Lysine is an essential amino acid involved in growth, conversion of fats into energy, cholesterol metabolism and the absorption of calcium. The term "essential" refers to the fact that people must obtain lysine from foods such as meat, milk and legumes, because the body cannot synthesize lysine from other nutrients, as it does for 10 other nonessential amino acids. Lysine is also used as a treatment for herpes simplex infections. It has not been studied for any other herpes viruses.
Definition
Eight herpes viruses infect humans, according to Baylor College of Medicine professor Wayne X. Shandera in the 2010 edition of Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Herpes simplex 1 and 2 cause cold sores and genital herpes, respectively. A third herpes virus, varicella-zoster virus, causes both chicken pox and shingles. A fourth, Epstein-Barr virus, causes infectious mononucleosis. Human herpes virus-5, also known as cytomegalovirus, causes severe disease in organ transplant recipients and pregnant women but may go unrecognized in otherwise healthy people. The sixth and seventh viruses cause roseola, a childhood skin disease. Human herpes virus-8 has been linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, an unusual form of cancer seen mostly in AIDS patients and elderly Jewish or Italian men.
Significance
In the 2006 edition of his book "Natural Pharmacy," holistic medicine specialist Alan R. Gaby, M.D., explains that the herpes simplex virus has a high requirement for an amino acid called arginine. Lysine, according to Gaby, counteracts the growth-stimulating effects of arginine on the herpes simplex virus. Taking supplements that contain lysine appears to "reduce the recurrence rate of herpes simplex infections in both preliminary and double-blind studies." However, Gaby cautions that taking lysine at the onset of an outbreak as a means of treating symptoms has generated "mixed" results. Whether lysine would exert comparable effects on any of the other six human herpes viruses remains unknown. As of November 2010, the National Library of Medicine lists no studies.
Safety
Gaby says lysine doses up to 6 g per day appear to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults who are not pregnant or nursing. People with liver, kidney, heart or gallbladder disease and women who are pregnant or nursing should check with their doctors before taking lysine or any other nutritional supplement. Lysine does not replace conventional medical treatment for herpes simplex or any other herpes virus. All people with herpes viruses should consult a physician during the first outbreak of symptoms.
Sources
Lysine occurs naturally in many protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, milk, legumes and soybeans. The effectiveness of lysine from foods in preventing or treating any form of herpes, including herpes simplex, has never been studied. In the preliminary and double-blind studies that Gaby describes for people with herpes simplex, patients took lysine in the form of supplements in doses ranging from 312 mg to 3 g per day. Gaby specifically recommends doses between 1 and 3 g per day, because doses of less than 1 g per day appear to be ineffective. Interested patients can purchase lysine supplements at most grocery and drug stores.
Expert Insight
While the effectiveness of lysine for herpes viruses other than herpes simplex remains unknown, the University of Michigan Health System says that increasing lysine intake from foods "may be helpful" for people with shingles." However, it dismisses the use of lysine supplements for shingles as "speculative." Gaby says the evidence that lysine prevents recurrences of herpes simplex is stronger than the evidence that it treats symptoms. Other than shingles, few other herpes viruses flare episodically, the way herpes simplex does. This dissimilarity makes it even less likely that lysine will be helpful for people with other herpes viruses, but consult with a doctor for individualized advice.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lysine
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Herpes
- "Natural Pharmacy: Complete A to Z Reference to Alternative Treatments for Common Health Conditions"; Alan R. Gaby, M.D.; 2006
- University of Michigan Health System: Shingles and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
- "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2011"; Steven J. McPhee, M.D. and Maxine A. Papadakis, M.D.; 2010
