Short Answer: L-lysine is good for hypothyroidism. Because it has tyrosine and collagen, and they can boost thyroid hormone levels and improve skin, hair, and joint health.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ in your neck that produces hormones that regulate your metabolism.
In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which can slow down your metabolism and affect many bodily functions, such as your heart rate, body temperature, energy level, and weight.
This can lead to various health problems, such as high cholesterol, heart disease, depression, and infertility.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seafood, dairy products, and eggs, and avoid goitrogenic foods like cruciferous vegetables, soy, and millet.
Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid hormone production, while goitrogens are substances that can interfere with thyroid function and worsen hypothyroidism.
Now, l-lysine is an amino acid that is found mostly in animal products.
People usually take l-lysine supplements to prevent or treat cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus, as l-lysine can block another amino acid called arginine, which the virus needs to multiply.
L-lysine is good for hypothyroidism because it contains tyrosine, another amino acid that is a building block for thyroid hormones.
Tyrosine can help boost thyroid hormone levels and improve hypothyroidism symptoms.
L-lysine can also support collagen production, which is important for skin, hair, and joint health.
Collagen synthesis requires both lysine and vitamin C, and hypothyroidism can impair both of these nutrients.
Taking l-lysine supplements can help restore collagen levels and prevent or reduce hair loss, dry skin, and joint pain associated with hypothyroidism.
Furthermore, l-lysine is a protein and protein is good for hypothyroidism.
Because, protein can help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can be affected by hypothyroidism.
Protein can also help increase metabolism, which can be slowed down by hypothyroidism.
Protein can also help build and maintain muscle mass, which can be lost due to hypothyroidism.
You can take 500 to 1000 mg of l-lysine per day safely.
More than that can cause side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and kidney problems.
Also, you shouldn’t take l-lysine if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are taking calcium supplements, to prevent increasing your risk of heart disease.
Because, l-lysine can increase the absorption of calcium and cholesterol in the body.
You can buy l-lysine supplements online as well as offline.
To buy it online, there are many brands and marketplaces to choose from.
But as a nutritionist, I recommend Pure Encapsulations L-Lysine from Amazon.
Because, this brand is certified gluten-free, non-GMO, and hypoallergenic, and uses high-quality ingredients and rigorous testing.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroidism patients to follow a hypothyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.