Lysine is one of the essential amino acids. It is a building block of protein that the body cannot synthesize from other materials and, therefore, must be obtained from our diet. Different proteins have different ratios of amino acids including essential and non-essential amino acids.

Lysine, Herpes and Viral Infections

      Lysine supplements and diets high in lysine and low in arginine have been used to discourage herpes outbreaks. Tissue culture studies have demonstrated that lysine inhibits viral replication. Analysis of the herpes simplex virons shows them to be rich in arginine and relatively lower in other essential amino acids including lysine. It appears that increasing the availability of lysine inhibits the utilization of arginine and slows virus replication. Experiments using Lysine supplements have shown that the intensity and frequency of outbreaks is reduced and quicker resolution of lesions is achieved.

      The dosage of lysine required to keep herpes in remission and heal lesions varies from person to person. A typical dose to maintain remission has been found to be approximately 500 mg. daily taken on an empty stomach between meals. The dosage required to induce healing has been found to be between 1 and 6 grams between meals on an empty stomach. Lysine alone may not be sufficient to prevent herpes outbreaks on some individuals. Lysine can be used in combination with other supplements or medication to more effectively manage a herpes infection.

Lysine and Coronary Heart Disease

      Lysine is one component of a protocol proposed by Linus Pauling for the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease. Lipoprotein(a) is an altered form of LDL cholesterol was found to be a key component in blood clots, plaque formation and coronary heart disease. Lipoprotein(a) has a structure nearly identical to plasminogen, a protein that forms plasmin. Normally, Plasmin helps dissolve fibrin, . Unfortunately, lipoprotein(a) inhibits the breakdown of fibrin by competing with plasminogen.

      Pauling and Rath proposed that lipoprotein(a) acted as a surrogate (replacement) for vitamin C and that a deficiency of vitamin C resulted in the increased production of lipoprotein(a) which both hardened the arteries and caused blood clots . Linus Pauling recommended the use of high doses of pure vitamin C and lysine to both prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

Linus Pauling Therapy for the Reversal of Heart Disease

1. Vitamin C: to bowel tolerance - as much as you can take without diarrhea. For most people this will be in the range of five to ten grams (5,000-10,000 mg.) each day. Spread this amount into several equal doses 4 or more hours apart. Vitamin C salts, Linke in BalanCe, are more easily tolerated and less prone to cause diarrhea in high doses. Vitamin C prevents further cracking of the blood vessel wall.


2. L-Proline: 3 grams twice per day. Proline acts to release lipoprotein(a) from plaque formations and prevent further deposition of plaque in the arterial walls.


3. L-Lysine: 3 grams twice each day. Lysine acts to release lipoprotein(a) from plaque formations and prevent further deposition of of plaque in the arterial walls.


4. Co-enzyme Q10: 90-180 mg. twice per day. Co-enzyme Q10 strengthens the heart muscle.


5. L-Carnitine: 3 grams twice per day. L-Carnitine also strengthens the heart muscle and aids in metabolizing fat into energy.


6. Niacin: Decreases production of lipoprotein(a) in the liver. Inositol hexanicotinate is a form of niacin which gives less of a problem with flushing and therefore allows for larger therapeutic doses. Begin with 250 mg. at lunch, 500 mg. at dinner and 500 mg. at bedtime the first day; then increase gradually over a few days until you reach four grams per day, or the highest dose under four grams you can tolerate. Be sure to ask your doctor for liver enzyme level tests every two months or less to be sure your liver is able to handle the dose you are taking.


7. Vitamin E: 800-2400 IU per day. Vitamin E Inhibits proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the walls of arteries undergoing the atherosclerotic changes.

Where to get Lysine and the Linus Paulings Recommended Supplements

L-Lysine, 620 mg 100 capsules Lysine is an essential amino acid necessary for growth and to help maintain nitrogen balance in the body. (Essential amino acids cannot be made in the body and must be supplied by diet or supplements.) It may help promote proper nitrogen balance in the body and prevent glycosylation, the combining of a sugar and protein molecule accelerated by elevated levels of sugar in the blood.137,138 Lysine supplementation increases the absorption of calcium and may reduce its excretion.139 Some researchers believe that the disturbed balance of arginine and lysine may play a role in viral problems.140,141 Lysine works with other essential amino acids to maintain growth, lean body mass and the body’s store of nitrogen. In addition, dietary supplementation with the essential amino acid L-lysine has been shown to reduce anxiety in humans with low dietary intake of L-lysine. L-lysine, together with arginine, has been documented to normalize hormonal stress responses in humans with high trait anxiety.142

Lysine References

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