L-lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning your body does not produce it and you must obtain it through your diet. While most people do not have trouble getting enough lysine in their daily diets, you may require more lysine via supplementation if you are prone to experiencing herpes infections, are an endurance athlete or have experienced a burn. However, taking too much lysine on a long-term basis can potentially have harmful side effects. Always talk to your physician before beginning l-lysine supplements.
Dietary Lysine
L-lysine also is known as lysine and is present in food sources such as cheese, nuts, eggs, soybeans and beans. Meat sources, particularly red meat, pork and poultry, tend to be high in lysine as do fish such as cod and sardines.
Dosages
Your physician can recommend different dosages based on your medical condition and prescribe the proper length of time to take lysine supplements to avoid becoming ill. Being aware of initial symptoms of excess lysine supplementation, such as stomach upset, can indicate you have taken too much lysine. Sample dosages include 3,000 to 9,000 mg per day in divided doses while you are experiencing a cold sore, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you are taking lysine to help repair damaged muscle fibers after injury or exercise, you may wish to take about 12 mg per kg of your body weight per day. To calculate this dosage, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 and multiply this dosage by 12 mg.
Side Effects
Taking too much lysine has been linked with short-term reactions, such as diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain, according to Drugs.com. These can indicate that you are taking too high a dosage of your lysine supplement. Also, high dosages are associated with elevating cholesterol levels, an occurrence that can potentially lead to gallstone formation. If you experience pain in your upper middle abdomen that comes and goes, fever and yellowing of your skin and eyes, these are all indicators of gallstones.
Liver or Kidney Disease
If you have kidney or liver disease, take caution when taking lysine supplements. This is because your liver is responsible for breaking down amino acids in your body and your kidneys then filter the remaining proteins. However, if your liver and kidney function is compromised, you may not be able to properly break down and filter, which can contribute to an l-lysine buildup in your body.
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