L-Lysine (Jarrow) Each bottle, 120 capsules. Each tablet, 500 mg of L-lysine, from L-lysine hydrochloride. Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that you have to consume it in the diet as the body does not synthesize it. May help to suppress outbreaks of herpes. Also contains magnesium stearate and rice powder. Suggested use is to take one tablet, 1-3 times a day, preferably on an empty stomach.

Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning your body doesn’t synthesize it. You get it from diet mostly, including from milk and dairy products, potatoes and brewer’s yeast. While a couple of smaller studies have shown little benefit, their methodology has been criticized (too few people, too short, too little lysine). One large study at the Mayo Clinic using 1,248 mg daily (double-blind, placebo-controlled) showed a consistent effect in reducing the recurrence rate of herpes outbreaks, compared to placebo or a lower dose. However,it did not affect the duration or severity of an active outbreak. In another area, one small study showed a benefit in aiding growth hormone secretion when 1,200 mg was used with 1,200 mg of arginine. See the Arginine entry above.

Lysine may be up to 50% deficient among people with HIV. A few studies have reported lessening of herpes virus infection symptomatology with lysine doses in excess of 2 grams per day. High arginine levels can feed the growth of these viruses while the systemic lysine deficiency can only aggravate this tendency. (Note, though, that Tyson’s group appeared to find BOTH arginine and lysine levels to be low in people with AIDS.) In addition, lysine is a building block for carnitine, and may help to re-supply this important amino acid.