Once depression sets in, it can be very difficult to find your way back to a non-depressed state. That is because depression is a complex psychological state brought on by lifestyle choices, nutritional factors, sleep deprivation, chemical imbalances, relationship and financial situations, and other life events. Lysine is an essential amino acid that when lacking in your diet may play a role in your depressive symptoms. Getting enough of it is essential to your well-being on many levels. Always work with your doctor to determine what, if any, supplements are right for you.
Lysine Functions
Amino acids are necessary for the body to build proteins. They must be present in a certain quantity at the right time to perform their roles, according to The Biology Project's website, because you cannot store them for later use. Lysine is one of the eight essential amino acids because it cannot be made inside the human body and must be consumed regularly. It supports the production of hormones and muscle tissue, and it is essential for keeping the pineal gland, mammary glands and ovaries working. It balances calcium levels, ensures bone and muscle growth, and keeps nitrogen levels in the body within normal range, according to WorldHealth.net. Producing carnitine, a nutrient that keeps cholesterol in check and is involved with fat metabolism, is another lysine function.
Lysine Deficiency
Several populations are more prone to a lysine deficiency. Those who have suffered severe burns, athletes, and also individuals who do not eat any meat or bean protein, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Deficiency symptoms are reproductive issues, nausea, no appetite, poor concentration, fatigue, irritability, anemia and lethargy. Children need 23 mg of lysine per kilogram of body weight and adults require 12 mg per each kilogram of body weight.
Lysine for Depression and Anxiety
Interestingly, symptoms of fatigue, irritability and low concentration, which are associated with lysine deficiency, are also depression symptoms. LifeExtension.com states that lysine acts as a partial serotonin receptor antagonist, promoting healthy brain function.
According to HealthyPlace.com, depression and anxiety typically go hand in hand; in a study reported in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, men from households in Northwest Syria who used wheat flour fortified with lysine for several months reduced anxiety levels.
Lysine Supplementation
You get lysine from foods such as eggs, dairy, beans, yeast, soy and whole grains. It is also prevalent in seafood and meats. Nuts are a viable source and so are legumes. You can also obtain lysine from pills, creams, capsules and liquids. Check with your doctor before taking lysine because ingesting too much might trigger gallstones or interactions with medications, causing side effects. Arginine, another amino acid, should not be taken at the same time as lysine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
