Lysine
Lysine is one of the nine essential amino acids vital for human health. It serves as a fundamental building block for proteins throughout the body, contributing to various physiological processes. Unlike non-essential amino acids, lysine cannot be synthesized by the body and must be acquired from dietary sources or supplementation to meet the body's requirements. Its functions are diverse, including supporting healthy growth and development, facilitating the absorption of calcium, and aiding in the formation of collagen, a crucial protein for bones, skin, tendons, and cartilage. Lysine is also involved in the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, which are essential for immune function and overall physiological balance. Furthermore, lysine plays a role in energy production, fat metabolism, and may help maintain the integrity of blood vessels. It is particularly recognized for its potential to support the immune system and manage certain viral challenges, making it a valuable component of a healthy diet.
Meat (beef, pork, chicken)Fish (cod, sardines)Dairy products (cheese, milk, yogurt)EggsLegumes (soybeans, lentils, chickpeas)QuinoaTofuNuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, cashews)
Cheapest Lysine supplements
Discover the most affordable Lysine amino acid supplements to support your hair health, immunity, and bone health goals.
Best Lysine supplements
Discover the best Lysine supplements to support your Hair Health, Immunity, and Bone Health.
Value Lysine supplements
Discover the best value Lysine supplements to support your hair health, immunity, and bone health goals.
Minimum1000 mg
Maximum3000 mg
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–1000 mg
Lysine's dual-action in both mineral handling (calcium absorption/retention) and protein matrix structure (collagen cross-linking) warrants a 'VERY_EFFECTIVE' classification. It directly supports both the hardness and flexibility of bone.
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Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–1500 mg
L-Lysine plays a significant role in hair health by facilitating the absorption of iron and zinc, two critical minerals for hair growth. Studies suggest that adding L-Lysine to an iron supplement can be more effective at reversing shedding in women with low ferritin than taking iron alone.
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Impact
Situational effect
Typical dose:1000–3000 mg
Lysine competes with arginine, an amino acid that the herpes virus requires to replicate. By increasing the lysine-to-arginine ratio, supplementation can reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of cold sore outbreaks. Its use is specific to this condition, not general immunity.
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Calcium
Lysine enhances the intestinal absorption of calcium and helps reduce its excretion, thereby supporting bone health.
Vitamin C
Lysine is a critical component for the formation of collagen, a process that relies on Vitamin C as a cofactor, thereby supporting skin, bone, and connective tissue health.
Iron
Lysine can aid in the absorption of iron and its incorporation into hemoglobin, supporting red blood cell health and oxygen transport.
Collagen
As a key amino acid constituent of collagen, lysine is essential for the body's synthesis and maintenance of this structural protein.
83 Best 
Super Lysine+ Immune Support
Quantum Health
4.8
★★★★★
(5344 ratings)
Lysine: 1500 mg
This supplement provides a robust dose of L-Lysine alongside several traditional immune-supporting ingredients, offering a comprehensive approach to skin and immune health.
82 Best 
L-Lysine Advanced 1500 mg
Country Life
4.7
★★★★★
(48 ratings)
Lysine: 1500 mg
A high-potency L-Lysine capsule with added Vitamin D and an immune blend for comprehensive support.
75 Best 
Lysine 500 mg
Vital Nutrients
4.7
★★★★★
(3 ratings)
Lysine: 1500 mg
Vital Nutrients offers a high-dose L-Lysine option at 1500 mg per serving in capsule form, suitable for those looking for a stronger daily intake to support immunity, hair, and bone health.
65 Best 
MacroMeal Ultimate Vanilla Protein Powder
MacroLife Naturals
4.5
★★★★★
(22 ratings)
Lysine: 1390 mg
This is a plant-based, multi-ingredient protein powder with superfoods and digestive support, available in a smaller, more expensive-per-serving vanilla package.
77 Best 
MacroMeal Ultimate Chocolate Protein Powder
MacroLife Naturals
4.5
★★★★★
(8 ratings)
Lysine: 1970 mg
MacroMeal Ultimate Chocolate is a comprehensive protein powder with added greens, fruits, enzymes, and probiotics, aiming for broad nutritional support and muscle upkeep in a chocolate flavor.
88 Best 
Ortho C+ Lemon Flavor
AOR Advanced Orthomolecular Research Premium
4.1
★★★★★
(18 ratings)
Lysine: 3000 mg
This is a high-potency Vitamin C blend featuring key minerals and amino acids like Lysine and Proline, aiming to support immunity, collagen formation, and bone health.
88 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Carlson
4.8
★★★★★
(156 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
An excellent value L-Lysine capsule from Carlson, providing a standard 500mg dose with a very low price per serving and good customer satisfaction.
85 Budget 
Free-Form L-Lysine 500 mg
Swanson Premium Brand
4.8
★★★★★
(1706 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
A well-priced and popular 500mg L-Lysine capsule from Swanson, delivering good value and consistent customer approval.
86 Value 
L-Lysine 1000 mg
AN Amazing Nutrition Amazing Formulas
4.8
★★★★★
(325 ratings)
Lysine: 1000 mg
A very high-value, high-dose L-Lysine tablet from AN Amazing Nutrition, ideal for long-term use with a strong focus on cost-effectiveness.
87 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Source Naturals
4.7
★★★★★
(757 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
Source Naturals offers a reliable 500 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride capsule at a great price, providing a long-lasting and effective option for supporting hair, immunity, and bone health.
86 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(15173 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
An excellent value L-Lysine product from NOW, providing a standard 500mg dose with widespread customer approval.
95 Value 
L-Lysine
NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(3945 ratings)
Lysine: 435 mg
An incredibly cost-effective L-Lysine powder from NOW, offering flexible dosing and strong customer satisfaction for bulk users.
85 Value 
L-Lysine 600 mg
21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(1178 ratings)
Lysine: 600 mg
This 21st Century L-Lysine offers a practical 600 mg dose with a touch of calcium, providing a good everyday option for those looking to support hair, immunity, and bone health.
78 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Sundown
5.0
★★★★★
(3 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
This Sundown L-Lysine provides a simple 500 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride tablet, offering an economical way to support hair, immunity, and bone health.
88 Budget 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Solaray
4.6
★★★★★
(13612 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
Solaray's L-Lysine delivers a dependable 500 mg dose in a plant-based VegCap, making it a highly popular and well-received option for supporting hair, immunity, and bone health.
90 Budget 
L-Lysine Powder 960 mg
Carlson
4.8
★★★★★
(2244 ratings)
Lysine: 960 mg
A high-dose and economical L-Lysine powder from Carlson, offering flexible dosing and strong customer satisfaction for those preferring bulk options.
88 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Jarrow Formulas
4.8
★★★★★
(4286 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
Jarrow Formulas offers a reliable 500 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride capsule, providing excellent value from a reputable brand for supporting hair, immunity, and bone health.
92 Budget 
L-Lysine 500 mg
California Gold Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(4372 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
A high-quality 500mg L-Lysine capsule using premium AjiPure L-Lysine, highly rated by customers for its perceived purity and effectiveness.
88 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(4431 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
NOW's L-Lysine delivers a reliable 500 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride dose in an easy-to-take capsule, standing out as a trusted and cost-effective choice for supporting hair, immunity, and bone health.
68 Budget 
L-Lysine 500 mg
Natural Factors
4.8
★★★★★
(1820 ratings)
Lysine: 1000 mg
A high-dose 1000mg L-Lysine capsule from Natural Factors with a confusing product name, marked by a very high price per serving.
98 Value 
L-Lysine 500 mg
NOW
4.9
★★★★★
(441 ratings)
Lysine: 500 mg
A highly economical and well-regarded L-Lysine supplement from NOW, offering a standard 500mg dose in a large quantity for consistent use.
68 Best 
MacroMeal Ultimate Vanilla Protein Powder
MacroLife Naturals
4.1
★★★★★
(32 ratings)
Lysine: 1390 mg
A plant-based protein powder with added superfoods, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, delivering comprehensive nutritional support in a vanilla flavor.
78 Best 
MacroMeal Ultimate Vanilla Protein Powder
MacroLife Naturals
3.9
★★★★★
(8 ratings)
Lysine: 1950 mg
MacroMeal Ultimate Vanilla is a multi-source protein powder packed with greens, fruits, enzymes, and probiotics, designed for broad nutritional support and muscle maintenance.
72 Best 
MacroMeal Ultimate Chocolate Protein Powder
MacroLife Naturals
4.4
★★★★★
(19 ratings)
Lysine: 1970 mg
This is a multi-source protein powder enhanced with greens, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, aiming for broad nutritional support in a convenient chocolate-flavored drink.
55 Best 
L-Lysine
Designs for Health
4.8
★★★★★
(6 ratings)
Lysine: 1500 mg
A high-dose L-Lysine capsule, but its cost per serving is on the pricier side with minimal customer feedback to evaluate overall satisfaction.
Average$29.06
Median$20.80
Average$1.02
Median$0.48
Average$0.27
Median$0.11
Reference amount: 100 mg
L-Lysine Hydrochloride is a common and highly effective supplemental form of the essential amino acid L-Lysine. It is produced by reacting L-Lysine with hydrochloric acid, resulting in a stable, crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water. This form ensures excellent absorption and utilization of the biologically active L-isomer of lysine by the body, supporting its diverse physiological roles.
- Highly stable and soluble
- Excellent bioavailability and absorption
- Widely available and well-researched
- Contains a small amount of chloride, generally not problematic but notable
Avg$15.43
Med$12.69
Avg$0.89
Med$0.16
Avg$0.02
Med$0.01
Price distribution
L-Lysine Monohydrochloride is the specific chemical designation for L-Lysine Hydrochloride, indicating that one molecule of lysine is bound to one molecule of hydrochloric acid. This form is highly stable and soluble, making it an excellent choice for dietary supplements. It delivers the essential L-isomer of lysine efficiently, which is the biologically active form the body uses for protein synthesis, immune support, and calcium metabolism.
- High stability and solubility
- Excellent bioavailability and absorption
- Standard and well-documented form
- Contains chloride, typically not a concern for most individuals
Avg$17.75
Med$15.55
Avg$0.18
Med$0.13
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Lysine Monohydrochloride is the precise chemical name for Lysine Hydrochloride, where one molecule of lysine is bound to one hydrochloric acid molecule. In the supplement industry, this form almost invariably refers to the L-isomer, which is the biologically active form of lysine. This salt form provides excellent stability and solubility, ensuring efficient delivery and utilization of lysine for various physiological functions, including protein synthesis and immune support.
- High stability and solubility
- Generally well-absorbed
- Common and reliable form
- Potential ambiguity if the 'L-' isomer isn't explicitly stated, though usually implied
- Contains chloride
Avg$25.00
Med$25.00
Avg$0.34
Med$0.34
Avg$0.07
Med$0.07
Price distribution
L-Lysine in its 'free form' refers to the pure amino acid itself, without being chemically bound to any salt such as hydrochloride. This form is considered highly pure and directly bioavailable, meaning the body can readily absorb and utilize it without needing to separate it from a salt component. It is the natural, biologically active L-isomer, essential for numerous physiological processes including protein synthesis, immune system function, and calcium absorption.
- Purest form, not bound to a salt
- Excellent direct bioavailability
- No added chloride
- May be slightly less stable or have different solubility characteristics than HCl forms in some applications
- Potentially less common or more expensive than HCl forms
Avg$8.40
Med$8.40
Avg$0.14
Med$0.14
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
L-Lysine Chloride is a salt form of the essential amino acid L-Lysine, in which the lysine molecule is chemically bonded with chloride as its counter-ion. This form offers comparable stability and solubility to L-Lysine Hydrochloride, making it a suitable and effective option for dietary supplementation. It efficiently delivers the biologically active L-isomer of lysine to the body, supporting its various metabolic functions.
- Stable and soluble
- Good bioavailability and absorption
- Provides the active L-isomer
- Contains chloride, generally not an issue but worth noting
Avg$52.00
Med$52.00
Avg$1.73
Med$1.73
Avg$0.27
Med$0.27
Price distribution
Lysine Hydrochloride is a widely utilized supplemental form of the essential amino acid Lysine. Although the 'L-' prefix is often omitted in its naming, in the context of dietary supplements, this form almost universally refers to L-Lysine Hydrochloride, the biologically active and absorbable isomer. It is a stable and soluble salt, facilitating its efficient delivery and utilization by the body for various vital functions, similar to L-Lysine Hydrochloride.
- Stable and soluble
- Generally well-absorbed and utilized
- Cost-effective and widely available
- Potential ambiguity if the 'L-' isomer isn't explicitly stated, though usually implied in supplements
- Contains chloride
Avg$8.53
Med$8.53
Avg$0.14
Med$0.14
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution