Lysine

Lysine is another amino acid that is in the spotlight as a bit of a wonder drug, because it is not only essential in itself, but it forms part of many other elements once inside the body. Most of the attention it gets is due to its potential help in warding off herpes outbreaks, but it has other uses as well.

Because it is one of the essential building blocks for proteins in the body, it is necessary to muscle health. It is also involved in supporting the immune system, hormonal balance, enzyme production, and joint and tissue repair. This means that it is not generally considered to be directly useful for diabetes, but may be helpful in mitigating secondary causes of diabetes, or in coping with the long term affects of diabetes.

Lysine is similar to arginine in some ways - they compete for the same receptors in the body, so a balance between the two is needed. People who consume a lot of chocolate often have lysine deficiencies because chocolate is high in arginine. The two elements do very different things in the body, and lysine is the more likely of the two to be deficient. Since meats and eggs are some of the highest sources of lysine, some sources suggest that a vegan diet may leave people low in lysine. Lysine insufficiency is associated with male impotence also.

High doses of lysine have been associated with gallstones, and with nausea and diarrhea, so if you experience side effects that are noticeable, it may be an indication that this is not a supplement you need to be taking. As with other supplements, monitor your reactions carefully, talk to your doctor about it, and use it at your own risk.

Written by Laura Wheeler, Owner of Firelight Business Enterprises, Inc.