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Benefits of L-Lysine

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Herpes simplex prevention — a landmark RCT found 1 g lysine three times daily significantly reduced HSV recurrence rate and severity (Griffith et al., 1987, Dermatologica, n=52)
  • Collagen synthesis — lysine is essential for collagen cross-linking; deficiency impairs wound healing and connective tissue integrity
  • Calcium absorption — lysine enhances intestinal calcium absorption and reduces urinary calcium excretion, supporting bone health (Civitelli et al., 1992)
  • Anxiety reduction — a 2007 study found lysine + arginine combination (2.64 g each/day) reduced cortisol and anxiety in stressed adults (Smriga et al., Biomedical Research)
  • Carnitine production — lysine is a required substrate for endogenous carnitine synthesis along with methionine

What the Research Says

L-Lysine is most notable for its antiviral properties against HSV. The Griffith et al. (1987) RCT showed significant reduction in herpes recurrence at 3 g/day. The mechanism involves competitive inhibition of arginine, which HSV requires for replication. Beyond antiviral use, lysine supports collagen formation and calcium metabolism. Evidence quality is moderate — many studies are older and relatively small.

Related Conditions

Immune FunctionAnxietyStress
Full L-Lysine Guide

References

  1. (). Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Dermatologica. DOI
  2. (). Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans. Nutrition.
  3. (). Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans. Biomedical Research. DOI