L lysine how much to take

The blister appears in stage 2…. Cold sores are red, fluid-filled blisters that usually form near your mouth or other areas of your face. There's no cure for cold sores and they may…. Without treatment, fever blisters can last up to four weeks.

After treatment, you…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. Treatment Dosage Side effects Precautions Outlook Lysine and cold sores Cold sores , or fever blisters , result from a viral infection. Common foods rich in lysine include: beef chicken turkey pork codfish sardines eggs yogurt parmesan cheese spirulina soybeans Lysine is essential for human health, aiding calcium absorption and collagen formation.

How it works. Dosage for treating or preventing cold sores. Lysine side effects. Pregnancy and other precautions. This discovery could lead to effective treatments for people with diabetes , but there is still a need for more research. Due to the functions that lysine supports in the body, researchers are interested in the potential of lysine supplements for:.

Lysine is present in many different foods. The primary sources are animal products, such as meat and dairy products. For vegetarians and vegans, legumes and wheat germ are good sources of this amino acid. Most people, including vegetarians, get enough lysine from their usual diet and do not need to take supplements.

Taking lysine supplements is very safe and does not seem to cause many side effects. Most people can take a daily dose of up to 3 grams g of lysine without any side effects. Increasing the dosage of lysine to 10—15 g a day may result in digestive issues, such as:. There are reports of an association between lysine supplements and kidney problems, and studies in animals suggest that lysine supplements may increase the risk of gallstones and higher cholesterol.

People usually take lysine by mouth, but they can also apply it to the skin, for instance, to treat cold sores. Experts believe that lysine is most effective when people take it with water on an empty stomach.

Researchers estimate that a 70 kilogram kg person needs around —3, mg of lysine per day. In the United States and other developed countries, most people get enough lysine without needing to make adjustments to their diet. However, people who do not eat animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, should ensure that they are getting enough lysine from plant sources.

People recovering from burns or other severe injuries and individuals doing frequent, high-intensity workouts may benefit from a higher-than-average daily intake of lysine. Experts continue to research effective dosages for clinical purposes. Some studies have shown benefits for doses of mg to 4 g per day. People who use this amino acid to boost their fitness workouts may obtain greater benefits if they take it before sleep or exercise.

Lysine interacts with arginine, which is an amino acid that supports the circulatory system. J Am Coll Nutr ; [review]. Gallstone formation in hamsters: influence of specific amino acids.

Nutr Rep Int ; Excess dietary lysine induces hypercholesterolemia in chickens. Experientia ; Learn more about TraceGains, the company. The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies human, animal, or in vitro , clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available.

Information expires December PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Skip to main content. Health Information Library. Different doses have been used in research. For cold sores, studies have used doses of mg daily or mg three times daily.

Doses applied to the skin vary. If you want to use lysine supplements to treat or prevent a specific health problem, ask your doctor first. They can help you find the right dose and provide instructions for use.

The National Institutes of Health NIH recommends checking the supplement facts label before buying any dietary or herbal supplement, including lysine. This label provides important information about the amount of active ingredient per serving.

It should also include information about other ingredients. The NIH also recommends looking for a product that has been quality tested by an independent organization. Most supplements that have been quality tested will include these details in the product information. Quality testing organizations include:. A seal of approval from one of these organizations helps you know that the product was properly manufactured, contains the listed ingredients, and does not include harmful levels of contaminants.

It does not, however, guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness. Make sure to read the label before you purchase any supplement. Look for supplements that have been quality tested by a third party. Lysine is an important amino acid that can be found in high-protein foods like meat, nuts, beans, and eggs.

It is also available as an oral supplement or topical ointment. Some research suggests that lysine may be helpful for treating certain conditions, such as cold sores and anxiety. Before taking lysine, talk to your doctor about dosage and use. Some studies have shown that lysine has a small impact on glucose levels. Lysine is consumed naturally in meat beef, pork, poultry , cheese, certain fish, eggs, beans, legumes, and dairy products.

Most people get enough lysine in their diets, but those who do not may experience fatigue, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes, anemia, and reproductive challenges. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Medicinal uses of l-lysine: past and future. Int J Res Pharm Sci. Mailoo VJ, Rampes S. Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence. Integr Med. Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis cold sores on the lips.

Cochrane Database Syst Re v. Safety and effectiveness of an L-lysine, zinc, and herbal-based product on the treatment of facial and circumoral herpes.

Altern Med Rev.