Lysine & Arginine

Lysine and arginine are both amino acids, which are molecules that bind together to form protein. Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that your body cannot synthesize it and you must obtain it through dietary sources. Arginine is essential only for the young; adults are able to synthesize quantities adequate to sustain life. These two amino acids interact in several ways that are known to influence human health.

Herpes

The herpes virus depends on arginine to reproduce itself, according to Drugs.com. Lysine, on the other hand, represses replication of the herpes virus by competing with arginine for absorption, causing enzymes to break down arginine and enhancing the excretion of arginine. A June 2007 article in the "Alternative Medicine Review" suggests that increasing your lysine-to-arginine ratio is beneficial in managing herpes outbreaks.

Anxiety

Though in cases of herpes, arginine and lysine appear to be at cross-purposes, when it comes to treating anxiety, these two amino acids may work together to produce beneficial effects. A double blind, placebo controlled study published in the 2007 edition of "Biomedical Research" found that a combination of arginine and lysine aid in reducing levels of mental stress and anxiety in otherwise healthy humans. The effects observed were considered to denote a significant decrease in both long-term and acute instances of anxiety after one week of oral administration of lysine and arginine.

Osteoporosis

Lysine increases your body's ability to absorb calcium from the foods you eat, while decreasing the urinary excretion of calcium. For this reason, it is believed that lysine may decrease your risk of bone loss, or osteoporosis. A study published in "Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy" in May 2001 concluded that both lysine and arginine may be helpful in staving off bone loss by increasing cell proliferation and collagen production in areas of low bone density.

Sources

Lysine and arginine are both present in protein rich foods such as meat, poultry and dairy products. They are also available as supplements sold in natural foods stores. Though these amino acids are general considered safe, it is best to consult your doctor before taking amino acids, such as lysine or arginine, to treat a particular health disorder whether it's herpes, osteoporosis or anxiety.