ID 453 - Lizyna

PL: Lizyna
EN: Essential amino acids: lysine
Pdf: L-lysine

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is L-lysine.
Lysine is an indispensable alpha-amino acid which occurs naturally in foods mainly as part of proteins, and is provided by mixed dietary protein intakes from different sources. Lysine can also be consumed in the form of food supplements as L-lysine. The content of L-lysine in foods can be measured by established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, L-lysine, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Odporność organizmu na wirus opryszczki (ID 453)

The claimed effect is “for immune systems functions”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to “proper functioning of the immune system, by production of antibodies that are necessary for warding off infections”, which could be interpreted from the references provided as immune defence against herpes virus.
The Panel considers that immune defence against herpes virus is a beneficial physiological effect.

3.1. Odporność organizmu na wirus opryszczki (ID 453)

Among the references submitted for the scientific substantiation of the claim were two references to textbooks, a consensus opinion on protein and amino acid requirements, a study on lysine- supplemented wheat on growth of pre-school children, two case reports on lysine-ascorbate and angina pectoris, and on the use of ascorbic acid, amino acids, lysine and other substances in lowering lipoprotein(a), and one publication addressing the potential effect of dietary lysine on calcium metabolism in humans. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
Two human intervention studies were also cited. One study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial which investigated the effects of L-lysine monohydrochloride consumed orally on the prevention and treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (Griffith et al., 1987). The Panel notes that this human study did not address the effect of L-lysine on changes in relevant immunological parameters, and considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The other was a multicentre, one arm, open label intervention study on the effects of lysine on the incidence of herpes infections in patients with frequently recurring herpes infection (Griffith et al., 1978). The Panel notes that no conclusions can be drawn from this uncontrolled study for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-lysine and immune defence against herpes virus.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

50 - 500 mg, in general for groups with insufficient intake of animal proteins