Foods High in L-Lysine

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet. It helps the body produce carnitine, a nutrient that converts fatty acids into energy and lowers blood cholesterol. The substance also aids the body in calcium absorption and collagen formation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most healthy people get adequate L-lysine from a well-balanced diet. Athletes, vegans who don't eat enough beans, and burn patients may not obtain enough, however, and may need to increase their intake of foods high in L-lysine or take a supplement.

Meat and Dairy

The richest sources of L-lysine are meat and other animal proteins, according to the EBSCO Health Library, although the substance is also found in abundance in dairy products and numerous other protein-rich foods. Common meat and dairy foods high in L-lysine include eggs, milk, yogurt, margarine, butter, buttermilk, whipping cream, red meat, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, some fish including cod and sardines, seafood including clams, oysters, shrimp and lobster, and wild game including rabbit, pheasant and venison. Hard cheeses, particularly Parmesan, cheddar and Swiss, are a good dietary source of L-lysine. Cottage cheese, cream cheese, blue cheese and mozzarella also contain large amounts of the essential amino acid.

Legumes

According to WholeHealthMD, vegetables and plant-based foods are typically considered a poor source of L-lysine, with the exception of beans, peas and other legumes. Lima beans, mung beans, soybeans, lentils and split peas all contain high concentrations of the amino acid. Other beans and legumes that contain L-lysine include black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, wax beans, green peas, peanuts and peanut butter. Tofu, a type of bean curd made from soybeans, also contains a large amount of protein and L-lysine.

Other Foods

Other foods high in L-lysine include chocolate, brewer's yeast, coconut, spirulina, fenugreek seeds, carob, buckwheat, and various nuts and seeds. In the Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, Michael T. Murray explains that Brazil nuts, cashews and almonds all contain high concentrations of L-lysine. Hazelnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, pecans, macadamia nuts and pistachios also supply L-lysine, although at much lower quantities than other foods. In fact, any food that contains protein also contains L-lysine. The lower the amount of protein a food contains, however, the lower the amount of L-lysine it provides.