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.
Function
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.
Dosage
If you are experiencing hair loss, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 500 to 1000 mg of L-lysine per day.
Sources
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.
Interactions
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.
Warning
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.
References
Writer Bio
Kim Kirsch has been writing since 2003. She has worked as a writer and editor for two newspapers covering cultural events, women's issues, religion, sports/fitness, movies, music and politics. For clients' online publications she covers human rights, casinos and more. Kirsch raised an Olympic hopeful and was the American press representative for the Inline Speed Skating World Championships in China, Korea, Colombia and Spain.
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