Kimchi Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish that is made from fermented vegetables, mainly cabbage and radishes, with chili pepper and other spices.Kimchi is high in fiber, vitamins, and probiotics. It may help improve digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation. However, it is also high in sodium.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimchi | 27.73mg | 45.4mg | 0.61 |
Kimchi contains 27.73mg of Lysine and 45.4mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Kimchi has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.61.
Because Kimchi 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
Kimchi contains a small amount of lysine, an essential amino acid that is important for protein synthesis, collagen formation, and calcium absorption.
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 stunting 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
Kimchi also contains a small amount of arginine, another essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, wound healing, and immune function.
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
Kimchi has a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means that it provides more arginine than lysine.
This may not be ideal for people with viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, as arginine may stimulate the replication of the virus.
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 and cheese, 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
Most vegetables are low in in calories and a decent source of in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Many vegetables have more lysine than arginine, such as beets, turnips, tomatoes, soybean sprouts, potatoes, celery, sweet potatoes, squash, and green beans.
These vegetables can help prevent or treat herpes outbreaks, as lysine can suppress the herpes virus.
Other vegetables have more arginine than lysine, such as peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms.
These vegetables can still be consumed in moderation, as they have other health benefits.
For instance:
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.
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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