Lysine (L-lysine)
Sleep & Recovery · Essential amino acid
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Lysine (L-lysine) as B+ (7.1/10) based on moderate evidence, moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Old, simple, mostly evidence-supported for HSV cold-sore prevention — the biggest residual claim.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 1000-3000 mg/day for HSV prophylaxis; up to 3 g three times daily during outbreak — OTC; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Old, simple, mostly evidence-supported for HSV cold-sore prevention — the biggest residual claim. Newer biohacker stacks rarely include it; valacyclovir is more effective when episodes are frequent. Not a sleep agent despite the category; placed here per existing convention for amino-acid recovery supplements.
Mechanism
Essential proteinogenic amino acid; substrate for carnitine biosynthesis; competes with arginine for intestinal transport and viral protein synthesis — basis for the HSV recurrence hypothesis (HSV proteins are arginine-rich)
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
1000-3000 mg/day for HSV prophylaxis; up to 3 g three times daily during outbreak
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Lysine (L-lysine)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Lysine (L-lysine) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as moderate, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Old, simple, mostly evidence-supported for HSV cold-sore prevention — the biggest residual claim.
- What safety findings are reported for Lysine (L-lysine)?
- Lysine (L-lysine) has a low risk profile in the database. Low (rare GI upset; theoretical concern with arginine-dependent processes like NO/erectile function at high chronic doses) Legal status: OTC.
- What doses or routes are reported for Lysine (L-lysine)?
- 1000-3000 mg/day for HSV prophylaxis; up to 3 g three times daily during outbreak This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Lysine (L-lysine) work?
- Essential proteinogenic amino acid; substrate for carnitine biosynthesis; competes with arginine for intestinal transport and viral protein synthesis — basis for the HSV recurrence hypothesis (HSV proteins are arginine-rich)
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.