How Can L-Lysine Support The Brain And Body?

📝 Medically reviewed by Dr. Evan Leonard

🔍 Last updated July 29, 2024

📚 21 citations

📖 8 minute read 

About the Author: 

Dr. Evan Leonard is a Doctor of Medical Science and a Clinical Anatomist. Additionally, he has been a board-certified physician associate since 2014. He practiced at the University of Florida's healthcare system for two years in internal medicine, followed by an additional two years in emergency and critical care medicine. He is now a university professor. 

--

A survey showed that 66% of American adults have little to no knowledge about brain health research. ¹

Your brain is a highly complex organ that controls motor skills, memory, and countless other processes. Research shows that natural botanicals like lysine may help support brain health, immune system, and digestive function. Lysine is an essential amino acid that your body obtains from outside sources, such as these L-Lysine + Monolaurin dietary supplements. ‡

Jump To:

• What Is Lysine?
• What Are Essential Amino Acids?
• Health Benefits of Lysine
• Sources of L-Lysine
• References

Keep reading to learn how L-lysine supplementation can support your brain and body.

See Related: How Can I Increase My White Blood Cell Count Naturally?

What Is Lysine?

Lysine, also known as L-lysine, is an essential amino acid. It was first discovered by the German scientist Dreschel in 1889 when he was able to isolate it from casein, a protein found in milk.

The body cannot produce lysine on its own, so it must be obtained through outside sources like diet or supplementation. A protein-rich diet can provide your body with many essential amino acids, including lysine. L-lysine can also be obtained through dietary supplementation. According to the World Health Organization, the daily required intake of lysine for adults is 30mg. ²

L-lysine plays a role in calcium absorption, protein synthesis, and the production of hormones and enzymes. It also provides your body with energy and supports a healthy immune response. ³

What Are Essential Amino Acids?

Essential amino acids are often described as the body's building blocks. These compounds play a critical role in many bodily processes.

The human body cannot synthesize these amino acids on its own; instead, they are obtained from outside sources. High concentrations of amino acids can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, and soybeans. Amino acids can also be found in animal proteins like eggs and plant-based foods like tofu or edamame. ⁴ ⁵

Humans need 20 different amino acids to function properly. Nine of these 20 amino acids are considered essential, with lysine being one of them. ⁶

Health Benefits of Lysine

Lysine is a building block for proteins in the body and plays a part in many processes. It is used for muscle turnover and fat transportation, among other things. Research shows that lysine can support a healthy immune response. Lysine also plays a role in collagen formation and can promote wound healing. ⁷ ⁸ ⁹

Lysine also assists in the formation of carnitine, a quaternary ammonium compound derived from lysine or methionine amino acids. Carnitine is essential for energy production. Lysine can also aid in the transportation of fats across the body, further supporting healthy energy production for the body. ¹⁰ ¹¹

Studies show that lysine supplementation can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, though further research is needed to fully understand the effects of L-lysine on blood pressure. ¹²

Lysine plays a critical role in calcium absorption and can support bone health. Calcium is a mineral necessary for healthy and strong bones. Research suggests that when used alongside arginine, lysine can support healthy bone cell activity and collagen production. ¹³ ¹⁴

Furthermore, research suggests that lysine can support brain and mental health. The human body relies on amino acids like lysine and arginine to produce neurotransmitters, which allows your cells to communicate with each other. ¹⁵

A study from 2003 also found that lysine can help block receptors involved in the natural stress response, demonstrating that L-lysine has the potential to act as a partial serotonin receptor. Other research points to the ability of lysine to manage healthy levels of the stress hormone cortisol. ¹⁶ ¹⁷ ¹⁸

Sources of L-Lysine

As mentioned, because L-lysine is an amino acid, the human body cannot synthesize it on its own - it needs to be obtained from diet or supplementation. Regardless, this compound is necessary for human health. It's crucial to obtain L-lysine through your daily diet or lysine supplements. The average lysine intake in Western diets is about 40–180 mg for every kg of body weight daily. ¹⁹ ²⁰ ²¹

The following foods are rich in lysine and may be a welcome addition to your daily diet: ‡

• poultry
• red meats
• eggs
• fish, like cod or sardines
• beans
• lentils
• cheese, like Parmesan
• cottage cheese
• wheat germ
• nuts
• soybeans

Because lysine is found primarily in meat and dairy products, those who strictly follow a vegan diet may have difficulties obtaining enough lysine through food alone. Though lysine can be found in protein-rich plant-based sources, lysine supplements can be beneficial for some. ‡

L-lysine supplements are often taken in a capsule or powder form. Clean L-Lysine from Natural Cure Labs boasts a ”clean label” formula and is made without common synthetic excipients. This naturally-derived product is vegan and non-GMO, and contains 600mg of L-lysine per capsule. These easy-to-swallow capsules (not rough tablets!) are formulated, blended, and bottled in the United States and are free from hidden synthetic additives like silica, silicon dioxide, or magnesium stearate. We ensure each batch is third-party tested to ensure a potent and pure product every time.

"CHANGED THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER!" (Clean L-Lysine)

- Stephanie from the United States on April 4, 2023

When used alongside monolaurin, lysine may help support the immune system and digestive health. Our L-Lysine + Monolaurin supplement features a premium 1:1 ratio of 600mg lysine and 600mg monolaurin per serving. This expert blend comes together to create a powerful immune support supplement. ‡

"Recently bought to help boost immune system. I noticed I have been around **** individuals and haven’t caught a **** since taking these supplements. I guess it’s safe to say they do work if your looking for an immune booster." (L-Lysine + Monolaurin)

- Vernice R. from the United States on March 22, 2024

Bonus: How Can Monolaurin Support Skin And Hair Health?

Since 2015, Natural Cure Labs has sold more than 20 million capsules to individuals and families worldwide. As one of the most awarded small supplement brands, we use only naturally derived ingredients free from synthetic colors, additives, and preservatives to ensure a high-quality and trustworthy product. ‡

Final Thoughts

Lysine is an essential amino acid that is necessary for overall health. From aiding in calcium absorption to supporting immune health, this natural compound plays an important role in wellness. ‡

Keep Reading: Monolaurin And L-Lysine: Better Together

--

References

1. The Dana Foundation. (2022). A Research!America survey of U.S. adults conducted in partnership with the Dana Foundation and Zogby Analytics in August 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2024, from https://dana.org/article/survey-finds-brain-health-is-a-top-priority-for-americans/.
2. World Health Organization. Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition. WHO Technical Report Series 935. Retrieved July 17, 2024, from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf?sequence=1.
3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5962, Lysine. Retrieved July 17, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysine.
4. Gorissen, S. H. M., Crombag, J. J. R., Senden, J. M. G., Waterval, W. A. H., Bierau, J., Verdijk, L. B., & van Loon, L. J. C. (2018). Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates. Amino acids, 50(12), 1685–1695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-018-2640-5
5. Messina M. (2016). Soy and Health Update: Evaluation of the Clinical and Epidemiologic Literature. Nutrients, 8(12), 754. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8120754
6. Lopez, M. J., & Mohiuddin, S. S. (2024). Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
7. Mailoo, V. J., & Rampes, S. (2017). Lysine for Herpes Simplex Prophylaxis: A Review of the Evidence. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 16(3), 42–46.
8. Frey, J., & Raby, N. (1991). Lysine et collagène [Lysine and collagen]. Annales de biologie clinique, 49(1), 36–39.
9. Shashikumara, S., Jayaraman, V., Chikkegowda, P., Lingaiah, D. C., & Kalal, B. S. (2023). Efficacy of 15% lysine cream in treating diabetic foot ulcers: a randomized interventional study. International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 15(3), 88–97.
10. Dahash BA, Sankararaman S. Carnitine Deficiency. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559041/
11. National Institutes of Health (2023). Carnitine Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Retrieved July 17, 2024, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/.
12. Vuvor F, Mohammed H, Ndanu T, et al. Effect of lysine supplementation on hypertensive men and women in selected peri-urban community in Ghana. BMC Nutr. 2017;3:67. doi:10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6
13. Lv Z, Shi W, Zhang Q. Role of essential amino acids in age-induced bone loss. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11281. doi:10.3390/ijms231911281
14. Civitelli, R., Villareal, D. T., Agnusdei, D., Nardi, P., Avioli, L. V., & Gennari, C. (1992). Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 8(6), 400–405.
15. Lopez MJ, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, essential amino acids. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
16. Smriga, M., Ando, T., Akutsu, M., Furukawa, Y., Miwa, K., & Morinaga, Y. (2007). Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans. Biomedical research (Tokyo, Japan), 28(2), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.28.85
17. Smriga, M., Ghosh, S., Mouneimne, Y., Pellett, P. L., & Scrimshaw, N. S. (2004). Lysine fortification reduces anxiety and lessens stress in family members in economically weak communities in Northwest Syria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101(22), 8285–8288. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0402550101
18. Smriga, M., & Torii, K. (2003). L-Lysine acts like a partial serotonin receptor 4 antagonist and inhibits serotonin-mediated intestinal pathologies and anxiety in rats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 100(26), 15370–15375. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2436556100
19. Tomé, D., & Bos, C. (2007). Lysine requirement through the human life cycle. The Journal of nutrition, 137(6 Suppl 2), 1642S–1645S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.6.1642S
20. Górska-Warsewicz, H., Laskowski, W., Kulykovets, O., Kudlińska-Chylak, A., Czeczotko, M., & Rejman, K. (2018). Food Products as Sources of Protein and Amino Acids-The Case of Poland. Nutrients, 10(12), 1977. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121977
21. Xiao, C. W., Hendry, A., Kenney, L., & Bertinato, J. (2023). L-Lysine supplementation affects dietary protein quality and growth and serum amino acid concentrations in rats. Scientific reports, 13(1), 19943. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47321-3

‡ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

--

Natural Cure Labs provides dietary supplements made from naturally derived ingredients. Our research-backed products contain premium botanicals and antioxidants that encourage healthy living and holistic wellness. Each high-quality product comes with a Clean Label that certifies our commitment to quality, transparency, and research. To stay connected and learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.