Lysine - Nature Cures®

Amino acids like lysine and arginine are the building blocks of protein and help the body to form collagen to grow bones, cartilage, skin and tendons. Lysine also plays an important role in preventing bone loss in people with osteoporosis. It helps the body absorb calcium and decreases the amount of calcium that is lost in urine.

Lysine also helps to produce carnitine, which converts fatty acids into energy and lowers cholesterol.

Lysine can prevent recurring outbreaks of cold sores from the herpes simplex virus and the herpes zoster virus that causes shingles. This is because it displaces arginine which these viruses need to replicate.

Foods rich in lysine and low in arginine

Apricots
Beef
Cauliflower
Cheese (cheddar, gouda and cottage)
Chicken
Cod
Mango
Salmon

Symptoms of lysine deficiency

Bone density loss
Cold sores (recurring)
Hair loss
Herpes flare ups
Nail disorders
Shingles attacks
Skin disorders

Highest sources of lysine in milligrams per 100 grams

Spirulina (dried) 3025 mg
Chlorella (dried) 3000 mg
Whelks 2930 mg
Chicken 2635 mg
Pumpkin and squash seeds 2463 mg
Tuna (tinned) 2343 mg
Pheasant 2230 mg
Beef (lean mince) 2211 mg
Calf’s liver 2141 mg
Mackerel (tinned) 2130 mg
Cod 2108 mg
Cheddar cheese 2072 mg
Quail 1977 mg
Rabbit (wild) 1908 mg
Shrimp/prawns 1820 mg
Lobster 1784 mg
Venison 1756 mg
Caviar (fish roe) 1699 mg
Lamb’s liver 1653 mg
Turkey 1609 mg
Crab 1592 mg
Black beans 1483 mg
Crayfish (wild)1388 mg
Crayfish (farmed) 1253 mg
Mussels 1179 mg
Squid 1164 mg
Soya beans 1108 mg
Peanuts 945 mg
Sunflower seeds 937 mg
Eggs 914 mg
Flaxseeds 862 mg
Quinoa 766 mg
Rye 605 mg
Almonds 580 mg
Pine nuts 540 mg
Brazil nuts 492 mg
Walnuts 424 mg
Wheat 378 mg
Brown rice 303 mg
Apricots (dried) 150 mg

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