Health Benefits of Essential Amino Acid Lysine

Learn how — and why — to boost your dietary lysine intake.

Lysine is one of nine essential amino acids, meaning that your body cannot make it on its own and that you must obtain it from your diet. Lysine plays a key role in growth and muscle cell turnover and helps mobilize fat cells from storage in your body to be burned for energy. 

Research also shows that getting adequate lysine can protect against cold sores and reduce their duration, and it also can improve calcium absorption to help strengthen bones. Boost your dietary lysine intake by eating plenty of meat, seafood, fish and dairy, as well as potatoes, avocados, beans and nuts.