Does L-Lysine Help Depression?

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid. L-Lysine is not made in the body, it must be eaten in food or taken in a supplement. L-Lysine plays a major role in calcium absorption, building muscle and recovering from surgery or sports injuries. It is also crucial for the bodies production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

How L-Lysine Relates to Depression

• Low levels of L-Lysine have many of the same symptoms as depression including apathy and fatigue. A L-Lysine deficiency can result from high levels of stress. Like other amino acids, L-Lysine plays an important role in neurochemistry in the brain which influences mood and mental function.

The Food Connection

• Food high in L-Lysine have been proven to increase mood and energy. Some of the foods it is found in are legumes, soy, meat, cheese, eggs and cereal grains.

How Much L-Lysine Will Help?

• Most of us need about 1 g of L-Lysine per day. It is recommended to get the maximum results of L-Lysine you should take 500 mg twice a day to see benefits from it.

Studies

• There have been no official well known studies done directly on L-Lysine and depression. So there is no proof it will work. But side affects and risks are minimal which means for most people its worth a try.

Vicious Cycle

• The L-Lysine effect is hard to prove for another reason. When people are experiencing symptoms of depression, they often don't eat very well. This keeps their L-Lysine level low which induces the same symptoms as depression.