Elderberries Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Elderberries are small, dark berries that are usually cooked and used in syrups, jams, wines, and teas.Elderberries are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain potassium and vitamin B6.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elderberries | 26mg | 47mg | 0.6 |
Elderberries contains 26mg of Lysine and 47mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Elderberries has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.6.
Because Elderberries 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
Elderberries are a somewhat low source of lysine, providing less than 1% of the RDI per 100 grams.
It is one of the nine amino acids that your body cannot make by itself, so it has to come from the food we eat.
Lysine has a variety of functions in the body, such as helping with growth, healing, energy, immunity, and collagen production.
Lysine may also have some effects on the herpes virus, which causes cold sores and genital sores.
Studies have suggested that taking lysine supplements or applying lysine cream may help prevent or treat these infections by blocking the amino acid arginine, which the virus needs to grow.
Arginine Considerations
Elderberries are a moderate source of arginine, providing about 2% of the RDI per 100 grams.
Arginine has different 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 a decent source of arginine, such as nuts and chocolate, may increase the frequency and severity of these outbreaks.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Elderberries have a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means they have more arginine relative to lysine.
This may be beneficial for people with certain health conditions, such as heart disease, but may trigger outbreaks and cold sores flareups in individuals who suffer from the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
The herpes simplex virus, which causes oral and genital herpes, needs arginine to multiply and infect cells.
Lysine, on the other hand, can interfere with the absorption of arginine in the intestine, and thus limit the availability of arginine for the virus.
By eating a diet higher in lysine than arginine, one may be able to prevent or treat herpes flare-ups.
Foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio include dairy, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can supply the body with sufficient 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 stunt or relieve 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:
A well-balanced and healthy diet that strengthens your immune system and lowers inflammation is important.
This means you should eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats, and avoid processed foods, added sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine which can overstimulate your body, leave you dehydrated, and compromise your immune system.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.
To prevent outbreaks, avoid foods that can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, or shellfish.
These foods can harm your immune system and make inflammation worse.
Pain, swelling, and itching can be reduced by eating foods that have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, such as honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
These foods can also help you heal faster by promoting tissue repair.
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