How does lysine support immunity? Antiviral and immunological action

Lysine supplementation is most often discussed in the context of supporting proper body growth and muscle tissue development. This is not surprising, as this essential amino acid is necessary for building protein tissues. However, it is worth paying attention to its protective properties – because lysine can help not only during periods of increased physical activity but also… weakened immunity.

What is lysine?

Lysine is an essential protein amino acid. This means that it is a component needed for building, for example, muscles, but our body obtains it only from food and cannot produce it on its own. Interestingly, lysine used in dietary supplements is the result of the work of bacteria that synthesize it from glucose. For this reason, there are studies examining whether human bacterial flora would be able to synthesize lysine with an adequate supply of primary components – however, at the moment, studies do not show such a possibility to a degree sufficient to meet the body’s demand for this amino acid.

In addition to regenerating and building muscle tissues, lysine is involved in:

• building cartilage,
• synthesis of collagen, keratin, and elastin, as well as hemoglobin,
• synthesis of enzymes and hormones,
• antibody production,
• changing gene expression (without changes in DNA code),
• calcium absorption process,
• carnitine production, if its intake from food is insufficient to meet the body’s needs.

Due to its wide application in building body tissues, lysine supports not only functions related to growth and regeneration. Its deficiency also affects the body’s resistance to attacking microorganisms.

The role of lysine in the immune system

The body’s immunity consists of a range of functions, organs, and substances that the body uses when microorganisms attack. Lysine supports at least three of them.

1. Antibody formation – B lymphocytes require lysine to produce antibodies that bind antigens on the surface of bacteria, parasites, and viruses, preventing them from further infecting the body. Antibodies can also activate other immune defense reactions, which is why their sufficient quantity is crucial for quick and effective fight against infections.
2. Synthesis of proteins necessary for maintaining proper skin function – keratin, collagen, and elastin are essential not only for maintaining a youthful appearance. Elastic and nourished skin constitutes the first, physical barrier that microorganisms cannot overcome, significantly reducing the risk of infection.
3. Carnitine synthesis – carnitine is a substance responsible for transporting fatty acids to cell nuclei, where they are metabolized into energy. Its adequate level in the body not only contributes to maintaining a proper cholesterol level (and thus a lower risk of coronary heart disease) but also to the proper reaction of immune system cells, which have both building blocks (lysine) and energy (thanks to carnitine) for producing an immune response to infection.

Lysine’s epigenetic properties can also be classified as supporting the immune system – in a great simplification, it is a compound that can “wrap itself” around the cell’s DNA code, influencing the execution of information contained within. In this way, lysine can affect the activation or deactivation of the cell’s code, supporting its function or inhibiting its development². Research into the use of these properties is still ongoing; currently, they are primarily being tested in combination with radiotherapy to destroy malignant cancer cells.

Lysine and HSV infections – what do studies say?

In the context of antiviral protection, lysine has also attracted researchers’ attention due to its potential in supporting the treatment of the HSV-1 herpes virus, which attacks the genitals and mucous membranes of the body. Its action is based on a structure similar to arginine – another amino acid found in the body, which, however, is also an essential material in virus replication.

Arginine and lysine have similar chemical structures and occupy the same position in the protein bonds of tissues. However, lysine does not create an environment that allows for virus replication, while arginine has been identified as a compound that HSV-1 requires to spread in the body. For this reason, lysine is being studied as a potential silencing agent, forcing the virus to remain in remission – for infected individuals, this means a state without visible herpes. Reducing arginine-based bonds and replacing them with HSV-1 resistant lysine should reduce the ability to infect tissues without negatively affecting the body’s regenerative capabilities. Although studies of this property yield varied results (e.g., lysine increased the interval between relapses but did not affect the speed of healing of an ongoing infection), experiments aimed at determining the optimal form and dosage of lysine are still ongoing. Anecdotal evidence – individuals using this amino acid also mention an improvement in the frequency of herpes “outbreaks” – consistent with the results of initial studies, indicates lysine’s potential for protection against the virus.

Interestingly, a 1994 study showed that lysine supplementation also accelerated the healing of mouth ulcers caused by HSV-1 infection.

Synergy of lysine with other immune-boosting ingredients

In immunity supplements, the biggest problem is often finding ingredients that deliver a given substance in the most absorbable form – this is why, for example, in supplements aimed at regulating the level of a trace element, we can find various compounds combining it with acids, from gluconic to picolinic. The purpose of such action is to stabilize the substance and ensure its delivery to the intestines without irritating the stomach. The second method of increasing absorption is combining substances that have a confirmed synergistic relationship, i.e., mutually support each other’s action.

Lysine has shown such a relationship with several key elements for the body (including calcium). In the context of substances commonly associated with supporting immunity, this relationship is most visible with:

• zinc – lysine supports its absorption in the intestines, which may be related to their use in similar processes in the body,
• vitamin C – lysine has a good relationship with most antioxidants in the human body, but it is with vitamin C that it is used at the cellular level, both in the process of collagen synthesis, carnitine production, and in the formation of immune system cells.

For this reason, if we are considering lysine supplementation to support immunity, it is worth investing in products that combine it with at least one of the above ingredients.

Bibliography:

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• Science Daily, Chemists Kill Cancer Cells With Light-activated Molecules, 2008 [accessed 21.01.2026: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070808132019.htm]
• E.F. Wright, Clinical effectiveness of lysine in treating recurrent aphthous ulcers and herpes labialis, General Dentistry, no. 42/1994, z. 1.