It is not synthesized in the animal. It is necessary for development. In microorganisms and in plants, the lysine is synthesized. Lysine is ketogenic amino acid. The ultimate product of lysine catabolism is acetoacetic acid. This nutrient was primary isolated in 1889 from casein.
Lysine is a necessary amino acid in the creation of carnitine, which helps to change fatty acids into power and also helps to keep up the blood cholesterol in the human beings. It is also a significant amino acid for development. Lysine appears to help the body absorb and conserve calcium and it plays a vital role in the creation of collagen, a substance significant for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendon, and cartilage.
Sources of lysine:
Excellent sources of lysine are foods rich in protein including red meat, cheese, certain fish, nuts, eggs, soybeans and spirulina and fenugreek seed.
For vegetarians, legumes are the most excellent sources of lysine.
Benefits of lysine:
It is necessary for development and bone growth in children, as it helps in the absorption of calcium and also maintains the accurate nitrogen balance in the body and to prevent obesity.
Furthermore it is required to create antibodies, hormones, enzymes, collagen formation as well as repair of tissue.
It is also vital for the patients recovering from injuries and recovery later than operations as it helps in the building of muscle proteins.
Lysine also helps to keep up the healthy blood vessels.
It also seems to help in fighting herpes and cold sores.
Lysine is a necessary amino acid in the production of carnitine, which helps to change fatty acids into energy and also helps to keep up the blood cholesterol.
L-lysine can be used to treat mouth and genital lesions caused by herpes simplex virus as well as shingles caused by herpes zoster viruses.
Certain forms of lysine bound to anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve the pain following an episiotomy. These forms of lysine may also relieve migraine headaches and painful periods.
Deficiency symptoms of lysine
Deficiency of lysine in the diet can lead to the creation of kidney stones and other health related troubles may develop including fatigue, slow growth, anemia, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes and reproductive disorders.
As it helps in the absorption of calcium so deficiency of lysine can guide to defective bone growth.
Usually, only vegetarians who follow a macrobiotic diet and certain athletes involved in recurrent vigorous exercise are at threat for lysine deficiency
Symptoms of high intake
High intake of lysine may lead to the creation of gallstones and an elevation of cholesterol. But it is not proved in the human beings as yet.
Diarrhea and stomach cramps may be indicative in high dosage, but these are not reliable symptoms.
Who needed more?
Athletes, burn patients and people suffering from herpes and cold sores may require more lysine.
Older people could also need more lysine, as one study found older men necessary more of this nutrient than younger men.
Daily requirements
The every day requirement of lysine for different age groups is given below:
Birth to 4 months: 103 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
Children 5 months to 2 years: 69 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
Children 3 to 12 years: 44 mg per kilogram of body weight per day
