EBV and Lysine

[leonardo]

Anyone tried lysine to fight ebv virus?

I have googled that it is often used by patients with herpes virus (to get rid of cold sores) - ebv is also from herpes family.
CFS sufferers take lysine too. It seems to be safe because it is found in most foods in different amounts.

I haven't heard about clinical studies on lysine and ebv.

[Scott1]

Yes, I've looked at this. Lysine is helpful to contain herpes family viruses. It shares a pathway with Arginine. I'm a big fan of using L-Arginine to vasodilate so I was concerned that arginine would outcompete the Lysine and my EBV might reactivate. To offset this I used Valacyclovir for a while when I started the L-Arginine. Now I don't bother as I seem to be OK.
I don't believe the Lysine has enough kick in it to really fight the EBV. I took valacyclovir (Valtrex) every day for 10 years to interrupt the EBV cycle and I believe it was the only thing that really lowered my viral load. The ultimate proof that I had made a difference was when I developed gout!
Regards

[leonardo]

Yes, people from CFS and Herpes communities claim that the ratio of Lysine to Arginine is important (because they compete). Lysine blocks viruses and Arginine promotes them.

I found out that it's also helpful in reducing anxiety and helps to cope with stress. One guy started lysine and after 7-8 weeks he reduced his drugs (benzo - something) by 25%. After 3 years he reduced his drugs by 90%.

I'm starting lysine right now and stopping nuts, almonds, seeds that have high arginine/lysine ratio.

[Scott1]

I think you would be wrong to think Arginine promotes viral activity. All you could say is it would outcompete Lysine which is an antiviral.
I remain a very big fan of L-Arginine.

Regards

[leonardo]

The L in GLATiramar (Copaxone) apparently stands for Lysine.

[CureOrBust]

Anyone tried lysine to fight ebv virus?

I have googled that it is often used by patients with herpes virus (to get rid of cold sores) - ebv is also from herpes family.
CFS sufferers take lysine too. It seems to be safe because it is found in most foods in different amounts.

I haven't heard about clinical studies on lysine and ebv.

These guys may have links to studies regarding herpes (cold sores in particular)
http://www.swisse.com/au/vitamins-and-s ... ore-combat

Swisse Ultiboost Cold Sore Combat
EACH TABLET CONTAINS:
Lysine 500 mg (Lysine hydrochloride 625 mg)
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata leaf standardised extract equiv. to leaf dry 400 mg, andrographolide 4.5 mg)
Zinc 10 mg (Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid 250 mg from calcium ascorbate dihydrate 302.59 mg)

[Kronk]

The L in GLATiramar (Copaxone) apparently stands for Lysine.

Copaxone is supposed to replicate basic myelin protein so it includes L- glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine and L-lysine. Lysine is very interesting though...

Some studies have found that lysine may be beneficial for those with herpes simplex infections.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/640102

One small randomized, controlled study found that it reduced outbreaks by 2.4 per year.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20054504

Lysine has a anxiolytic action through its effects on serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract, and is also hypothesized to reduce anxiety through serotonin regulation in the amygdala. One study on rats 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. Human studies have also shown 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; Smiriga and colleagues concluded that anxiety reduction from lysine occurs through mechanism of serotonin alterations in the central amygdala; older primary research reports hypothesized lysine to reduce anxiety through the potentiation of benzodiazepine receptors (common targets of anxiolytic drugs such as Xanax and Ativan). (Note that all of these studies were funded by Ajinomoto, Co. Inc., an industrial manufacturer of lysine.)

Further studies suggest that a high-lysine diet or L-lysine monochloride supplements may have a moderating effect on blood pressure and the incidence of stroke.

I do powerlifting 4 days a week but since I am on the Swank diet I have diffculty getting enough calories and protein in my diet so i take an ISO-93 protein 2x a day. Its interesting to note that Lysine is found in high protein foods and my protein powder has the amino acid profile is listed below, so i figure i am covered without a pill.

Typical Amino Acid Profile*Essential Amino Acid
L-Alanine - 1530mg
L-Arginine - 630mg
L-Aspartic Acid - 3150mg
L-Cystine/Cystein - 720mg
L-Glutamic Acid - 5130mg
L-Glycine - 480mg
L-Histidine - 480mg
L-Isoleucine* - 1860mg
L-Leucine* - 3210mg
L-Lysine* - 3330mg
L-Methionine* - 660mg
L-Phenylalanine* - 840mg
L-Proline - 1680mg
L-Serine - 1320mg
L-Threonine* - 1950mg
L-Tryptophan* - 510mg
L-Tyrosine - 840mg
L-Valine* - 1680mg

Total = 30000mg

[leonardo]

I added lysine to my diet (1g + nuts avoidance) and I see some good results,
- anxiety and tension is reduced, better mood,
- energy production is better/less fatigue,
- frequent urination got worse.