Mango Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Mango is a tropical fruit that has a sweet and juicy flesh. It is usually eaten raw or used in salads, desserts, juices, and sauces.Mango is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and fiber. It also contains antioxidants, such as mangiferin, that may have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects.
Mango may cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those who are sensitive to urushiol, a compound found in poison ivy and poison oak.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | 28.33mg | 13mg | 2.18 |
Mango contains 28.33mg of Lysine and 13mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Mango has a very high Lysine-Arginine ratio of 2.18.
Because Mango contains much higher levels of lysine than arginine, it is highly recommended for people who suffer from herpes, as it may prevent outbreaks.
Lysine Considerations
Lysine is an essential amino acid that is important for protein synthesis, collagen formation, and immune function.
Mango is a low source of lysine, providing only about 3% of the RDI per 100 grams.
It is one of the nine amino acids that the body cannot make by itself, so it has to come from the food we eat.
Lysine has many 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
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, wound healing, and blood pressure regulation.
Mango is a low source of arginine, providing only about 1% of the RDI per 100 grams.
Arginine can improve your overall health and performance, such as lowering your blood pressure, healing your wounds, and boosting your exercise endurance.
Arginine can be made by the human body 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
The lysine-arginine ratio is a measure of the balance between these two amino acids in a food.
A higher ratio means more lysine relative to arginine, which may be beneficial for preventing or treating viral infections, such as herpes simplex.
Mango has a high lysine-arginine ratio of 2.18, which may help inhibit viral replication, since it contains more than twice the amount of lysine than arginine.
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 symptoms.
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
Fruits are generally high in natural sugars, water, and vitamin C.
Some fruits have more lysine than arginine, such as papaya, mango, apricot, apple, pear, fig, and avocado.
These fruits can help prevent or soothe herpes outbreaks, as lysine can counteract the effects of arginine.
Other fruits have more arginine than lysine, such as oranges, tangerines, grapes, bananas, strawberries, and kiwis.
These fruits 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.Consider taking l-lysine supplements, which can help prevent herpes outbreaks and stop a cold sore before it emerges by limiting the availability of arginine for the virus, which it requires to produce 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.
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.
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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