Falafel Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Falafel, a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both, is a traditional Middle Eastern food.Falafel, being a legume-based food, is a good source of lysine.
Lysine is an essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis, collagen formation, and immune function.
Consuming falafel can contribute to your daily lysine intake, especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falafel | 856mg | 1280mg | 0.67 |
Falafel contains 856mg of Lysine and 1280mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Falafel has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.67.
Because Falafel 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
Falafel has 856mg of lysine per 100g. While this isn’t a significant amount, it can still contribute to your daily lysine intake.
Lysine has the potential to prevent or treat cold sores, which are blisters caused by the HSV-1 virus, also known as herpes.
Lysine operates by working against the proliferation of HSV-1, which relies on another amino acid, arginine, to reproduce and infect cells.
Lysine can only be acquired through our diet, and is present in many high-protein foods such as eggs, dairy, fish, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Falafel has 1280mg of arginine per 100g. This is a high amount, and could potentially increase your arginine intake significantly if you eat large quantities of falafel.
Arginine has many benefits for our wellbeing 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
The lysine-arginine ratio in falafel is less than 1, indicating a higher arginine content.
This could potentially trigger herpes outbreaks in those with the virus, as some studies suggest that arginine can exacerbate symptoms.
Lysine and arginine are both amino acids that are involved in protein synthesis and other metabolic processes.
That said, they have opposite effects on the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Lysine can slow down the replication of the virus, while arginine can stimulate it.
Because of this, eating foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio may help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes symptoms.
Some examples of foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio are dairy products, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can provide the body with enough lysine to block the absorption of arginine by the virus, and thus prevent its growth and spread.
Dietary Considerations
Legumes are plant-based foods that are a good source of protein, fiber, and minerals.
Legumes also contain lysine and arginine, but the amount varies depending on the type of legume.
Soy-based products, such as tofu, tempeh, soybeans, and soy milk, have more lysine than arginine, which makes them suitable for people with herpes.
Other legumes, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas, have more arginine than lysine, which makes them less favorable.
These legumes can still be consumed in moderation, as they have other health benefits.
For example:
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.
Your immune system can be weakened and inflammation can be increased by foods that can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, or shellfish.
Avoid these foods to avoid outbreaks.
Eating foods that can soothe your symptoms and speed up your healing process, such as honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
These foods have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that can reduce pain, swelling, and itching, and promote tissue repair.
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