nutrient
Lysine
A basic essential amino acid with a positively charged side chain.
Educational draft · Human scientific and editorial review pending. About review status
Lysine is supplied by dietary protein. Its side chain commonly carries a positive charge, and its carbon portion follows a ketogenic breakdown route.
How it works
Charge and carbon fate
Lysine’s terminal amino group contributes positive charge in proteins. During catabolism, its carbon portion follows a route that does not provide a net source of glucose.
Related topics
Lysine is used to build Protein
Lysine is one of the amino acids used to assemble proteins.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: NIH National Library of Medicine: Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids
Worth knowing
It is dietarily essential. Lysine is one of nine amino acids humans must obtain from food.
A closer look
It is one part of protein quality
Protein adequacy depends on the overall pattern of indispensable amino acids, so lysine is one component of a complete protein supply.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Essential Amino AcidsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Protein CatabolismChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Primary Protein StructureChecked 2026-09-05
- European Food Safety Authority (opens in new tab)Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for proteinChecked 2026-09-05
Take it into the kitchen
Explore this nutrient in simple meals. Recipe pages show estimated amounts and missing data.
Chicken corn tortilla fold · 20 min →
Pineapple cashew chicken pan · 25 min →
Coconut ginger chicken rice · 25 min →
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