Hummus Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Hummus is a creamy, smooth dip that is made from cooked and mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.It has a nutty, tangy, and savory flavor and a thick texture. Hummus can be eaten as a snack, spread, or sauce, and can be flavored with various herbs and spices.
Hummus is high in protein, fiber, iron, folate, and antioxidants.
It may also help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Hummus is also low in saturated fat and sodium, making it a healthy choice for heart health.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hummus | 290mg | 750mg | 0.387 |
Hummus contains 290mg of Lysine and 750mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Hummus has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.387.
Because Hummus 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
Hummus has a low amount of lysine, which is not enough to meet your daily needs.
Lysine is essential for protein synthesis, tissue repair, and immune function.
Lysine is also involved in the production of collagen, a protein that supports the skin, bones, and joints.
Lysine is essential for human health, and must be obtained from the diet or supplements.
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 multiple high-protein foods like milk, cheese and yogurt, fish, eggs, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Hummus has a high amount of arginine, which is more than twice as much as lysine.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that is involved in various metabolic processes, such as nitric oxide synthesis, urea cycle, and wound healing.
Arginine also plays a role in blood pressure regulation, immune response, and sexual function.
Arginine is semi-essential for human health, and can be synthesized by the body under normal conditions.
However, some situations may increase the need for arginine, such as stress, injury, or infection.
Arginine has many 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
Hummus has a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means it has more arginine than lysine.
This may affect the balance of these amino acids in the body, and may have implications for viral infections, such as HSV.
Some studies suggest that a low lysine-arginine ratio may cause or worsen HSV outbreaks, as the virus needs arginine to multiply.
A high ratio may prevent or treat them, and a moderate ratio may have a neutral effect.
Both lysine and arginine play crucial roles in protein synthesis and other metabolic activities.
Interestingly, they have contrasting effects on the herpes simplex virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital herpes.
Lysine can inhibit the virus's ability to replicate, while arginine can promote it.
Consequently, consuming foods with a high lysine to arginine ratio may help decrease the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks.
Foods with a high lysine-arginine ratio include dairy products products, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can supply the body with sufficient lysine to block the virus's absorption of arginine, thereby preventing its growth and spread.
Dietary Considerations
Legumes are plant-based foods that are rich in 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.L-lysine supplementscan help you prevent herpes outbreaks and stop a cold sore before it develops by depriving the virus of arginine, which it needs to form a cold sore.
Taking other food supplements that can improve your immunity and protect your cells from oxidative stress, such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants.
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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