Lettuce, Romaine Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Lettuce, romaine is a type of lettuce that has long, crisp, and dark green leaves. It is often used in salads, sandwiches, and wraps.Lettuce, romaine is low in calories, but high in water, vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate.
It also contains some antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, Romaine | 103.57mg | 89.29mg | 1.16 |
Lettuce, Romaine contains 103.57mg of Lysine and 89.29mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Lettuce, Romaine has a neutral Lysine-Arginine ratio of 1.16.
Because Lettuce, Romaine has a neutral ratio of lysine and arginine, it does not have a significant impact on people who suffer from herpes, as it does not affect the viral activity.
Lysine Considerations
Lettuce, romaine is a good source of lysine, as it provides about 21% of the RDI per 100 grams.
Lysine is an essential amino acid that is important for collagen synthesis, immune function, and calcium absorption.
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 multiple 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
Lettuce, romaine is a low source of arginine, as it provides only about 7% of the RDI per 100 grams.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, wound healing, and urea cycle.
Arginine can enhance your health and performance, such as lowering your blood pressure, healing your wounds, and boosting your exercise endurance.
Arginine can be made by the human system or obtained from foods like meat, dairy, nuts, and soy.
Unfortunately, the herpes virus is known to "feed" on arginine, and having a diet higher in arginine than lysine may increase the occurrence and severity of cold sores and herpes outbreaks.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Lettuce, romaine has a high lysine-arginine ratio, which means that it may be beneficial for people who have herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
HSV requires arginine for replication, and lysine may inhibit its growth.
Therefore, foods with a high lysine-arginine ratio may help prevent or reduce HSV outbreaks.
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 prevent 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, 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
Most vegetables are poor 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:
Eating a balanced and nutritious diet that supports your immune system and reduces inflammation.
This means consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, and avoiding processed foods, added sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.
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.
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.
Try eating foods that can enhance your immune system and reduce inflammation to avoid outbreaks.
Some of these foods are honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
They can also help you with your symptoms by easing pain, swelling, and itching, and accelerating your recovery.
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