Since our body cannot synthesize lysine on its own, it has to obtain this essential amino acid from outside sources such as food and supplements.

Lysine, in addition to being a building block for proteins and enzymes, also has the following health benefits:

• Prevent and treat cold sores (herpes)
  Scientists discovered that the herpes virus, which causes cold sores, requires arginine to replicate and grow. It turns out that lysine competes with arginine for absorption and entry into the tissue cells - in fact, when lysine is present, herpes virus growth is inhibited.
  
  Indeed, taking lysine supplements can help reduce the severity of cold sores. A 6-month clinical trial involving 50 people with cold sores suggested that lysine supplement helps prevent the outbreak of cold sores. Herpes sores that still develop tend to be milder and heal faster.
  
  
• Prevent and treat canker sores
  Canker sores are small, painful mouth ulcers. Taking a lysine supplement (1000 mg 3x daily) while a canker sore is present may help speed up the healing process.
  
  
• Prevent and treat shingles
  Shingles are painful blisters caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a virus that is closely related to the herpes virus. It turns out that taking a lysine supplement can also speed healing of this outbreak.
  
  
• Promote better concentration
  Lysine can also help you focus and improve your concentration. In fact, if you often lose your concentration and feel tired, you may have a lysine deficiency.
  
  

Select Scientific References

• Mindell E. Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century. 1985 Warner Books.
• Murray M. The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines. 2002 Bantam Books.