- *MSRP:
$25.99- Our Price:
- $20.80
- Buy: at $20.80
- UPC: 733739002402
- # N0240
Product Overview & Quick Specs
Think of essential amino acids as the primary bricks your body cannot manufacture on its own. L-Lysine (chemical formula: C6H14N2O2) acts like a high-strength cross-bolt that locks collagen fibers together and reinforces daily immune defenses [1, 2]. NOW® L-Lysine Powder delivers pure, pharmaceutical-grade amino acid crystals with zero fillers or binders, supporting skin elasticity, collagen synthesis, and mucosal tissue integrity [1, 3].
Quick Specs Snapshot
- ✓ Active Form & Potency: 435 mg of pure L-Lysine (from 552 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride) per 1/4 level teaspoon scoop.
- ✓ Primary Target: Connective tissue cross-linking, intestinal calcium absorption, and balanced cellular arginine-to-lysine ratios [1, 2, 3].
- ✓ Supply & Value: Approximately 822 servings per container, delivering more than two years of daily structural support for just pennies a day.
- ✓ Purity & Dietary Status: 100% pure vegan powder with zero excipients, 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: Pure Powder vs. Tablets and Cheap Alternatives
Free-base lysine is unstable and pulls humidity straight out of the atmosphere. To guarantee maximum shelf stability and rapid assimilation, NOW binds pure L-Lysine to USP-grade hydrochloric acid to create L-Lysine Hydrochloride (HCl). This stable crystalline salt shields the amino acid from degradation and dissolves instantly in liquids.
Many commodity big box store brands sell tablets loaded with synthetic adhesives, chemical glazes, and flow lubricants that slow down digestion. Other bulk powders from unverified sources frequently test high for heavy metals and industrial impurities. In contrast, NOW L-Lysine Powder contains literally nothing else: zero flow agents, zero coatings, and zero synthetic binders.
Is This Formula Right for You?
Best Choice For:
- ✓ Individuals who experience difficulty swallowing large tablets or capsules and want an effortless liquid-mixable option.
- ✓ Shoppers who want total micro-dosing flexibility to adjust daily intake between baseline maintenance and elevated seasonal defense [3, 4].
- ✓ Budget-conscious families seeking unmatched value with over 800 full servings in a single, high-purity container.
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗ You prefer pre-measured, portable pills for travel or work without measuring spoons.
- ✗ You dislike the naturally mild, slightly salty and tart flavor profile of unflavored pure amino acid salts.
How It Works in the Body
1. The High-Tensile Structural Bolt (Collagen Cross-Linking)
Think of collagen strands like steel cables holding up a suspension bridge. Without cross-bolts, cables pull apart under tension. Inside your body, L-Lysine acts like those high-tensile steel bolts [1]. Specific enzymes (lysyl hydroxylase and lysyl oxidase) convert lysine residues into reactive aldehydes [1]. These molecules create durable cross-links that bond collagen triple-helices together into resilient skin, blood vessels, and joint cartilage [1].
2. The Crowded Revolving Door (Competitive Arginine Antagonism)
Think of cellular amino acid uptake like passengers squeezing through a single revolving door (the cationic amino acid transporter, system y+). Both L-Lysine and L-Arginine share this exact entryway [3, 4]. Elevating circulating levels of L-Lysine floods the doorway, blocking L-Arginine from getting inside [3, 4]. Because certain cellular invaders require host arginine to reproduce, maintaining an optimal lysine ratio preserves lip and mucosal tissue resilience [3, 4].
3. The Cargo Tie-Down (Intestinal Calcium Retention)
Think of calcium (Ca2+) like precious cargo moving down a busy shipping canal. L-Lysine acts like a cargo strap that prevents essential minerals from slipping overboard [2]. Clinical studies reveal that supplemental L-Lysine increases calcium absorption across the intestinal wall while simultaneously curbing urinary mineral excretion [2]. This dual action supports mineral balance and long-term bone density [2].
Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines
Best Time to Take & Liquid Pairing
Take 1/4 level teaspoon daily, mixed into water (chemical formula: H2O) or fresh juice between meals or on an empty stomach. Dietary protein contains dozens of competing amino acids that crowd intestinal pathways [3]. Drinking your dissolved lysine 30 to 45 minutes prior to eating ensures rapid, direct transport into your circulation.
Daily Schedule: Morning vs. Evening
For daily baseline wellness, stir 1/4 teaspoon into a glass of morning water. During periods of heightened physical or immune stress, divide your intake into two servings: one serving in the morning and a second serving in the late afternoon or evening [3, 4]. Dividing doses sustains elevated plasma amino acid levels around the clock.
Smart Pairings & Separation Rules
- ✓ Synergistic Co-Factors: 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 promotes epithelial renewal [1].
- ✗ Crucial 2-Hour Spacing Window: Separate your serving by at least 2 hours from high-arginine foods (dark chocolate, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds) or arginine supplements to avoid neutralizing lysine uptake [3, 4].
What to Expect Over Time
Days 1–7: Instant aqueous dissolution delivers fast intestinal uptake, elevating plasma lysine. Competitive cellular transport begins, balancing systemic amino acid pools [3, 4].
Weeks 3–4: Consistent tissue saturation builds a resilient defense barrier. Customers note strengthened lip tissue integrity, enhanced skin hydration, and smooth digestive comfort [2, 3].
Months 2–3+: Cumulative collagen cross-linking supports skin elasticity, tendon flexibility, bone mineral balance, and long-term immune stability [1, 2].
Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients
Format & Ease of Mixing
NOW L-Lysine Powder consists of fine, pharmaceutical-grade crystalline granules. Because it contains zero heavy tableting starches or encapsulation shells, it dissolves easily into room-temperature water, citrus juice, or smoothies with just a quick stir. It eliminates swallowing difficulties entirely.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color
Pure L-Lysine HCl carries a naturally mild, slightly salty and tart flavor characteristic of pure amino acid salts. It is virtually odorless. Mixing it into citrus water or unsweetened tart cherry juice masks its flavor completely. Because NOW uses no chemical bleaching agents or dyes, subtle natural color variation from sparkling white to soft off-white may occur between production runs.
Other Ingredients Explained
Other Ingredients: None. This formula is 100% pure active ingredient. There are zero added flow agents, zero silicon dioxides, zero magnesium stearates, zero preservatives, and zero animal products.
Proper Storage & Handling
This product is sold by weight, not volume. Free-form amino acid crystals naturally attract moisture from the air. Keep the freshness packet inside the bottle and never discard it until empty. Screw the cap down firmly after every scoop, and store the container in a cool, dry pantry away from steam or heat.
Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards
Raw material verification is vital when buying pure bulk amino acids. Marketplace investigations regularly reveal that generic discount brands and big box retailers source low-grade industrial materials laden with unlisted fillers, degraded active potency, or toxic heavy metals. NOW Foods protects your health through one of the most rigorous in-house quality control programs in North America[cite: 5, 8]:
- ✓ In-House ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratories: NOW maintains over 40,000 square feet of private analytical testing laboratories formally accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards, validating scientific competency and measurement precision[cite: 7, 8].
- ✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Testing (Parts-Per-Billion Precision): Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), raw powders are screened for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury to beat strict USP <2232> and California Proposition 65 thresholds[cite: 6, 8].
- ✓ HPLC Molecular Identification & Potency Verification: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) verifies that every gram delivers 100% pure L-enantiomer active lysine, confirming zero non-protein nitrogen adulteration or inactive D-isomers[cite: 5, 6].
- ✓ Microbiological Pathogen Bio-Screening: Automated testing ensures the complete absence of harmful bacteria, including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict yeast and mold parameters[cite: 5, 6].
- ✓ Audited cGMP Compliance: Facilities are independently audited and certified by UL Solutions, maintaining an "A-rated" Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) registration through the Natural Products Association (NPA)[cite: 5, 6].
Complete Supplement Facts & Label Verification
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1/4 Level Teaspoon (approx. 552 mg)
Servings Per Container: about 822
| Description | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
|
L-Lysine (from 552 mg L-Lysine Hydrochloride) |
435 mg | ** |
** Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: None.
Allergen Declaration: 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 Notes: Do not eat freshness packet enclosed. NOW® L-Lysine is a Pharmaceutical Grade essential amino acid. Natural color variation may occur in this product. This product is sold by weight not volume. Packaged and quality tested in the USA. Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Family owned since 1968.