Focus on Amino Acids: Lysine

Amino acids are some of the most basic building blocks of the body. They help us function in every way that is important to us - movement, thought, sight and other senses all depend on the presence of a range of amino acids. Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that we cannot synthesize it in the body - we need to get it from food or alternative health products. Today we take an in-depth look at lysine - what it is, what it does for us, and what you should do if you think you may be lysine deficient.

What is lysine?

As we mentioned, lysine is an essential amino acid. Lysine I a base amino acid, which means that it is often synthesied into other products - like arginine and hysitidine. When lysine is 'catabolised', it becomes acetoacetic acid. We first isolated llysine from casein, a wheat protein, in 1889.

What is lysine used for in the body?

At a base level, lysine is used in growth, to maintain the correct nitrogen balance in the body, and for converting fatty acids into energy. More specifically, lysine is also needed to:

• Produce antibodies
• Produce hormones
• Produce enzymes
• Repair tissue, assist with injury recovery
• Maintain healthy blood vessels
• Maintain blood cholesterol at an optimal level

Food sources of lysine

Most people get plenty of lysine through their diet, however there will be some subgroups who are prone to deficiency - particularly vegans and vegetarians. Red and white meat, cheese (especially parmesan), cod and sardines, nuts, eggs, soybeans and spirulina are all good sources of lysine, There are also trace amounts present in other foods - however these are the major sources.

Alternative health products with lysine

There are plenty of alternative medicine supplements that contain lysine. The best way to deliver this is in concert with other amino acids, in a complex formula. They often come in powder format, which is ideally taken in liquid such as water, or a milkshake o cup of soup, and with meals. You should take your lysine supplements in small amounts several times a day, rather than in ne big hit once a day.