Essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from diet. Functions as co-activator of mTOR signaling by inhibiting mTOR inhibitors, thereby supporting muscle protein synthesis, collagen formation, and tissue growth.
Lysine acts indirectly on mTOR by inhibiting mTOR suppressor proteins, allowing leucine to more effectively activate mTORC1. This co-activation pattern means lysine + leucine together produce greater anabolic response than leucine alone. Lysine is also hydroxylated (via vitamin C-dependent lysyl oxidase) to hydroxylysine, essential for collagen cross-linking and stability.
In cPNI practice, lysine supplementation (along with leucine) is used to support muscle protein synthesis in sarcopenia, wound healing, and recovery from injury. Lysine deficiency impairs collagen synthesis, wound healing, and immune function. Particularly important for vegetarians/vegans as plant proteins are often lysine-limiting. Typical therapeutic dose: 1-3g/day.
- Essential amino acid, must be obtained from diet
- Indirectly activates mTOR by inhibiting mTOR inhibitors
- Works synergistically with leucine for muscle protein synthesis
- Required for collagen and connective tissue synthesis
- Converted to hydroxylysine in collagen via lysyl oxidase (vitamin C-dependent)
- Plant proteins often lysine-limiting (especially grains)
- Typical intake requirement: 30-45 mg/kg/day (2-3g for 70kg adult)
- Supplementation effective for wound healing and muscle synthesis
- Also involved in carnitine synthesis (with methionine)
- leucine — works synergistically with lysine to activate mTOR
- mTOR — lysine co-activates mTOR by inhibiting mTOR inhibitors
- mTORC1 — lysine enhances leucine-mediated mTORC1 activation
- muscle protein synthesis — lysine + leucine combination optimizes muscle protein synthesis
- collagen — essential amino acid for collagen synthesis
- hydroxylysine — lysine hydroxylated to hydroxylysine for collagen cross-linking
- lysyl oxidase — enzyme catalyzing lysine hydroxylation in collagen
- vitamin C — vitamin C required as cofactor for lysyl oxidase
- wound healing — lysine essential for collagen deposition in wound healing
- sarcopenia — lysine supplementation supports muscle mass in sarcopenia
- satellite cells — lysine acts as trigger for satellite cell activation
- BCAAs — lysine works with BCAAs (especially leucine) for anabolism
- protein synthesis — lysine directly incorporated into proteins and activates synthesis
- L-carnitine — lysine is precursor (with methionine) for carnitine synthesis
- immune function — lysine supports antibody production and immune cell function
- connective tissue — critical for connective tissue integrity via collagen
- vegetarian diet — vegetarian diets often lysine-deficient, requiring attention
- grain proteins — grains are lysine-limiting, complemented by legumes
- essential amino acids — lysine is one of nine essential amino acids
- anabolism — lysine promotes anabolic state via mTOR activation