Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density. To prevent osteoporosis, a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may generally be recommended to you by your doctor. Lysine, an essential amino acid, may also be a good adjunct nutrient in preventing bone loss in people with osteoporosis. Speak to your doctor before taking lysine supplements.
About Lysine
Lysine is the essential amino acid that must be obtained through food sources or supplements. Lysine helps in the production of collagen, a protein that is the basic building block of bones, cartilage and tendons. Lysine aids the body in the absorption of calcium and reduces the loss of calcium in urine. Since calcium is important for bone health, lysine may help treat or prevent bone loss in people with osteoporosis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Findings
In a study published in 1992 in "Nutrition," researchers evaluated the effectiveness of certain amino acids, particularly lysine, on bone health in people with osteoporosis. The experiment involved 15 healthy and 15 osteoporotic women. Researchers found that supplementation with lysine at a dosage of 800 mg per day may increase calcium absorption and increase bone mass in people with osteoporosis.
Food Sources and Dosage
The daily requirement of lysine appears to be about 1 g, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. The richest source of lysine is protein-rich food, such as meat, poultry, Parmesan cheese, legumes, eggs and soybeans, particularly tofu, isolated soy protein and defatted soybean flour. As of 2011, a recommended dietary allowance for lysine does not exist. However, for adults ages 13 or older, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends a daily dosage of 12 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Safety
Although lysine is an essential part of diet, the safety and purity of lysine supplements has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to Drugs.com. Talk to your doctor before taking lysine because dietary supplements may be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center says that intake of lysine through diet appears to be safe.
