And again, I defend my stance. Lysine deficiencies can result in lowered immune function. Period. Even if it only helps combat the herpes virus (as opposed to FeLV), it is STILL AN IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER! And keeping the immune system boosted is of utmost importance in keeping the FeLV virus from kicking in. That is why we say a great diet and a stress-free environment are the two most important things in keeping FeLV+ kitties healthy, because those things help the immune system stay strong. The quote you sent says specificially that even though it helps control the herpes virus, they believe lysine has no effect on the immune system and no effect on other pathogens AS FAR AS THEY KNOW. Which means they don't know for sure it does not. Lysine is an essential amino acid that the human body needs (not sure about the feline body, but I'm betting yes), yet cannot make it on it's own. It must come from food/external sources. Lysine helps to form and maintain muscle, bone, and other tissues. Often, the FeLV virus manifests itself in the bone marrow, which we all know is when the disease causes fatal problems, such as lymphoma and anemia. While I am no doctor or scientist, given this knowledge, it's still common sense to me that an amino acid that aids in maintaining bone and tissue would be beneficial to fighting FeLV when you consider the implications on the bone marrow. I don't think there are enough/any studies done to say that lysine does not directly combat the FeLV virus/virus replication. If there are, could you kindly post those studies MC? And a moratorium on the sarcasm would also be appreciated by me especially. Respectfully, Wendy
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ ----- Original Message ---- From: MaryChristine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Saturday, August 2, 2008 5:08:45 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Supplements here's the direct quote from susan little, dvm, head of the Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org), "Lysine is only helpful for control of herpesvirus infections. Otherwise, it has no effect on the immune system and no effect against other pathogens as far as we know. It is herpesvirus- specific. And if you give arginine at the same time, you cancel out the effect of the lysine, so it would be totally pointless." ([EMAIL PROTECTED], message #92072, forgive me dr susan!) this was one of the many times she has repeated this; i've got the same thing repeated by a major cat rescuer/transporter in another place in my files, and if you go back in the archives you'll see that i and other have repeated this over and over again: LYSINE ONLY AFFECTS THE HERPES VIRUS. it's a marvelous thing, it trick the virus into not replicating, it's probably the only thing that i know that MDs and DOs and DDS and DVMs and practitioners of every other purrsuasion and specialty agree upon. we do no one any good when we repeat information without questioning it and finding out the details and veracity. please. MC
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