Lysine

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Lysine is one of the most important amino acids due to the fact that it belongs to the group of essential amino acids. Lysine is not formed in the body, but is very important for the body and should be taken in sufficient quantities through food.

Functions of lysine

Lysine is involved in the construction of all types of proteins. This essential amino acid is needed for normal growth and bone strengthening in young children. Supports calcium absorption and maintains nitrogen balance in adult children.

Lysine promotes the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies, as well as promotes the formation of collagen and tissue repair. Because it helps build muscle protein, lysine is used in sports injuries and surgical wounds. It also lowers serum triglycerides.

Another extremely important property of lysine is its ability to counteract herpes viruses. This extremely useful amino acid cannot cure and destroy herpes because its mode of action is different. Lysine has the interesting property of stopping the metabolism of arginine - another amino acid that is needed for the reproduction of the herpes virus.

In addition to maintaining important physiological functions of the body, lysine is used with great success in therapeutic medicine due to its important functions in terms of the immune system and overcoming viral infections. Supplementation with the important amino acid has been most successful in the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex.

Lysine deficiency

Here it is very important to note that in the composition of food there is both lysineand arginine, because it is not possible for only one amino acid to exist. However, the ratio is important - lysine should be more.

Unfortunately, the foods that most people ingest daily contain more arginine than lysine. These are cereals, pasta. Thus, the supply of lysine is limited and lysine deficiency may be experienced accordingly.

Most often with age there is a shortage of lysinewhich in turn can reduce protein synthesis and slow down the formation of connective and muscle tissue. Since the body cannot form lysine on its own, it is mandatory to ensure its intake in food in the form of supplements.

The lack of lysine adversely affects protein synthesis. This leads to weakness, easy fatigue, lack of appetite, lack of concentration, irritability, weight loss.

Sources of lysine

Lysine requirements are calculated at 3-5 g per day. At most lysine contained in margarine, so we should not completely limit ourselves to this otherwise so controversial product. Cheese, lactic acid products, cream, butter and ice cream from milk and cream are also rich in lysine.

Exotic fruits such as papaya, mango and avocado are good sources of lysine. Other similar fruits are apricots, apples, pears, figs. Beets and red tomatoes, different types of fish also supply lysine to the body.

From the meat you should choose the type that includes less fat and more muscle fibers - fillets, shoulders, thighs. Chicken and turkey, beef and beef, ham and liver are preferred.

You need to know the products in which the ratio of arginine and lysine is in favor of the second amino acid having an antiherpes effect.

To reduce the recurrence of the herpes virus, products that are high in arginine and further help the virus to reproduce should be reduced. These are the different types of nuts, caffeine, chocolate, gelatin, onions, garlic.

We should not deprive ourselves of these products at all, but it is good to take them with other products that balance the amount of arginine with lysine. Excellent examples of such combinations are coffee with milk, nuts with yogurt.