Is lysine safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Lysine and Breastfeeding
Lysine, an essential amino acid, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including protein synthesis, hormone production, and immune function. For breastfeeding mothers, ensuring adequate intake of lysine is important, as it cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through diet or supplements.
Safety of Lysine During Breastfeeding
Research indicates that lysine supplementation is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Studies show that when lysine is administered, only a small fraction—approximately 0.5% of the dose—transfers into breast milk. This amount is clinically insignificant and is primarily present as part of proteins rather than as free amino acids. Therefore, the likelihood of elevated levels of free lysine in breast milk due to supplementation is minimal.
Health professionals, including those from The Royal Women’s Hospital, support the notion that lysine supplementation during breastfeeding does not pose significant risks to infants. Additionally, anecdotal evidence from forums and discussions among mothers suggests that many have safely used lysine supplements for conditions like cold sores while nursing.
Dietary Sources vs. Supplements
While lysine supplements are deemed safe, it is also important for breastfeeding mothers to consider dietary sources of lysine. Foods rich in lysine include meat, fish, dairy products, legumes, and certain grains. Consuming these foods can help ensure that mothers meet their lysine needs without the potential uncertainties associated with supplementation.
Conclusion
In summary, lysine is not only essential for breastfeeding mothers but is also safe to use as a supplement during this period. The minimal transfer of lysine into breast milk and the support from health authorities provide reassurance for mothers considering its use. However, as with any supplement, it is advisable for mothers to consult with healthcare providers to tailor their dietary and supplementation choices to their individual health needs.

Can L-lysine cause weight gain?

Lysine supplements significantly increase weight gain, nitrogen retention, and stabilized albumin levels, whereas the withdrawal of the supplement significantly reduced the weight gain.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

Is it safe to take lysine supplements while pregnant?

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if lysine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Who should not take lysine?

While lysine in the diet is considered safe, excessive doses may cause gallstones. There have also been reports of renal dysfunction, including Fanconi syndrome and renal failure. Talk to your doctor before taking supplemental lysine if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What does lysine do for babies?

High splanchnic lysine extraction in preterm infants in their first weeks of life may be necessary to provide amino acids for their high intestinal protein synthesis during a period of rapid adaptation to enteral feeding.

Can you pass HSV through breast milk?

The herpes virus can also be spread to your baby if you have a blister caused by herpes on your breast and you feed your baby with the affected breast or expressed breast milk from the affected breast. A baby is most at risk of getting a herpes infection in the first 4 weeks after birth.

How fast does lysine work on cold sores?

Another study of 1,543 patients with active cold sore lesions found that 85% of subjects who took 1,000 mg of oral lysine said their lesions healed in five days, compared to 90% reporting lesions taking six to 15 days to heal when they did not take lysine.

What can I take for cold sores while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding and cold sores
Cold sores occur commonly around the time of delivery, so it is important to treat cold sores aggressively to prevent transmission to a newborn baby. Aciclovir cream, aciclovir or valaciclovir tablets are all considered safe while breastfeeding.

Does L-lysine help with cold sores?

You can take lysine supplements every day to treat or prevent cold sores. Research suggests this is safe for most people, provided you take a reasonable dose. If you’re taking lysine supplements to prevent an outbreak, take no more than 1 gm per day. A dose of 500 mg a day has been shown to be effective.

Can I breastfeed while taking lysine?

Lysine may reduce how much calcium you absorb. It may decrease urine loss. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t use lysine supplements.