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RHODE ISLAND

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Lysine

The nutritional requirement per day, in milligrams of lysine per kilogram 

of body weight, is: infants (3–4 months) 103, children (2 years) 64, older 

children (10–12 years) 60 to 44, adults 12.[9] For a 70 kg adult, 12 

milligrams of lysine per kilogram of body weight is 0.84 grams of lysine.

Lysine is the limiting amino acid (the essential amino acid found in the 

smallest quantity in the particular foodstuff) in most cereal grains, but 

is plentiful in most pulses (legumes).[10] Consequently, meals that combine 

cereal grains and legumes, such as the Indian dal with rice, Middle Eastern 

hummus, ful medames, falafel with pita bread, the Mexican beans with rice 

or tortilla have arisen to provide complete protein in diets that are, by 

choice or by necessity, vegetarian. A food is considered to have sufficient 

lysine if it has at least 51 mg of lysine per gram of protein (so that the 

protein is 5.1% lysine). Good sources of lysine are foods rich in protein 

such as soy, as well as meat (specifically red meat, lamb, pork, and 

poultry), cheese (particularly Parmesan), certain fish (such as cod and 

sardines), and eggs.

It has been suggested that lysine may be beneficial for those with herpes 

simplex infections.[31] However, more research is needed to fully 

substantiate this claim. For more information, refer to Herpes simplex - 

Lysine.

Lysine has a known anxiolytic action through its effects on serotonin 

receptors in the intestinal tract. One study on rats[32] showed that 

overstimulation of the 5-HT4 receptors in the gut are associated with 

anxiety-induced intestinal pathology. Lysine, acting as a serotonin 

antagonist and therefore reducing the overactivity of these receptors, 

reduced signs of anxiety and anxiety-induced diarrhea in the sample 

population. Another study showed that lysine deficiency leads to a 

pathological increase in serotonin in the amygdala, a brain structure that 

is involved in emotional regulation and the stress response.[33]

Human studies have also shown negative correlations between reduced lysine 

intake and anxiety. A population-based study in Syria included 93 families 

whose diet is primarily grain-based and therefore likely to be deficient in 

lysine. Fortification of grains with lysine was shown to reduce markers of 

anxiety, including cortisol levels, and also led to potentiation of 

benzodiazepine receptors (common targets of anxiolytic drugs such 

as Xanax and Ativan).