I've started and then stopped taking the L-Lysine twice now, as it was tearing up my stomach. JOH's regimen recommends taking it on an empty stomach in the a.m., and I was only taking one 500 mg tablet as it's better for me to start new meds and supplements slowly and then increase if tolerated. I'm still taking the Vinpocetine and bioflavonoids and will start the Gingko Biloba today. In doing a search of the Forum, one person posted that it's okay to take the Lysine with or without food. If that's correct then possibly I could tolerate the Lysine with food. Any comments?
Lysine taken with foods containing proteins (which are polymers of amino acids, including lysine) gets used by the body to make more proteins, and therefore can't be available to disrupt herpes virus activity. Perhaps if taken with foods containing no proteins the lysine would still work against herpes viruses. But I have no information on that, such as what foods would work in that way. --John of Ohio
Here's something you may find interesting. One of our new kittens is sneezing and has a small eye infection. Vet recommended Opthalmic drops and Lysine! The Lysine comes in the form of a treat to help kitty's immune system fight a cold. They don't like to give antibiotics for a simple cold unless it gets upper respiratory because they're so small. I found the fact that they even have Lysine for pets amazing. Just sharing.
Hi Marion, When I first started the Lysine on an empty stomach it irritated me. I then started taking it with a twenty ounce glass of water and I haven't had any problems.
You don't need to take l-lysine with an empty stomach. You need to take it with no additional proteins. This because the body will selectively choose to absorb the other proteins instead of the supplement. You can take it with water, juice, a small amount of carb like bread. (Remember that just about everything has some protein in it, so think small amounts of anything. Source: I'm an acupuncturist and my training includes the safe use of supplements. Also, I'm a vegan and I became obsessed with protein years ago when I had a bout of insomnia. lol There's a lot of time to look up articles on e-med when you can't sleep.
I tried to take more that 500 mg x2/day but it made me nauseous. Wish I could take more but 500 will have to do. Does anyone else have this problem with l-lysine?
No problem with L-Lysine. It do usually take 1000 mg with about 10-15 oz water with no issues. I have tablets. I wonder if capsules might be easier to digest. I don't know.