Hickory Nuts Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Hickory nuts are the edible nuts of the hickory tree, which belongs to the walnut family.They have a hard shell and a sweet, buttery flavor.
Hickory nuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, magnesium, manganese, and zinc.
They may help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory Nuts | 33mg | 211mg | 0.156 |
Hickory Nuts contains 33mg of Lysine and 211mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Hickory Nuts has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.156.
Because Hickory Nuts contains much higher levels of arginine than lysine, limiting its consumption is recommended by people who suffer from herpes, as it may trigger outbreaks.
Lysine Considerations
Hickory nuts are a moderate source of lysine, an essential amino acid that plays a role in collagen synthesis, wound healing, and immune function.
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 different high-protein foods such as eggs, dairy products, fish, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Hickory nuts are a high source of arginine, another essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, blood vessel dilation, and muscle growth.
Arginine has multiple benefits for our 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
Hickory nuts have a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means they have more arginine than lysine.
This may be beneficial for people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or erectile dysfunction, but it may be harmful for people with herpes virus infections, as arginine can trigger or worsen outbreaks.
Both lysine and arginine are important for protein synthesis and other bodily functions.
The two compounds can affect the herpes simplex virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital herpes, in opposite ways.
Lysine can your body or stop the virus from reproducing, while arginine can help it propagate.
Eating foods with a high lysine-arginine ratio could help lower the appearance and severity of herpes flare ups.
Some foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio are milk, cheese and yogurt, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can give the body enough lysine to prevent the virus from taking up arginine, and thus stop its growth and spread.
Dietary Considerations
Nuts are generally rich in arginine and somewhat low in lysine, which makes them unfavorable for people with herpes.
Arginine can stimulate the replication of the herpes virus, while lysine can inhibit it.
Nuts that have the highest arginine to lysine ratio include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts.
These nuts should be avoided or consumed in moderation by people with herpes.
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.
Avoiding foods that can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities, such as gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, or shellfish.
These foods can trigger inflammation and weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to outbreaks.
Foods that can boost your immunity and fight inflammation are essential to prevent outbreaks.
Honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile are some examples of these foods.
They can also soothe your symptoms and help you recover quicker by reducing pain, swelling, and itching.
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