Amino acids
L-Lysine
Collagen · immunity
Essential amino acid; collagen, antiviral support. Common dose 1–3 g.
What L-Lysine does
Lysine is one of the nine essential amino acids — the body can't make it. Most balanced diets cover the requirement easily; legume-heavy diets without grain pairing can fall short, since legumes are typically lower in methionine but adequate in lysine, while grains are the reverse. The one notable supplement use case is recurrent oral or genital herpes (HSV-1/HSV-2) outbreaks: 1–3 g/day during prodrome has small clinical-trial support for reducing outbreak duration and frequency.
Food sources of L-Lysine
Approximate L-Lysine content per serving. Whole-food intake counts toward your daily total alongside any supplemental dose.
| Food | Serving | L-Lysine |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken breast | 3 oz | 2.4 g |
| Cooked beef | 3 oz | 2.5 g |
| Cooked tuna | 3 oz | 2.4 g |
| Cottage cheese | 1/2 cup | 1.4 g |
| Lentils (cooked) | 1 cup | 1.2 g |
| Eggs (whole) | 1 large | 0.5 g |
Signs of L-Lysine deficiency
- ●Rare in protein-adequate diets
- ●Slow growth in children, fatigue, hair loss, irritability in protein-undernourished populations
Who needs more L-Lysine
Groups and situations where L-Lysine requirements rise or status commonly runs low:
- ●Recurrent herpes simplex outbreaks (1–3 g during prodrome)
- ●Wheat-dominant diets without animal protein or legumes
- ●Athletes with very high protein turnover and limited animal-protein intake
How L-Lysine appears on labels
Supplement labels list L-Lysine under several names depending on the chemical form used. Any of these on an ingredients panel counts toward your L-Lysine intake:
- l-lysine
- lysine
Best supplements for L-Lysine
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list L-Lysine on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Deep dive
For mechanism of action, dosing protocols, evidence grade, and interaction warnings on L-Lysine, see the full encyclopedia entry:
L-Lysine encyclopedia entry →Frequently asked questions
What is the daily target for L-Lysine?
What foods are highest in L-Lysine?
What is the best form of L-Lysine to supplement?
What are the signs of L-Lysine deficiency?
Who is most at risk for low L-Lysine?
Related amino acids
Track your full intake
Formulate's free web app aggregates L-Lysine (and ~40 other nutrients) across every supplement in your stack — flagging underdoses, overlaps, and upper-limit overshoots in one view.
Track your intake free →Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Targets and upper limits are general adult reference values; individual needs vary by age, sex, pregnancy status, and clinical context.