Lysine - Essential Amino Acid Supplement

Lysine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in supporting immune function and promoting tissue repair. It is commonly used as a supplement to manage herpes outbreaks and support overall health.
Category
Supplement
Where to get
Available as a dietary supplement in health food stores and online.
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Lysine FAQ


Image credit: walmart.com

What is lysine used for?

Lysine is a building block for making proteins in the body. It might also prevent the herpes virus from growing. People use lysine for cold sores, canker sores, athletic performance, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Uses & Effectiveness ? Cold sores (herpes labialis).

Is lysine a protein?

Specifically, lysine is an essential amino acid. That means that your body can’t make lysine on its own, and instead it must be obtained through your diet. Lysine can be found in protein-rich plant and animal-based foods like eggs, lentils, meat, dairy products, and fish. Lysine can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

Where did lysine come from?

Lysine was first isolated by the German biological chemist Ferdinand Heinrich Edmund Drechsel in 1889 from hydrolysis of the protein casein, and thus named it Lysin, from λύσις lysis "loosening". In 1902, the German chemists Emil Fischer and Fritz Weigert determined lysine's chemical structure by synthesizing it.

What is the structure of lysine?

Lysine is a basic amino acid that is positively charged at physiological pH. Its chemical structure consists of a side chain that contains an amino group and a carboxylic acid group. This unique structure allows lysine to participate in various biochemical reactions within the body. One of the primary functions of lysine is protein synthesis.

Is lysine an amino acid?

Lysine is an amino acid. Amino acids are molecules that act as the building blocks of proteins. Specifically, lysine is an essential amino acid. That means that your body can’t make lysine on its own, and instead it must be obtained through your diet.

What is the standard state of lysine?

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Lysine (symbol Lys or K) is an α-amino acid that is a precursor to many proteins.

Lysine References

If you want to know more about Lysine, consider exploring links below:

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