Whether you want to improve your athletic performance or boost immune function, lysine advice from our IV therapy Toronto clinic might offer support.
As an amino acid, lysine is vital for the human body for making proteins and immune cells, and for constructing hormones and collagen. Though it influences our body processes and cellular functioning, we can only consume it through food or supplementation. When combined with other amino acids and healthy lifestyle changes (i.e., exercise), the amino acid could impact muscle health, cardiovascular health, and more in the human body.
“Adequate lysine is essential for maintaining normal health and supplements may benefit certain people and conditions,” confirms a Healthline article, which goes on to say: “Research of lysine is promising, as some evidence indicates that it may have anti-cancer effects, could help improve blood sugar levels, and may reduce blood pressure.”
The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre discusses lysine’s beneficial effects as a key ingredient, which might contribute to your health goals.
Why consider lysine for optimal health
- Might promote wound healing: Amino acid building blocks help support our skin and bones – and lysine has a part in this! The amino acid encourages new cells to form around a cut or scrape to promote healing.
- Could potentially help reduce anxiety: When combined with arginine, it’s been shown to aid in lessening fretful thoughts in humans with low dietary intake. In a study on Japanese adults, the supplementation reduced anxiety and lowered cortisol levels after it was consumed for seven days.
- Shown to help reduce blood pressure levels: Supplementation could help those suffering from this nutritional deficiency. In a study on adults in Ghana, it was demonstrated that replenishing the amino acid can reduce blood pressure levels. “Lysine could also have control over the abnormal responses to stressors/anxiety which is known to influence heart beats and therefore on hypertension,” confirms a piece from BMC Nutrition.
- Might prevent or protect cold sores: Cold sores are triggered by the viral illness herpes simplex virus (HSV). Research has established that these amino acid supplements might prevent HSV from reproducing; in turn, this could lessen the length of a cold sore, while reinforcing immune function.
- Could help with maintaining muscle health and athletic recovery: Did you know that a lack of lysine is linked to slowing down protein synthesis? This is concerning for any process of recovery, especially after a heavy physical performance! The body requires protein to restore muscle, but lysine can assist with tissue repair.
Should you supplement with lysine?
If you’re interested in this amino acid, please consult your health care provider for advice. You may not be advised to take it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney or liver disease. Additionally, consuming lysine can increase calcium absorption in the body – so lab testing/blood tests may be suggested to see if this supplement fits your health concerns.
Your health care provider may discuss the following treatments if you have this nutritional deficiency: dietary changes, oral supplements or intravenous therapy (IV therapy/IV nutrient therapy). A wide range of foods naturally contain a higher lysine to arginine ratio, so you may be advised to consume these items: cheese, fish, chicken, beans, lamb, beef and/or mung bean sprouts. Oral supplements are convenient too, though some people may experience side effects, such as stomach cramping.
Furthermore, vitamin IV therapy drips may be advised. They’re especially suitable if you have malabsorption or dysphagia, as the nutritional solution does not touch the digestive tract. Instead, it’s directly inserted into the bloodstream for complete absorption. At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, this vitamin drip treatment is available when combined with a medley of amino acids – continue reading to learn about our IV Lounge and clinical care.
Our IV treatments and functional medicine programs
IV therapy is a personalized service we offer in the Toronto area. Our IV Lounge carries therapeutic doses of essential nutrients, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, glutamic acid, glutathione, Myers cocktail, and other beneficial ingredients such as Potassium in your IV therapy. Sessions are supervised by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctor and nurse practitioner, and vitamin IV therapy drips are freshly compounded daily without added preservatives.
Custom health care can significantly add to optimal functioning – so along with intravenous infusion drips, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre embraces integrative medicine. We practice a combination of therapies to cater to acute and chronic health conditions (i.e. chronic fatigue, mental health, joint pain, etc.). Functional medicine treatments consider your biology, lifestyle and environmental surroundings to address your chief health concerns and promote symptom relief. A combination of therapies may be discussed for your treatment plan, such as Western medicine, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, and bio-identical hormone therapy.
Let’s help unravel your potential and upgrade your energy levels, cellular function, and mental clarity! IV therapy from our Toronto lounge is available for new and existing patients – please call (416) 968-6961 to request your initial consultation.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.
References
“4 Impressive Health Benefits of Lysine” from Healthline, by Sharon O’Brien MS, PGDip — medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD, Nutrition — Updated on Nov 15, 2022, viewed on January 24, 2023.
“10 Important Health Benefits of Lysine” by Patience Lister, Alive Magazine, posted October 5, 2022, viewed on January 24, 2023.
Kerry J. Welsh, M. Sue Kirkman, David B. Sacks; Role of Glycated Proteins in the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes: Research Gaps and Future Directions. Diabetes Care 1 August 2016; 39 (8): 1299–1306. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-2727
Li, P., Yin, Y., Li, D., Woo Kim, S., & Wu, G. (2007). Amino acids and immune function. British Journal of Nutrition, 98(2), 237-252. doi:10.1017/S000711450769936X
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2023). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5962, Lysine. Retrieved January 24, 2023 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysine.
Pedrazini, MC, da Silva, MH, Groppo, FC. L-lysine: Its antagonism with L-arginine in controlling viral infection. Narrative literature review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022; 88( 11): 4708- 4723. doi:10.1111/bcp.15444
Singh, Meenu & Rao, Dowlathabad & Pande, Shivansh & Battu, Sowjanya & Rajeswar Dutt, Kunduri & Ramesh, Mantri. (2011). Medicinal Uses of L-Lysine: Past and Future. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Smriga M, Ghosh S, Mouneimne Y, Pellett PL, Scrimshaw NS. Lysine fortification reduces anxiety and lessens stress in family members in economically weak communities in Northwest Syria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Jun 1;101(22):8285-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0402550101. Epub 2004 May 24. PMID: 15159538; PMCID: PMC420386.
Smriga M, Ando T, Akutsu M, Furukawa Y, Miwa K, Morinaga Y. Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans. Biomed Res. 2007 Apr;28(2):85-90. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.28.85. PMID: 17510493.
Vuvor, F., Mohammed, H., Ndanu, T. et al. Effect of lysine supplementation on hypertensive men and women in selected peri-urban community in Ghana. BMC Nutr 3, 67 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-017-0187-6
