Lysine for Canker Sores & Mouth Ulcers – Review, Dosages & Side Effects

Can you use L-Lysine supplements to get rid of canker sores naturally? There is some research to suggest it may prevent and treat mouth ulcers, supporting your body’s natural ability to heal.

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that may help improve canker sores by increasing collagen formation in connective tissue, cartilage and skin.

In research studies, L-lysine supplementation has been shown to promote skin health and support production of hormones, antibodies and enzymes conducive to healing canker sores.

A canker sore is a type of lesion in the mouth and gums that is also referred to as an “aphthous ulcer.” While similar to cold sores, canker sores are not caused by the herpes virus and are not contagious.

Lysine is well-established to improve healing of cold sores (Herpes labialis) and to prevent recurrences of the infection. Research shows it is effective for cold sores when taken orally or applied topically to the skin.

There is less research available to determine the efficacy of L-lysine supplements for treating or preventing canker sores. Preliminary studies do demonstrate benefits and some of the mechanism of action are similar for treating canker versus cold sores.

Lysine

Amino Acid

Immunity

Skin

Longevity

How It Works:

• Promotes health skin & bones
• Boosts immunity & antibody production
• Supports tissue repair & hormone balance

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top Lysine Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

What are Canker Sores?

Canker sores are small, sometimes painful lesions that can develop in the mouth. They often heal by themselves and their cause is not well-understood.

Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, can erupt on the tongue, inside of the cheeks or gums. For reasons unknown, canker sores affect twice as many women as men and initially appear between the ages of five and 20.

Canker sores are grayish-white in the middle encircled by a reddish, inflamed area. They can occur as a single sore or in clusters. Usually taking about two weeks to fully heal, cankers sore remain painful for several days and can recur frequently.

The origin of canker sores is a mystery, but doctors think they may emerge from an allergic reaction, an autoimmune condition or possibly a virus that has yet to be discovered. [2]

According to Whole Health Chicago, a vitamin D deficiency, not getting enough lysine in the diet and irritation from eating certain foods can also play a role in the development of these lesions.

Is Lysine Effective for Canker Sores?

According to Reader’s Digest magazine, “Many experts think lysine, an amino acid, may be needed to fix a deficiency associated with canker sores. Take 500 milligrams of L-lysine three times a day on an empty stomach until your sore is healed.” [10]

L-lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that the body cannot synthesize it on its own. We must consume this amino acid from our diet.

Amino acids like L-lysine are essential to make all protein molecules in the body. Proteins play an important role in promoting wound healing, healthy cell growth and immune function.

Based on the endogenous role of L-Lysine in protein synthesis, there is medical rational for taking a lysine supplement to alleviate canker sores.

In one research study, taking 500 mg of lysine daily was found to be effective for preventing canker sores. A higher 4000 mg per day dosage was found to decrease the duration of how long canker sores lasted based on patient assessment.

There has only been one research study examining the effects of lysine on canker sores. More clinical trials are needed to determine therapeutic efficacy of this strategy.

There is also research to suggest that lysine may support oral hygiene which could reduce the likelihood of developing canker sores.

In one study of cavity-free adults compared to adults who had experienced dental decay, lysine was correlated with being cavity-free. Higher levels of free arginine were observed in the parotid (ductal) saliva of adults who had experienced dental decay whereas elevated levels of lysine were observed in those who had not developed cavities.

Cankers sore often develop when someone is under stress, drink or eat foods high in acid content, wear braces or suffer trauma to the mouth. Women also report having more incidences of canker sores during their menstrual period. [5]

Unlike cold sores, canker sores (aphthous stomatitis) are probably not caused by viruses but by a combination of conditions, such as food allergies or nutritional deficiencies, especially iron and vitamin B12.

Although lysine may provide minimal benefits for canker sores, numbing creams like benzocaine or anti-inflammatory mouth rinses can help reduce canker sore pain. [6]

Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores?

Although lysine is used for both, there are important differences between canker sores and cold sores.

Cankers sores can appear anywhere inside the mouth while cold sores form around the mouth or directly on the lips. Cold sores (also called fever blisters) are viral infections produced by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1).

Symptoms of cold sores include the appearance of the blisters themselves accompanied by low-grade fever, fatigue and swollen glands. About one to two days prior to a cold sore outbreak, you may notice a tingling or burning sensation where blisters later emerge.

Cold sores fill with pus, break open, crust over and eventually heal within 10 days. They are extremely painful, making it difficult to speak or eat with discomfort.

Studies involving the effect of lysine on the herpes simplex virus (cold sores and genital herpes) has shown that viruses like HSV need another amino acid called arginine to replicate. Lysine appears to counteract arginine’s viral properties by acting as an anti-metabolite and preventing arginine from supporting HSV replication.

In addition, people suffering cold sores who take lysine supplements as soon as they sense an outbreak may boost protein nutrition and immune system response to the outbreak. [3], [4]

Research shows that lysine may reduce the severity and healing time required for herpes simplex labialis infections. Applying lysine directly to lesions in products like the Super Lysine Plus+ formulation appear to decrease symptoms and duration.

Lysine is also used for suppressing activity of the human papilloma virus responsible for genital herpes and genital warts outbreaks. [1]

The second type of herpes simplex virus is HSV-2, which causes genital herpes and warts. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are spread via bodily fluids and present similar symptoms

Lysine for Canker Sores Dosage

Recommended dosage for treating canker sores, cold sores and other herpes simplex infections with lysine is between 500 mg to three grams per day. Higher dosages of L-lysine should be taken during a breakout while smaller doses are reserved for in-between cold sore breakouts.

In one study, a dosage of 4,000 mg per day of L-lysine was used to treat canker sores that had developed. This dosage is higher than what was used in other treatment protocols.

Always check with your physician before starting a regimen of lysine supplements to ensure any medications you are taking do not interact adversely with lysine. [7]

This amino acid is also found naturally in common foods. Increasing your intake of foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, certain nuts, soy and legumes can help you get more of this compound in your diet.

User Reviews & Ratings

Reviews regarding the use of lysine for canker and cold sores are generally favorable and indicate this supplement may help for expediting healing of outbreaks. Not all users experience benefits. Some report that changing your dosage or brand of supplement can improve results.

One user said, “The lysine is fantastic! After having huge, hideous, super painful ulcers on and under my tongue for 6 weeks.. they are now gone! Took 7-8days for the ulcer under my tongue to go away (it was huge), but the lysine is a winner. Persevere. I noticed the pain had reduced after a couple of days of taking it. I was taking 3200mg of lysine (4x tablets) per day, on an empty tummy – or as empty as I could between meals.” [11]

Another user reported: “For all who say that Lysine does not work, I have been taking it forever and I have seen that some brands do and some not. I am not sure it has anything to do with quality, I figure each person reacts differently to other brands. Also, I use it along Zilactin kind of cream/paste that protects the sore and it heals in no time if used with both, depending how bad the sore is. So if you tried Lysine and it didn’t work, perhaps you should try a diff brand before you give up.” [11]

A third reviewer stated, “L-Lysine is the best to use for canker sores, but you MUST start using when you FIRST feel the thing starting. If you wait until the thing grows bigger and hurts more, it sometimes will not work. But if you use it right away, the sore will invariably go away within a couple of days, never having gotten any bigger as soon as you start taking it.” [11]

On WebMD, one reviewer reports taking 2000 mg of lysine daily to prevent cold sore eruptions and increasing that amount when they feel the tingling and burning of an impending cold sore. The reviewer claims that since taking lysine daily for the past two years, they have been cold-sore free. [8]

Another reviewer writes: “I take 1000 mg of three times a day at the first sign of a cold sore. Lysine stops the cold sore in its tracks and completely clears it up within one to two days–incredible results!” [8]

Lysine Contraindications and Safety

Lysine is an essential amino acid and is found naturally in the human diet. It is generally well-tolerated when taken appropriately.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, use of Lysine supplements is rated Possibly Safe for up to one year. They recommend avoiding high dosages for long periods of time as it could affect renal function and platelet aggregation.

In high doses, this supplement can cause abdominal pain, upset stomach, changes in cholesterol levels and formation of gallstones.

For people with heart disease, high triglycerides or high cholesterol, taking lysine for mouth ulcer relief may raise triglyceride and cholesterol or interfere with the effectiveness of cholesterol-reducing medications.

In addition, lysine promotes calcium absorption in the body, which could be problematic if you are taking calcium supplements or consuming multiple antacid chews containing calcium.

Always discuss taking lysine for canker sores or cold sores with your doctor if you have a chronic health condition or take prescription medications. [9]

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