What Is Lauroyl Lysine?
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning your body can not synthesize this amino acid and, therefore, you must obtain lysine through dietary sources. Lysine not only aids your body in the production of enzymes, antibodies, and hormones, but it also helps your body build muscle tissue. Lauroyl lysine is a derivative of lysine, commonly used in skin and hair-care products.
Facts
Lauroyl lysine is an amino acid derivative made from the natural coconut fatty acid, coconut oil. However, the INCI only lists the purported functions of ingredients used in cosmetic products; it does not provide actual medical information about the effectiveness or results of a specific ingredient, including lauroyl lysine.
Functions
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Manufacturers use lauroyl lysine as a hair and skin-conditioning agent. As a conditioning agent, lauroyl lysine helps to soften your skin and hair. Additionally, lauroyl lysine contributes to hair- and skin-care products’ textures by helping to gel solvents. Further cosmetic uses for this derivative include use in eye shadows and powder-based products.
- Manufacturers use lauroyl lysine as a hair and skin-conditioning agent.
Herpes
According to “Amino Acids in Human Nutrition and Health,” lauroly lysine can help prevent recurrences of cold sores and herpes outbreaks and reduce the duration of outbreaks 3. To treat cold sores and herpes, you should use high doses of lauroyl lysine topically. The recommended dose is 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg. Additionally, the amino acid arginine can interfere with the effectiveness of lysine in treating the herpes virus. Therefore, you should reduce your arginine intake if you use lauroyl lysine to treat herpes. You will find high quantities of arginine in many health supplements and also foods including soy, shellfish, spinach, seaweed and turkey. You should also speak to a medical professional prior to taking any health supplement to treat a specific medical condition, including herpes.
- According to “Amino Acids in Human Nutrition and Health,” lauroly lysine can help prevent recurrences of cold sores and herpes outbreaks and reduce the duration of outbreaks 3.
- To treat cold sores and herpes, you should use high doses of lauroyl lysine topically.
Lysine Deficiencies and Side Effects
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Food rich in lysine include fish, cereal grains and legumes. Regarding the lysine derivative lauroyl lysine, there are not any known side effects associated with its use.
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References
- "Amino Revolution"; Robert Erdmann; 1989
- "User's Guide to Protein and Amino Acids (Basic Health Publications User's Guide)"; Keri Marshall; 2005
- "Amino Acids in Human Nutrition and Health"; J. P. F. D'Mello; 2011
- "Carlson Wade's Amino Acids Book: What You Need to Know (A Pivot original health book)"; Carlson Wade; 1985
- Singh M., Rao D.M., Pande S., Battu S., Mahalakshmi K., Dutt K.R., Ramesh M. Medicinal uses of l-lysine: past and future. Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2011;2:637–642
- Mailoo VJ, Rampes S. Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017;16(3):42-46.
- DiGiovanna JJ, Blank H. Failure of lysine in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Arch Dermatol. 1984 Jan;120(1):48-51.
- Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP. Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015; 8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2
- Singh BB, Udani J, Vinjamury SP, et al. Safety and effectiveness of an L-lysine, zinc, and herbal-based product on the treatment of facial and circumoral herpes. Altern Med Rev. 2005;10(2):123-7.
- Lakhan SE, Vieira KF. Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review. Nutr J. 2010;9:42. doi: 0.1186/1475-2891-9-42
- Fini M, Torricelli P, Giavaresi G, Carpi A, Nicolini A, Giardino R. Effect of L-lysine and L-arginine on primary osteoblast cultures from normal and osteopenic rats. Biomed Pharmacother. 2001 May;55(4):213-20. doi:10.1016/s0753-3322(01)00054-3
- Leinonen I, Iannetta PPM, Rees RM, Russell W, Watson C, Barnes AP. Lysine supply is a critical factor in achieving sustainable global protein economy. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2019;3. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2019.00027
- Akabas SR, Vannice G, Atwater JB, Cooperman T, Cotter R, Thomas L. Quality Certification Programs for Dietary Supplements. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(9):1370-1379. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.11.003
- Civitelli R, Villareal DT, Agnusdei D, Nardi P, Avioli LV, Gennari C. "Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans." Nutrition. 1992 Nov-Dec;8(6):400-5.
- Shaheen E Lakhan, Karen F Vieira. "Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review." Nutrition Journal. October 2010. 9:42doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-42. 7.
- Smriga M, Ando T, Akutsu M, Furukawa Y, Miwa K, Morinaga Y. "Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans." Biomed Res. 2007 Apr;28(2):85-90.
Writer Bio
Allison Adams has worked as a registered dietitian since 1996. She began writing professionally in 2000, with work featured in a variety of medical publications such as "Women's Health Magazine" and the "New England Journal of Medicine." Adams holds a Master of Science in nutrition and food sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.