Lysine, an essential amino acid that the body needs but cannot produce on its own, may help prevent viral outbreaks, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Amino acids are responsible for producing proteins and help convert fatty acids to energy. Lysine occurs naturally in foods rich in protein, such as poultry, as well as Parmesan cheese, cod and dairy. Trials done mostly in the 1980s to establish a connection between lysine and herpes infections have been mixed.
Shingles
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a type of viral infection that causes a painful rash. The most distinctive sign of a shingles outbreak is a band of blisters that wraps around the trunk. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus -- the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus remains in the body in a latent state. While it's not contagious, the virus can awaken later in life, causing an irritating rash. An outbreak can last about 14 days, according to MedlinePlus, but the residual pain can last for weeks or months, even after your blisters heal. According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 25 percent of adults will get shingles at some point, typically after the age of 40.
Lysine
Lysine may prevent herpes viral infections, according to the University of Maryland. People who experience recurrent shingles could benefit from taking lysine supplements or making lysine a regular part of their diet since the compound may not reduce symptoms of an existing infection, but could prevent the onset of an outbreak.
Positive Results
In a study that analyzed the effect of lysine on herpes viruses that cause contagious outbreaks on the mouth and genitals, results were positive. In 1983, researchers from the "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy" surveyed 1,543 subjects after six-months on a lysine supplement. Eight-four percent reported that the supplement prevented recurrence or decreased frequency of outbreaks. Seventy-nine percent said their symptoms were less severe and intolerable with lysine. Eighty-eight percent considered lysine an effective treatment for a herpes infection. While shingles are not the same as mouth and genital sores, they're all caused by the herpes virus.
Negative Results
Not all studies have produced positive results for using lysine to treat the herpes virus. A 1984 "Archives of Dermatology" study examined the effect of the amino acid on a group of 21 patients with a history of herpes infections. No significant benefit was reported in the group taking lysine supplements compared to those on a placebo. The compound did not ease symptoms of a current outbreak nor did it prevent recurrences.
Supplements
The University of Maryland suggests that healthy children over the age of 12 and adults take 12 mg of lysine daily. Adults who experience herpes infections should take 3,000 to 9,000 mg a day. To prevent recurrences, take 1,000 mg three times a day. While dietary lysine is considered safe, before starting a new supplement, talk to your doctor first, especially if you have kidney or liver disease.
References
- "IArchives of Dermatology"; Failure of Lysine in Frequently Recurrent Herpes Simplex nfection; DiGiovanna JJ; January 1984
- "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy"; Subjective Response to Lysine in the Therapy of Herpes Simplex; David Walsh; May 1983
- MayoClinic.com: Shingles; September 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lysine; July 2010
- MedlinePlus: Shingles
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Shingles; June 2011
