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Many people don't realize the importance of lysine in their diets. Most children have been told by their parents to take a lysine tablet when they have a cold sore, but few stress the importance on eating foods with lysine in them. Many foods naturally contain lysine, which is usually enough for most dietary needs, but some diets can be dangerously low in this essential amino acid.

If you don't have enough lysine in your diet, there can be consequences. You may suffer fatigue whether you are active or not, and you may become dizzy and experience nausea. Lack of lysine also may lead to loss of appetite, slow growth for children, reproductive disorders for adults, anemia, bloodshot eyes, and can cause a person to be easily agitated.

Lysine works with methionine in the manufacture of carnitine, which is instrumental in lowering cholesterol by morphing fatty acids to energy. It is one of many amino acids that contribute to the formation of protein, and is instrumental in the absorption of calcium by the body. Your looks may suffer from a lack of lysine because it is important for the formation of collagen, a prime supplement of the skin.

Since the body can't make its own lysine, poor dieting habits can lead to a lack of it. While supplements can fill the gap, foods high in lysine are the best way to get this amino acid.

For certain people, the normal amounts of lysine might not be enough. Most notably, athletes, burn victims, and vegans need more foods high in lysine that the average person does. Vegans don't have meat as a protein source; they can starve their systems of lysine if they do not make sure to consume enough other foods to compensate.

Although eating a lot of red meat is not good for other health reasons, it is one source of lysine. Other meats, such as poultry and pork, are also rich in lysine. Some other foods to include in the diet that contain sufficient amounts of lysine are:

* Nuts - Some nuts contain not only lysine but arginine, too. If you are taking lysine to prevent herpes simplex, this is okay as long as there is more lysine than arginine.

* Cheese - Parmesan is a primary source.

* Eggs

* Soybeans - Tofu is an excellent source of lysine along with foods containing defatted soybean flour and isolated soy protein.

* Fish - Not all fish have high amounts of lysine, but sardines and cod are good choices.

* Dairy products, fenugreek seeds, brewer's yeast

How we eat has a great deal to do with how any virus lives within our bodies. Maintaining a diet that is high in lysine is a good way to actively fight against viral infections. A lysine rich diet is one of the best things you can do to reduce the severity and frequency of herpes infections. In addition to food sources for lysine, many people believe in also taking lysine supplements daily.