Can I open the vegetarian capsule and mix the powder into a drink?

Yes. You can gently pull apart the vegetarian capsule and stir the fine white powder into cool water, applesauce, or fruit juice. Pure L-Lysine HCl has a mildly salty, slightly tart flavor that dissolves smoothly. Avoid mixing it into hot or boiling drinks, as excessive heat can degrade delicate amino acid bonds.

Should I take NOW L-Lysine 500 mg with meals or on an empty stomach?

For the best absorption, take this capsule between meals or on an empty stomach with an 8 oz glass of water. Protein-dense foods contain competing amino acids that crowd intestinal transport pathways. Taking your dose 30 to 45 minutes before meals guarantees quick, unobstructed entry into your bloodstream.

Why does each capsule contain 637 mg of L-Lysine Hydrochloride to provide 500 mg of L-Lysine?

Pure free-base lysine is unstable and breaks down rapidly when exposed to humidity. Binding lysine to USP-grade hydrochloride creates a stable, shelf-ready compound. The hydrochloride portion contributes 137 mg of molecular weight, yielding exactly 500 mg of active elemental L-Lysine for your body to utilize.

Can I take L-Lysine alongside Vitamin C or my daily multivitamin?

Yes, Vitamin C is an ideal nutrient partner for L-Lysine. Vitamin C acts as an essential enzymatic co-factor for lysyl hydroxylase, the enzyme that weaves collagen cross-links to form resilient connective tissues. Taking them together provides synergistic support for structural repair and daily immune defense.

Will taking an L-Lysine capsule break an intermittent fast?

No. A single 500 mg vegetarian capsule contains negligible calories and zero grams of sugar, carbohydrates, or fat. When swallowed with plain water during your fasting window, it will not trigger an insulin spike or interrupt metabolic autophagy, keeping your fast completely intact.

LYSINE 500mg - 100 CAPS

by NOW FOODS

*MSRP:: ~~$11.99~~
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UPC: 733739001108: # N0110

Product Overview & Quick Specs

Think of essential amino acids as foundational building blocks your body cannot make on its own. L-Lysine (chemical formula: C₆H₁₄N₂O₂) acts like a high-strength cross-bolt that anchors collagen fibers together and reinforces immune balance [1, 2]. NOW® L-Lysine 500 mg delivers pharmaceutical-grade amino acid support in easy-to-swallow vegetarian capsules to support skin elasticity, collagen synthesis, and mucosal tissue integrity [1, 3].

Quick Specs Snapshot

✓ Active Form & Potency: 500 mg of pure L-Lysine (from 637 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride) per single vegetarian capsule.
✓ Primary Target: Collagen fibril cross-linking, intestinal calcium absorption, and balanced cellular arginine-to-lysine ratios [1, 2, 3].
✓ Supply & Value: 100 vegetarian capsules provide over 3 months of daily structural support at an exceptional per-serving value.
✓ Purity & Dietary Status: 100% vegan formulation, non-GMO, and free of wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, and sesame ingredients.

Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison

Why the Form Matters: L-Lysine Hydrochloride vs. Cheap Alternatives

Free-form base lysine is chemically unstable and attracts moisture directly from the air. To ensure shelf stability and reliable cellular uptake, NOW binds pure L-Lysine to USP-grade hydrochloric acid to create L-Lysine Hydrochloride (HCl). This stable mineral salt shields the amino acid from humidity and breaks down cleanly in stomach acid.

Discount big box store brands often cut corners by using unpurified raw materials packed with synthetic binders, chemical glazes, and heavy metal contaminants. In contrast, NOW uses pure pharmaceutical-grade raw materials encased in clean plant cellulose, ensuring rapid gastric dissolution without harsh synthetic additives.

Is This Formula Right for You?

Best Choice For:

✓ Shoppers seeking targeted nutritional reinforcement for lip, skin, and mucosal tissue integrity [3, 4].
✓ Adults looking for flexible 500 mg dosing in small, easy-to-swallow vegetarian capsules rather than oversized tablets [1, 2].
✓ Individuals looking to promote natural collagen renewal and healthy bone mineral retention [1, 2].

Consider Another Option If:

✗ You prefer an all-in-one 1,000 mg tablet to take fewer total pills each day.
✗ You prefer bulk unflavored powder to mix directly into large post-workout shakes.

VitaNet®, LLC Store Guarantee: Backed by our 31-year reputation, every order is protected by our unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—even on opened bottles—allowing you to evaluate your personal digestive tolerance risk-free.

How It Works in the Body

1. The High-Tensile Structural Bolt (Collagen Cross-Linking)

Think of collagen strands like steel cables supporting a suspension bridge. Without cross-bolts, cables pull apart and fray under stress. Inside your tissues, L-Lysine acts like those heavy-duty steel bolts [1]. Specialized enzymes (lysyl hydroxylase and lysyl oxidase) convert lysine residues into reactive aldehydes [1]. These reactive compounds form stable covalent bonds that link collagen fibers into resilient skin, cartilage, and blood vessels [1].

2. The Crowded Revolving Door (Arginine Antagonism)

Think of cellular amino acid uptake like passengers competing to enter a single revolving door (the cationic amino acid transporter, system y⁺). Both L-Lysine and L-Arginine share this exact entry path [3, 4]. Elevating circulating levels of L-Lysine fills the doorway and limits L-Arginine entry [3, 4]. Maintaining a dominant lysine-to-arginine ratio preserves cellular harmony and supports lip tissue resilience [3, 4].

3. The Mineral Cargo Strap (Calcium Retention)

Think of calcium (Ca²⁺) like precious cargo travelling along a busy shipping route. L-Lysine functions like a secure cargo strap that stops mineral freight from slipping away [2]. Human clinical research demonstrates that supplemental L-Lysine enhances intestinal calcium absorption and reduces urinary mineral loss [2]. This dual action supports balanced mineral reserves and healthy bone matrix density [2].

Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines

Best Time to Take & Meal Pairing

Take 1 veg capsule 1 to 3 times daily, ideally between meals or on an empty stomach with an 8 oz glass of pure water (chemical formula: H₂O). Whole-food dietary proteins carry competing amino acids that crowd intestinal transport channels [3]. Taking your capsule 30 to 45 minutes before meals ensures fast, unobstructed absorption into circulation. If you experience mild stomach sensitivity, take it alongside a light piece of fruit.

Daily Schedule: Morning vs. Evening

For baseline structural wellness, take 1 capsule first thing in the morning with a full glass of water. During times of heightened physiological stress, split your intake throughout the day: take 1 capsule upon waking and 1 capsule in the late afternoon or before bedtime [3, 4]. Spacing your capsules sustains elevated plasma lysine levels around the clock.

Smart Pairings & Spacing Rules

✓ Synergistic Partners: Pair with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Zinc. Vitamin C serves as an indispensable co-factor for the enzymes that weave collagen cross-links, while Zinc aids tissue repair [1].
✗ Crucial 2-Hour Spacing Window: Separate your capsule by at least 2 hours from high-arginine foods (such as dark chocolate, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds) or pre-workout arginine supplements to avoid neutralizing lysine uptake [3, 4].

What to Expect Over Time

Days 1–7: Rapid digestive absorption elevates circulating plasma lysine concentrations. Competitive transport begins, shifting systemic amino acid ratios away from free arginine [3, 4].

Weeks 3–4: Consistent tissue saturation builds a steady cellular defense. Users experience reinforced lip tissue resilience, skin hydration support, and excellent digestive comfort [2, 3].

Months 2–3+: Cumulative collagen cross-linking supports skin firmness, joint connective tissue strength, bone mineral balance, and sustained immune defense [1, 2].

Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients

Pill Format & Ease of Use

NOW L-Lysine 500 mg is encapsulated in two-piece vegetarian capsules (Size "0", approximately 21 mm in length). The sleek plant cellulose shell glides easily down the throat with water, avoiding the throat drag common with large, chalky tablets. If you dislike swallowing pills, gently twist the capsule apart and blend the fine white powder into cool water, applesauce, or fresh juice.

Natural Aroma, Taste & Color

Swallowed whole, the capsule has no noticeable taste or scent. When opened, pure L-Lysine HCl exhibits a clean, mildly salty and slightly acidic amino acid taste. Because NOW never uses artificial colorings, coatings, or bleaches, natural color variation from pure white to slight off-white may occur between production batches.

Other Ingredients Explained

Every non-active excipient on the label serves an exact, functional manufacturing role with zero hidden synthetic fillers:

✓ Hypromellose (cellulose capsule): A 100% plant-based capsule shell derived from natural softwood fibers that dissolves rapidly in stomach fluids without animal gelatin.
✓ Stearic Acid (vegetable source): A natural plant fatty acid that lubricates encapsulation machinery, ensuring uniform powder flow and accurate capsule weights.
✓ Microcrystalline Cellulose: Clean, purified plant fiber used to provide consistent volume inside each capsule without synthetic binders.
✓ Rice Flour: An inert, hypoallergenic grain powder used to maintain smooth powder flow during high-speed encapsulation.

Proper Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Free-form amino acids naturally attract airborne humidity. Keep the safety cap twisted tightly after every use, and avoid storing your bottle in steamy bathrooms or beside heat-producing kitchen appliances.

Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards

Raw material verification is vital when choosing daily supplements. Independent consumer testing frequently reveals that commodity big box store supplements contain unlisted fillers, degraded active ingredients, or elevated heavy metals. NOW Foods operates one of the most sophisticated private quality-assurance facilities in North America, performing over 16,000 lab tests every month:

✓ In-House ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratories: NOW maintains private on-site analytical laboratories formally accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards, validating testing precision and scientific competence.
✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Testing (Parts-Per-Billion Precision): Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), raw powders and finished capsules are tested for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury to surpass strict USP standards.
✓ HPLC Molecular Identification & Potency Verification: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) verifies that every capsule contains 100% pure L-enantiomer active lysine, confirming zero chemical adulteration or inactive D-isomers.
✓ Microbiological Pathogen Bio-Screening: Automated testing ensures the complete absence of harmful microorganisms, including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict yeast and mold counts.
✓ Audited cGMP Manufacturing & Eco-Packaging: Facilities are independently audited and certified by UL Solutions, maintaining an "A-rated" Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) certification through the Natural Products Association (NPA). Each bottle is crafted from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin to reduce plastic waste.

Complete Supplement Facts & Label Verification

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule

Servings Per Container: 100

Description	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
L-Lysine (from 637 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride)	500 mg	**

** Daily Value not established.

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Microcrystalline Cellulose and Rice Flour.

Allergen Notice: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.

Product Details: NOW® L-Lysine is a pharmaceutical grade essential amino acid. Natural color variation may occur in this product. Packaged and quality tested in the USA. Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Family owned since 1968. This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.