Understanding Lysine and Herpes

Lysine is as an essential amino acid - a building block of protein. The human body does not synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Studies suggest that lysine may be an effective treatment for patients with herpes simplex infections. Lysine has become an overnight sensation. However, its efficacy has not been conclusively proven in clinical studies. Moreover, potential side effects have yet to be scientifically confirmed.

Herpes simplex is a viral infection induced by both Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 & HSV-2). This disorder is identified by infection site. For example:

  • Oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters) - affects the face and mouth, the most prevalent infection among herpes patients.
  • Genital herpes (known colloquially as simply herpes) - affects the pubic area and represents the second most common herpes variation.

Significance of Lysine

While there are other strains of the herpes virus, we will focus on these two viruses. Dr. Alan R. Gaby first proposed lysine's effectiveness for the treatment of herpes. In his 2006 book, Natural Pharmacy, he explained that lysine opposed the effects of arginine. Arginine enables the herpes simplex virus to infest and prosper. It is therefore helpful to reduce the frequency of recurrences. However, he noted that the use of lysine-containing supplements at the onset of an outbreak might not be "as effective." Further research must be conducted to assess the effectiveness of lysine for herpes treatment.

Safety Issues

Gaby proclaimed that a daily dosage of 6 g appears to be harmless for healthy adults. As a precautionary measure, male patients with heart, liver, kidney, or gallbladder ailments and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctors before taking lysine supplements. Lysine is not meant as a replacement for conventional herpes treatment. Patients should seek medical guidance at the first sign of a herpes outbreak.

Lysine Side Effects

Lysine's role in herpes treatment was only recently elucidated, so its side effects are just starting to surface. Allegedly, a continuous high dosage may accelerate the formation of gallstones. People who develop a lysine dependency run the risk of both heightened cholesterol and triglyceride levels over time. As such, patients suffering from cardiovascular problems should seek the advice of theirs doctor before taking lysine supplements. There have also been reported cases of cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain with daily dosages exceeding 40 grams.

Ultimately, lysine performs a critical role in many crucial life processes, and herpes treatment is very likely one of them. Yet moderation is key when determining proper dosage. Excessively high amounts of lysine may potentially cause complications that range from gallstone formation to a drastic drop in arginine levels.

Discussions(10) Add New

  1. Parvani September 03, 2011 08:01 AM Reply

    I have been having ‘l lysine herpes’ over the years. I have received some astonishing outcomes. It is inexpensive and simple to have. Most of the supplements appear in one thousand mg options that are required for the prevention measures. The interaction with the other supplements or drugs is absent. You can append it in your diet. Thanks!

  2. Gunnar September 18, 2011 09:21 AM Reply

    I started taking one thousand mg of ‘L-lysine supplement’ some days back. I began to feel that I became queasy at the different times during the time. Do you consider l-lysine for herpes? I am taking many medicines for my disease of Parkinson. Are you conscious about the drug interactions of L-lysine? Recently, I started dealing with vomiting, sweat with nausea, stomach cramps, headache and dizziness in a cold. I am pleased to read the content of this article.

  3. Ubul November 03, 2011 02:20 PM Reply

    The utilities of l-lysine are to be reckoned. Most individuals get adequate lysine in the diet. However, the athletes and vegans do not eat beans. The burn patients require the sufficient lysine supplements. Without adequate lysine it causes nausea, dizziness, fatigue, lacking appetite, bloodshot, agitation, eyes, slower growth, anemia and the reproductive disorders. The vegans can have peas, beans, and lentils and these can be the most excellent sources of lysine.

  4. Emily February 08, 2012 10:02 PM Reply

    Do you have the other side-effects including the hair loss? Did you have the outbreaks with the suppressive therapy? Do you have the lysine side effects? I don't sense well since I began to have the medicines and I thought it would be better after a couple of months. There was an appalling taste in the mouth. Please provide the findings to me.

  5. Orlando March 16, 2012 12:37 AM Reply

    While talking about herpes and l-lysine we should know what is l-lysine? L-lysine or Lysine is a necessary amino acid. It means it is essential for the human body; however, the body cannot produce it. You need to accumulate it from the supplements and foods. The amino acids including lysine are the cornerstone of protein and it can make grow healthy. It leads the creation of carnitine; it is a nutrient that is dependable for transforming the fatty acids into the energy. The cholesterol becomes lower. It makes the body absorb the calcium. It plays a significant role to formulate the collagen. Hoping, the content of this article provides you some useful tips.

  6. Udit April 19, 2012 01:25 AM Reply

    Regarding the side effects of lysine, the doctors may not be interested in providing provide the alternatives of drugs. However, I do not understand the feelings of the doctors as the drugs do have the adequate side-effects. You can try to experiment with some others. I have been dealing with l-lysine for the last twenty years as I sometimes stop consuming and I start having again. But I am fine. I depart the l-lysine apart from the herpes. You can have more information on herpes if you go through the articles on Wikipedia. Thanks!

  7. Sarosh April 19, 2012 02:44 PM Reply

    I am not certain about the statements of the experts. If you go for searching lysine for herpes online, there are many references about the duration and severity of herpes one and two outbreaks being available. It is declined based on one thousand mg of ‘l-lysine 3x’ per day. The side-effects can take place when there is the dose of 30 mg more in a day. It is ten times of therapeutic. I have faced the kind of herpes and it appears on the backside or buttocks and l-lysine makes me ease a lot. There was no outbreak during the time of having it. I assume I’m cured. I stop but there is another outbreak. It is better to ask your doctor regarding the degree of poisoning of l-lysine and its doses. It can help you stop taking Zovira. Thanks a lot! I feel well as this article contains some good subject matters.

  8. Solosolo July 12, 2012 12:03 AM Reply

    I have an interest in dealing with nutritional therapy. While talking about the side effects of l-lysine, there are many threats about the dependence on the various herbs and vitamins. The amino acid therapy likes to be complicated more. Braverman has created a nice job in his book. He narrated the working efficiencies of the nutrients. There are some chapters that deal with Lysine and Herpes devotedly. Hence, you can find some useful helps. Thanks! The content of this article sounds interesting.

  9. Meris July 12, 2012 12:31 AM Reply

    Hi! Vicki,
    I am really unhappy to know your problem. Regarding lysine herpes, you can read a book on the amino acid therapy. This book is named as ‘Healing Nutrients Within’ (Braverman). The last edition was issued just three years back that is why in this book the updated information is available. The genuine MD has written this book. I feel secure in this instance.

  10. Tarun July 25, 2012 03:54 AM Reply

    I possess the herpes. I like to know about the lysine and herpes. The breakout is at top of buttocks. I was having Zovira regularly for the last ten years. It is 400 mg. The breakouts are very few in number and there was no one during the few years. I prefer stop taking as I have read this article and I gathered the information about the side-effects of it. These can be the effects of kidney, liver and possibly the hair loss. I have gained the knowledge about the utilization of ‘L-Lysine’ in the normal healing process to restrain the herpes. I am in doubt whether it creates any severe side-effects or flushes the body while taking regularly. I am passing my 53 years. I am looking for some suitable findings.