Chicken Gumbo Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Chicken gumbo is a spicy and hearty soup that originated in Louisiana, USA.It is made with chicken, sausage, okra, rice, and a roux-based broth.
It is often seasoned with bay leaves, thyme, cayenne pepper, and filé powder.
Chicken gumbo is a good source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate. It also contains some iron, calcium, and magnesium. However, it is high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, especially if the sausage is not lean or if it is cooked with salt or sauces.
It may also contain allergens, such as gluten, shellfish, or nuts, depending on the ingredients used.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Gumbo | 66.07mg | 50mg | 1.32 |
Chicken Gumbo contains 66.07mg of Lysine and 50mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Chicken Gumbo has a high Lysine-Arginine ratio of 1.32.
Because Chicken Gumbo contains slightly more lysine than arginine, increasing its consumption may benefit people who suffer from herpes, as it may boost the immune system.
Lysine Considerations
Chicken gumbo has a moderate amount of lysine, which is an essential amino acid that is involved in protein synthesis, collagen formation, and calcium absorption.
Lysine is important for the growth and maintenance of tissues, bones, and skin.
Lysine can help prevent or treat cold sores, which are blisters caused by the virus HSV-1, also known as herpes.
Lysine works by blocking the growth of HSV-1, which needs another amino acid called arginine to multiply and infect cells.
Lysine can only be obtained through diet, and can be found in different high-protein foods like dairy, fish, eggs, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Chicken gumbo has a low amount of arginine, which is a semi-essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, wound healing, and immune function.
Arginine may improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and enhance exercise performance.
Arginine has many benefits for our overall health and performance, such as lowering blood pressure, enhancing wound healing, and increasing exercise endurance.
Arginine can also affect the herpes virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Studies suggest that arginine may help the virus grow and cause outbreaks, so people with herpes may want to avoid foods that are high in arginine or take lysine supplements to block its effects.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Chicken gumbo has a high lysine-arginine ratio, which means that it has more lysine than arginine.
This may be beneficial for people who suffer from herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, as lysine may inhibit the replication of the virus, while arginine may stimulate it.
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 outbreaks.
Foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio include dairy 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
Soups and broths can be made from different types of proteins and vegetables, such as chicken soup, vegetable soup, or tomato soup.
Soup is generally healthy and a good source of lysine, especially if it contains poultry or seafood, which are abundant in lysine and scarce in arginine.
That said, some soups may have a higher arginine content if they are made with mainly grains and cereals, such as corn, barley, or rice.
These ingredients can increase the arginine-lysine ratio in the soup and make it less beneficial for people with herpes.
Because of this, soups should be chosen carefully and preferably contain more lysine-rich foods than arginine-rich foods.
Curiously, chickens can contract a form of herpes known as Marek's disease.
Fortunately, this virus is exclusive to chickens and does not cross species to humans.
This means that you can eat chicken and poultry without any concerns about herpes transmission.
For example:
Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and eliminate toxins from your body.
Water can also help you avoid dryness and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, which can lead to outbreaks.
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.
Other food supplements, such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants, can help you boost your immunity and protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Try eating foods that can enhance your immune system and reduce inflammation to avoid outbreaks.
Some of these foods are honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
They can also help you with your symptoms by easing pain, swelling, and itching, and accelerating your recovery.
Check more food information
