L-Lysine: Skeletal Muscle

Evidence supports a role for L-lysine in preventing the degradation of skeletal muscle. One of the mechanisms by which this may occur is through suppression of autophagic proteolysis by the L-lysine metabolite L-saccharphone. L-lysine may therefore be a useful nutritional tool to prevent protein degradation, and in this way may provide an environment where protein synthesis can predominate and skeletal muscle building can occur. This may be beneficial to those who wish to increase their muscle mass. L-lysine could therefore be a useful supplement for athletes. In addition, as protein catabolism may occur during dieting, and this may negate many of the benefits of weight loss, L-lysine may be a useful supplement for those that wish to lose body fat and body weight, but maintain lean muscle mass. L-lysine may therefore function in a similar way to L-leucine with respect to preventing muscle degradation, and there might be a use for both supplements in a resistance training or weight loss programme. 

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Sato, T., Ito, Y. and Nagasawa, T. 2016. Regulatory effects of the L-lysine metabolites, L-2-aminoadipic acid and L-pipecolic acid, on protein turnover in C2C12 myotubes. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 80(11): 2168-2175

About Robert Barrington

Robert Barrington is a writer, nutritionist, lecturer and philosopher.
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