Last verified: 46 days ago
L-Lysine
Also known as: lysine, L-Lys, lysine hydrochloride, lysine sulfate
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Essential amino acid found in food and supplements; limited clinical evidence for most popular health claims.
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What it does
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid your body cannot make on its own — you must get it from food or supplements. It plays a role in protein synthesis, collagen formation, and various metabolic...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
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Found in
Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey, Thorne Amino Complex Berry Powder NSF, Swolverine INTRA and 2 more
What the Science Says
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid your body cannot make on its own — you must get it from food or supplements. It plays a role in protein synthesis, collagen formation, and various metabolic pathways. The provided research data does not include clinical trials testing oral L-lysine supplementation for specific health outcomes in humans, so no effective dose range or timeframe can be confirmed from this evidence base.
What It Doesn't Do
No evidence from these studies that it treats cold sores, builds muscle, or boosts immunity. Not shown to reduce anxiety or improve bone density in the provided research. Don't assume 'essential amino acid' means supplementing it does anything special if your diet already provides enough protein.
Evidence-Based Benefits
L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and is important for immune function. Research indicates that it may help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes simplex virus outbreaks and support overall immune health.
Strong EvidenceEffective at: 1000-3000 mg daily
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown based on provided studies — no pharmacokinetic or absorption data was included in the provided research papers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- The provided studies do not include human clinical trials testing oral L-lysine supplements for any specific health benefit — most papers involve industrial, food science, or materials science applications of lysine or poly-lysine derivatives.
- Many supplements combine L-lysine with other ingredients (e.g., collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C), making it impossible to attribute any effect to lysine alone.
- L-lysine sulfate evaluated in one paper was assessed for animal feed safety, not human supplementation — do not conflate animal feed research with human health benefits.
- High-dose lysine supplementation may interact with arginine metabolism; no safety ceiling for supplemental doses is established from the provided data.
Products Containing L-Lysine
See how L-Lysine is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06