Lysine is an essential amino acid, and it cannot be synthesized by the human body. It makes up one of the components of the collective term protein. The human body is roughly 16 percent protein. Protein plays an essential role in every cell of our body.
There are 20 amino acids used by the human body and eight of them cannot be synthesized. Lysine is one of those that must be acquired by diet. Lysine is manufactured by plants and microorganisms. Lysine can be found in high concentrations in the following foods: red meat, lamb, pork, poultry, soybeans, black beans, green beans, kidney beans, navy beans, and snap beans.