Cantaloupe Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Cantaloupe is a type of melon that has a round shape, a rough skin, and a sweet, orange flesh. It has a juicy, refreshing, and aromatic flavor.Cantaloupe is low in calories and high in water, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
It may help hydrate the body, boost immunity, prevent infections, and lower blood pressure.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe | 30mg | 51mg | 0.588 |
Cantaloupe contains 30mg of Lysine and 51mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Cantaloupe has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.588.
Because Cantaloupe contains slightly more arginine than lysine, reducing its consumption may help people who suffer from herpes, as it may lower the viral activity.
Lysine Considerations
Cantaloupe has a low amount of lysine, which is an essential amino acid that the body cannot make.
Lysine is important for protein synthesis, tissue repair, and immune function.
It's one of the nine amino acids that the body can't produce, so it must be included in our diet.
Lysine has many roles in the body, such as aiding in growth, healing, energy production, immune function, and the production of collagen.
Research indicates that lysine may have an impact on the herpes virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital sores.
Taking lysine supplements or using lysine cream could potentially prevent or treat these infections by working against the amino acid arginine, which the virus requires for growth.
Arginine Considerations
Cantaloupe has a higher amount of arginine, which is a semi-essential amino acid that the body can make from other amino acids.
Arginine is involved in nitric oxide production, which can relax blood vessels and improve circulation.
Arginine has a variety of functions in the body, including wound healing, helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body, and maintaining immune and hormone function.
Arginine also plays a role in the replication of the herpes virus, making it a key factor in cold sore outbreaks.
The herpes virus requires arginine to grow, replicate, and create new herpes viruses.
Foods rich in arginine, such as nuts and chocolate, may increase the frequency and severity of these outbreaks.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Cantaloupe has a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means it has more arginine than lysine.
This may be detrimental for people with herpes infections, as arginine can promote viral replication and worsen symptoms.
Both lysine and arginine are essential for protein synthesis and various other bodily functions.
They, however, have opposing effects on the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Lysine can inhibit the replication of the virus, whereas arginine can stimulate it.
Thus, a diet rich in foods with a high lysine to arginine ratio may help reduce the occurrence and severity of herpes flare ups.
Foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio include milk, cheese and yogurt products, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can provide the body with enough lysine to compete with arginine and inhibit the virus from replicating and causing flare ups.
Dietary Considerations
Fruits are generally high in natural sugars, water, and vitamin C.
Some fruits have more lysine than arginine, such as papaya, mango, apricot, apple, pear, fig, and avocado.
These fruits can help inhibit or lower herpes outbreaks, as lysine can counteract the effects of arginine.
Other fruits have more arginine than lysine, such as oranges, tangerines, grapes, bananas, strawberries, and kiwis.
These fruits can still be consumed in moderation, as they have other health benefits.
For example:
You may want to take l-lysine supplements.
L-lysine is known to prevent herpes outbreaks and it can help stop a cold sore in its initial stages by "starving" the virus of arginine before it has a chance to cause a cold sore.
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