Lysine is an amino acid that is essential for your daily body functions, but your body cannot manufacture it specifically. As a result, you must take in enough through your daily diet or with supplements. Taking lysine supplements also may have some benefits to you when you experience conditions like frequent cold sore outbreaks. Knowing how much to take, however, can help you prevent adverse side effects associated with taking too much. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Recommended Dosages
For most people, a dosage of about 1 g of lysine per day is a sufficient intake, according to the New York University Langone Medical Center. Children ages 2 to 12 years of age should take about 23 mg per kilogram of their body weight each day. Children under the age of 2 should not take lysine supplements. However, you may need more if you are an athlete or recovering from an injury like a major burn. Lysine is needed for a number of body functions, ranging from the production of collagen to the production of carnitine, a nutrient needed to convert fatty acids into energy.
Benefits
Taking regular lysine supplements may be helpful in reducing the likelihood you will experience a cold sore outbreak. A therapeutic dosage to prevent herpes outbreak is considered about 1 g of lysine taken three times daily. This is because your body can only absorb so much lysine at any given time. Taking lysine supplements also may have some value in preventing osteoporosis because it helps the body absorb calcium.
Dosage Dangers
Excess lysine intake is associated with some harmful side effects. These include increased risk for developing gallstones or increasing your total cholesterol levels. While it is known that too much lysine can cause adverse effects, an upper limit has not been specifically determined, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Instead, it's best to follow your physician's recommendations regarding lysine dosage and avoid taking amounts in excess of this. For example, if your physician recommends taking 3 g of lysine per day to prevent cold sore outbreaks, do not exceed this recommended dosage in the hopes it will prove even more effective in preventing cold sores.
Food Sources
Most people get enough lysine in their daily diets. Animal protein sources like red meat and poultry tend to contain the highest amounts of lysine. However, dairy products, eggs, peas, lentils and beans also contain lysine. If you experience symptoms like fatigue, nausea, bloodshot eyes, dizziness and appetite loss, these can be associated with lysine insufficiency in your daily diet. Taking a supplement may be necessary if you seem to experience a chronic lysine deficiency.
Member Comments