L-lysine is an amino acid that your body cannot produce on its own but that is vital to human health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, L-lysine helps protect against several health and beauty problems and aids in the healing of others. Some of these problems include shingles, herpes, osteoporosis, kidney stones and lack of hair growth.

According to the Huntington College of Health Sciences, L-lysine inhibits the enzyme that causes alopecia. Alopecia is a condition that causes baldness; it can be hereditary or caused by hormonal imbalance.

If you are experiencing hair loss, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 500 to 1000 mg of L-lysine per day.

You can help hair growth by taking L-lysine supplements or by consuming foods that contain L-lysine. Red meat, pork, poultry, vegetables, Parmesan cheese, cod, sardines, nuts, eggs and soybeans are all high in L-lysine.

The amino acid arginine, taken by bodybuilders and those who want to prevent atherosclerosis, shares a common pathway with L-lysine. If you are taking arginine, your dosage of L-lysine may need to be higher.

If you are planning on beginning an L-lysine regimen for hair growth, check with your doctor first. Your hair loss may be a result of an underlying disease, which will need to be treated.