Indications

• L Lysine SAP can be used as a preventative treatment for patients with recurrent herpes simplex infections;
• L Lysine SAP can be used to treat herpes simplex infections to reduce the duration of the outbreak;
• L Lysine SAP may aid in the prevention of bone loss, as it increases calcium absorption and reduces calcium excretion.

Ingredients

Each capsule contains:
(2S)-2,6-Diaminohexanoic Acid (L Lysine) ... 500 mg

Contains no: Preservatives, artificial flavour or colour, yeast, wheat, gluten, salt, dairy,egg, sugar or starch.

Description

Lysine is classified as being an essential amino acid for human health. This means that lysine has to be consumed in adequate amount in the diet and cannot be synthesized from other amino acids in the body. Lysine is found in highest concentrations in animal protein sources such as meat and dairy.(1) Lower amounts are found in proteins from grain products such as corn and wheat.(1) Lysine is required by the body for many functions, including the synthesis of various connective tissues such as skin, collagen, elastin and bone. Lysine is also required for the synthesis of carnitine, a non essential amino acid that assists in the conversion of fatty acids to energy. This is an important function for the health of the immune system and especially important for antiviral activity. This is one of the reasons that lysine has benefit in treating the herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections also known as cold sores.(1) Lysine has also been shown to help absorb calcium and decreases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine.(2) PURITY, CLEANLINESS AND STABILITY Third-party testing is performed on finished product to ensure L Lysine SAP is free of heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organics and other impurities. Lysine is an essential amino acid for humans. It must be obtained via food sources like dairy products, meats and beans. Lysine is involved in several important functions in the body, including the synthesis of various connective tissues such as bone, skin, collagen and elastin. Lysine is often deficient in athletes and patients eating a vegan-based diet low in legumes.(3) Deficiency may manifest as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, agitation, slow growth and reproductive disorders.(3) L-LYSINE BIOCHEMISTRY After ingestion, lysine is absorbed via active transportation from the small intestine and travels to the liver via portal circulation.(1) In the liver, lysine combines with other amino acids to enable protein synthesis. Catabolism of lysine also occurs in the liver, where it eventually becomes acetoacetyl CoA. Lysine is both glycogenic and ketogenic, and therefore can lead to the formation of glycogen, D glucose, as well as lipids.(1) Human absorption studies have found that lysine supplements absorb at a similar rate to lysine in dietary sources, therefore suggesting that supplementation is an effective means of increasing lysine in the body.(1) L-LYSINE AND HERPES SIMPLEX Several clinical trials have explored the efficacy of lysine in the treatment and prevention of recurrent HSV infections. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a treatment group was given 1,000 mg of l lysine 3 times a day for a period of 6 months; the control group was given a placebo.(4) The subjects who were taking l lysine had an average of 2.4× less HSV infections, and the infections that did occur had a statistically significant reduction in severity and healing time.(4) A 6 month survey study involving 1543 subjects was conducted to test the effect of lysine supplementation on herpes infections. Subjects took an average dose of 936 mg of lysine/day, and 84% reported that lysine supplementation prevented recurrence or decreased the frequency of herpes infections.(5) 79% of subjects reported that their symptoms had been intolerable without lysine, compared to only 8% of subjects taking lysine.(5) Healing time was reported as taking less than 5 days in 83% of subjects taking lysine, whereas 90% of subjects not using lysine reported a healing time of 6–15 days. The overall findings of this study reported that 88% of participants considered lysine supplementation an effective treatment for herpes infections.(5) There have also been studies exploring the use of l lysine for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis. In a study that looked at the efficacy of long-term prophylactic lysine supplementation in women, subjects with a history of recurring herpetic lesions took 1,000 mg of lysine daily or placebo for 12 months with a crossover after 6 months.(6) The serum levels of lysine were measured, and in women who were found to have a concentration higher than 165 nmol/ml, there was a corresponding significant decrease in recurrence rate. As concentration levels fell below 165 nmol/ml, the frequency of infections increased.(6) This demonstrates that if serum levels of lysine can be maintained with prophylactics, this may result in a reduction in reoccurrence of herpetic lesions. L-LYSINE AND BONE LOSS It has been well documented that calcium deficiency contributes to bone loss over time. Studies in both humans and animals have demonstrated that the dietary supplement l lysine can increase Ca absorption.(2) In a study performed in women with osteoporosis compared to a healthy control group, an oral load of 3 g of calcium was given with or without 400 mg of l lysine.(2) In all women, there was a progressive increase in serum calcium followed by a progressive increase in urinary calcium excretion, except in the l lysine treated healthy subjects who demonstrated a blunted calciuric response.(2) Researchers then tested the effect of supplemental l lysine, l valine or l tryptophan (800 mg/day) on calcium absorption in 45 osteoporotic patients. l Lysine, but not l valine or l tryptophan, significantly increased the intestinal absorption of calcium. The results of these studies suggest that l lysine can enhance absorption and improve the renal conservation of calcium, which indicates its potential usefulness as a preventative and therapeutic treatment for osteoporosis.(2)

Quantity

90 capsules per bottle

Dose

For prevention of herpetic outbreaks or for bone health, take 1 capsule twice per day
with food.
For active herpetic infections, take 2 capsules three times a day with meal until lesions
are healed.

Potential side effects/Safety

Lysine in the diet is considered safe. Patients with kidney or liver function concern
should speak with their health care practitioner before taking lysine. Do not use if
pregnant or breast-feeding.
Research conducted using supplements of l lysine in
humans have reported no adverse side effects when using
this supplement.(7) A study performed on rats looking
at the toxicity profile of l lysine found there was no
functional, biochemical or histological changes in renal
function.(8) The study concluded that the no-observedadverse-
effect level (NOAEL) for l lysine is estimated at 5.0%
for both genders (male, 3.36 ?0.12 g/kg/day; female, 3.99
?0.28 g/kg/day).(8) Arginine and lysine are amino acids that
use a common pathway in the body, so a high concentration
of arginine may theoretically lower levels of lysine in the
body.(3)

References

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1. No Author listed. “l-Lysine”. Alternative Medicine Review Volume 12, Number 2 2007 Pg 169-72.
2. Civitelli R, Villareal DT, Agnusdei D, Nardi P, Avioli LV, Gennari C. “Dietary l-lysine and calcium
metabolism in humans”. Nutrition. 1992;8(6):400-405.
3. Flodin NW. “The metabolic roles, pharmacology, and toxicology of lysine”. J Am Coll Nutr. 1997
Feb;16(1):7-21. (biochemistry section)
4. Griffith RS, Walsh DE, Myrmel KH, Thompson RW, Behforooz A. “Success of l-lysine therapy
in frequently recurrent Herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis”. Dermatologica.
1987;175(4):183-90.
5. Walsh DE, Griffith RS, Behforooz A. “Subjective response to lysine in the therapy of Herpes
simplex”. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1983 Nov;12(5):489-96.
6. Thein DJ, Hurt WC. “Lysine as a prophylactic agent in the treatment of recurrent Herpes simplex
labialis”. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1984 Dec;58(6):659-66.
7. Singh B, Udani J, Prasad S, Vinjamury, Der-Martirosian C, Gandhi S, Khorsan R, Nanjegowda D,
and Singh V. “Safety and Effectiveness of an L-Lysine, Zinc, and Herbal-Based Product on the
Treatment of Facial and Circumoral Herpes”. Altern Med Rev 2005;10(2):123-127
8. Tsubuku S, Mochizuki M, Mawatari K, Smriga M, Kimura T. “Thirteen-week oral toxicity study of
l-lysine hydrochloride in rats”. Int J Toxicol. 2004 Mar-Apr;23(2):113-8.