L-lysine is an essential amino acids which means that it cannot be produced by our own bodies but it is essential to our overall health. L-lysine must be consumed through foods such as red meat, pork, poultry, cheese, cod, sardines, nuts, eggs, tofu, soybeans, and fenugreek seed. However, with the fact that we are not as healthy as we used to be, there are a lot of people who do not produce enough L-lysine. We need L-lysine in our body for proper growth, the production of carnitine which is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy, and for lowering cholesterol. It helps the body absorb calcium as well which is essential for strong bones and the formation of collagen. Without enough lysine in the body you can have health related issues such as kidney stones, nausea, dizziness, agitation, slow growth, anemia as well as reproductive disorders. Although it is rare to have a true lysine deficiency, lysine can add benefits to our body that require us to have a certain amount.

In the case of herpes and shingles, L-lysine can be used to treat the herpes virus as well as the shingles caused by the herpes virus. It can speed the recovery time and reduce the risk of recurrent breakouts. An L-lysine supplement is essential in this case as the body does not make enough to give this benefit unless you eat many of the foods that provide it. It can also benefit people with osteoporosis because it helps to improve the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract and can actually prevent the loss of calcium in your urine. This can stop bone loss due to osteoporosis. An L-lysine supplement is also beneficial for people who have inflammation in their joints and muscles as well as migraine headaches, and painful menstruation because L-lysine has the ability to alleviate pain. If your diet does not produce enough L-lysine then by taking a supplement you can help it do its job and you can bring other benefits to your overall health.