There are many health supplements available in the market ranging from modern medicine to traditional based ingredients. Health supplements have been marketed to cater the various needs and health concerns for almost everyone in all stages of life. Among famous health supplements are vitamins, minerals, fish oil and protein. In this article, we will be focusing on lysine being a health supplement and is it healthy to take it everyday.
Firstly, lysine may seem alienated compared to other health supplements but for those who are health conscious, it is not a new nutrient to be known. Lysine is an essential amino acid which makes up protein alongside other amino acids. Essential amino acids mean an amino acid that could only be obtained from food because humans are unable to produce its own lysine. Lysine is usually sourced from food such as meat, eggs, fish, shellfish, soybean-based products like tempeh and tofu, dairy milk and fruits like orange, banana and cranberry. Though it is true that a person is able to get enough lysine solely from food, there is no guarantee that all types of food or the amount eaten is enough to provide the body the lysine needed. This is especially true for those picky eaters or not having a good eating practice. Those who are vegan or vegetarian are susceptible to receive inadequate lysine as the amount of lysine is much higher in meat and dairy products. Hence, lysine supplements can help these people to gain additional lysine covering what is lacking from the daily meal.
Therefore, is it healthy to take lysine everyday? Yes, it certainly does. Research shows 3000 mg of lysine via oral for a period of one year is safe. A healthy person can consume about 3 grams of lysine per day without facing any side effects. The recommended dosage of lysine is 500 mg 2-3 times daily. The accurate lysine dosage actually depends on the individual’s height and weight. When taken excessively, a person may experience side effects of stomach aches, abdominal cramp, nausea and diarrhoea. In severe cases of long-term high dose lysine supplementation, formation of gallstone and kidney problems such as acute kidney failure may occur even in healthy individuals. It is best to take lysine supplements as instructed by doctors or as described on the product’s label to avoid these side effects. Those on medications, especially antibiotics and containing calcium, may need to get medical advice from a healthcare professional before taking this lysine supplement.
Why does lysine supplements matter to people and why should you embark on this lysine supplements journey? Lysine provides numerous health benefits to those who regularly consume it. This includes helps to build strong bones and teeth, prevent one from heart disease by lowering cholesterol and maintaining blood pressure responsible for majority heart problems, making a person become energetic through production of carnitine needed for producing energy and can even help a person to alleviate emotional distress especially those struggling with mental health issues. One of the most prominent reasons lysine supplements to be used is to those diagnosed or was diagnosed with herpes as supplementation of lysine helps to reduce symptoms of herpes and prevent future herpes outbreak.
It can be concluded that lysine supplementation can greatly improve general well being of a person from physical to mental health. By taking it regularly and as instructed, a person can reap the maximum benefit of what a lysine supplement can offer. Lysine supplement via oral has been proved possible but there is no concrete evidence supporting the use of lysine through application to the skin.
References:
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysine#section=Mechanism-of-Action
https://bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6
