Taking an L-Lysine supplement or eating foods rich in L-Lysine, an essential amino acid, may help reduce anxiety. L-Lysine may help improve moods by facilitating the flow of neurotransmitters in the brain.
L-Lysine
L-Lysine, which may also be referred to as Lysine, is an amino acid necessary to maintain health. L-Lysine is not produced by the body and must be obtained from food or dietary supplements.
Source
Foods that are high in protein, such as meat, cheese, eggs, nuts and beans, are sources of L-Lysine. L-Lysine is also available as a dietary supplement in tablet, capsule and liquid forms.
Anxiety
According to research published in 2003 in the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" (PNAS), increased intake of L-Lysine may help reduce "stress-induced anxiety." Research published in a 2007 issue of the journal "Biomedical Research" finds that L-Lysine as a dietary supplement may reduce chronic anxiety in people who are deficient in L-Lysine.
Serotonin
According to research published in 2002 in the "Journal of Nutrition," a deficiency of L-Lysine inhibited the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin in rats. According to MayoClinic.com, elevated levels of serotonin are associated with good moods.
Considerations
A deficiency of L-Lysine may also cause fatigue, agitation and nausea.
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