AOR L-Lysine - An Anti-viral Amino Acid - 500 mg 150 Vcaps

An essential amino acid Lysine cannot be produced in the body and must be obtained from the diet. Deficiencies of lysine are rare, but do occur on occasion in individuals who do not get a balanced diet. Deficiencies have been linked to fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, hair loss, anemia and reproductive problems. Even when lysine is not deficient, studies have found that its supplementation has beneficial effects on health. Cold sores, bone health and other benefits Lysine weakens the virus that causes cold sores, reducing the recurrence and severity of cold sores and speeding up their healing. Lysine also has roles in bone health by helping with calcium absorption and collagen formation. Lysine helps to maintain levels of carnitine, an important nutrient for energy. Lysine also helps maintain growth, body mass and nitrogen stores. As a factor in the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies, it can help speed recovery times after injury or surgery. Benefits beyond deficiency prevention Lysine's abilities to fight viruses, speed up recovery times and enhance bone health make it a valuable nutrient for health. Clinical trials have found that supplemental lysine is very safe and well tolerated. L-Lysine is one of the nine essential amino acids that must be obtained by dietary means to avoid deficiency. For most people, deficiency is rare, as L-Lysine is found in significant amounts in several common foods, such as legumes, dairy, fish and meat. Those most likely to suffer from deficiency are vegetarians who do not consume enough legumes or individuals who consume a diet high in cereals and baked goods. Like many amino acids, L-Lysine has multiple functions in the body because it is incorporated into many proteins that are used for a variety of purposes. Despite the rarity of deficiency, supplementation has still proven useful to treat herpes and cold sores, augment body-building and growth, support bone health, and maintain carnitine levels, an important factor in energy and aging. Herpes and Cold Sores One common use for L-Lysine is the treatment of herpes and cold sores. It is thought that L-Lysine's usefulness in the latter is based on its ability to impede the utilization of L-arginine by some lipid¬coated viruses. These viruses are therefore prevented from using L-arginine during key phases in their life cycle, thus weakening them and allowing the body to heal more quickly and reduce the possibility of recurrence. L-lysine is found to be especially effective when combined with a prescription antiviral medication such as acyclovir (Zovirax™) or valcyclovir (Valtrex™). Body-Building Nutrient With its role in the production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, lysine has become an increasingly common addition to parenteral formulations as part of post-operative analgesia in hospitals. It is also commonly used as a body-building supplement to assist in the accumulation of lean muscle tissue and to help maintain a positive nitrogen balance. Bone-Building Nutrient Since L-Lysine is needed by the body in order for it to properly absorb and conserve calcium, some researchers believe that it may have a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, or simply to augment the growth and development of strong bones. L-Lysine also helps to produce collagen, a substance important not only for bones, but also for connective tissues, including the skin, tendons, and cartilage. The end result is that L-Lysine has a directly pertinent role to play in skeletal and tendon health. Energy and Aging L-Lysine plays an important role in the production of carnitine, a 'non-essential' amino acid which is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy. Carnitine is also a key nutrient in the aging process, since its ability to carry fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane can revitalize the body's mitochondria, significantly slowing age-related decline. Furthermore, the aging process progressively diminishes the body's ability to synthesize carnitine, providing additional justification for L-lysine supplementation. Safety and Side-Effects Generally, L-Lysine is incredibly safe, and conventional dosages of L-Lysine supplementation (3-6 grams daily) haven't been reported to cause any problems in humans. Many of the treatment dosages for herpes and cold sores are as low as approximately one gram per day in three divided doses.