmful for specific genetic variations. However, individuals with certain genetic disorders that affect amino acid metabolism, such as hyperlysinemia, may require special consideration regarding their lysine intake.

Research Summary on L-lysine

Therapeutic Applications and Safety

L-lysine monohydrochloride (LMH) is commonly used as an over-the-counter oral supplement, particularly for the suppression of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections. Emerging research suggests potential benefits for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. However, further studies are needed to confirm these applications. Safety and toxicity of LMH, especially for long-term use at various dosages, are also discussed in the review.

Impact on Growth and Nitrogen Retention

Studies on male weanling rats indicate that dietary L-lysine affects growth and nitrogen retention. Especially when sulfur amino acids were the limiting amino acid, efficiency of nitrogen gain decreased. These findings could inform optimization of animal diets.

Influence on Acrylamide Formation

Lysine significantly reduces the production of acrylamide, a potentially harmful compound, when heated with asparagine and glucose. This suggests a role for lysine in improving the safety of heat-processed foods.

Absorption of Minerals

Research indicates that lysine complexes can enhance the absorption of copper more effectively than its inorganic form, potentially impacting the treatment of copper deficiency disorders. However, high dietary levels of lysine do not interfere with copper or iron absorption when adequate protein is present.

Effects on Mineral Levels in Animals

In animal studies, dietary lysine supplementation at high levels led to decreased liver copper and iron levels, suggesting that lysine might affect the body's use of these minerals or increase their excretion.

Copper Amino Acid Complexes

Copper amino acid complexes, including Cu-lysine, show resistance to inhibitory effects on copper absorption caused by L-cysteine and L-ascorbic acid, with implications for animal nutrition and copper supplementation strategies.

Transport Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Transport of cationic amino acids, such as lysine, across the blood-brain barrier is mediated by system y+, which influences the availability of certain amino acids in the brain and the production of nitric oxide.

Impact on Schizophrenia

A pilot study examines the potential benefits of L-lysine as an additional treatment for schizophrenia, alongside antipsychotic drugs. Although L-lysine increased blood levels of the amino acid and showed some improvement in symptoms, effects were not clearly distinguishable from a placebo.

Role in Calcium Metabolism

L-lysine supplementation might help increase intestinal absorption and renal conservation of calcium, with potential implications for preventing and treating osteoporosis.

References:

1. The metabolic roles, pharmacology, and toxicology of lysine
2. Use of a four-parameter logistic equation to evaluate the response of growing rats to ten levels of each indispensable amino acid
3. Response of adult rats to deficiencies of different essential amino acids
4. Effect of amino acids on acrylamide formation and elimination kinetics
5. Amino acid facilitates absorption of copper in the Caco-2 cell culture model
6. l-Lysine supplementation does not affect the bioavailability of copper or iron in rats
7. Effect of excess L-lysine on rat growth and on plasma and tissue concentrations of copper, iron and zinc
8. Copper-amino acid complexes are partially protected against inhibitory effects of L-cysteine and L-ascorbic acid on copper absorption in chicks
9. Evaluating copper lysine and copper sulfate sources for heifers
10. Mineral balance of finishing pigs fed copper sulfate or a copper-lysine complex at growth-stimulating levels
11. Bioavailability of feed-grade copper sources (oxide, sulfate, or lysine) in growing cattle
12. Cationic amino acid transport across the blood-brain barrier is mediated exclusively by system y+
13. Cationic amino acid transport into cultured animal cells. I. Influx into cultured human fibroblasts
14. Interference of L-arginine analogues with L-arginine transport mediated by the y+ carrier hCAT-2B
15. L-lysine decreases nitric oxide production and increases vascular resistance in lungs isolated from lipopolysaccharide-treated neonatal pigs
16. L-lysine as adjunctive treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over pilot study
17. The improvement effect of L-Lys as a chemical chaperone on STZ-induced diabetic rats, protein structure and function
18. The effect of a controlled 8-week metabolic ward based lysine supplementation on muscle function, insulin sensitivity and leucine kinetics in young men
19. Prevention of non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation): Implication in the treatment of diabetic complication
20. The Preventive Effect of L-Lysine on Lysozyme Glycation in Type 2 Diabetes
21. AMINO ACID REQUIREMENTS OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS IN HUMAN CELLS
22. Relation of arginine-lysine antagonism to herpes simplex growth in tissue culture
23. Failure of lysine in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection
24. Failure of lysine in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis
25. Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis
26. Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex infections with L-lysine monohydrochloride
27. Lysine as a prophylactic agent in the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis
28. Lysine prophylaxis in recurrent herpes simplex labialis: a double-blind, controlled crossover study
29. A study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acids
30. Oral arginine-lysine does not increase growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor-I in old men
31. Low-dose amino acid supplementation: no effects on serum human growth hormone and insulin in male weightlifters
32. Comparative effects of oral aromatic and branched-chain amino acids on urine calcium excretion in humans
33. L-type amino acids stimulate gastric acid secretion by activation of the calcium-sensing receptor in parietal cells
34. Supplementing a low-protein diet with dibasic amino acids increases urinary calcium excretion in young women
35. Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans
36. The use of L-lysine monomydrochloride in combination with mercurial diuretics in the treatment of refractory fluid retention
37. L-lysine monohydrochloride. A clinical study of its action as a chloruretic acidifying adjuvant to mercurial diuretics
38. Serum lipids of rats fed excess L-lysine and different carbohydrates

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