Oatmeal Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from rolled, steel-cut, or instant oats. It is high in fiber, protein, iron, and magnesium.Oatmeal can be cooked with water or milk, and sweetened with sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
It can also be flavored with spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla, or topped with fruits, nuts, or chocolate.
Oatmeal may have some health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, and improving heart, brain, and gut health.
However, it may also contain gluten, which can cause allergic or intolerant reactions in some people, such as celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, or oat allergy.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oatmeal | 333mg | 626mg | 0.531 |
Oatmeal contains 333mg of Lysine and 626mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Oatmeal has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.531.
Because Oatmeal 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
Oatmeal is a good source of lysine, an essential amino acid that is important for protein synthesis, collagen formation, and calcium absorption.
Lysine may also help prevent cold sores, herpes, and shingles.
Oatmeal provides about 333 mg of lysine per 100 grams of food, which is about 11-42% of the recommended daily intake of 800-3000 mg for adults.
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 a variety of high-protein foods like dairy, fish, eggs, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Oatmeal is also a good source of arginine, another essential amino acid that is involved in nitric oxide production, wound healing, and immune function.
Arginine may also help improve blood flow, erectile dysfunction, and athletic performance.
Oatmeal provides about 626 mg of arginine per 100 grams of food, which is about 10-16% of the recommended daily intake of 400-6000 mg for adults.
Arginine can benefit your wellbeing 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
Oatmeal has a moderate lysine-arginine ratio of 0.531, which means that it has slightly more arginine than lysine.
This ratio may affect the balance of these amino acids in the body, and may influence the risk of viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Some studies suggest that a higher lysine-arginine ratio may help suppress HSV replication, while a lower ratio may promote it.
Therefore, oatmeal may not be the best choice for people who have or are prone to HSV outbreaks.
However, the lysine-arginine ratio is not the only factor that affects HSV, and other factors, such as stress, immunity, and diet quality, should also be considered.
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 outbreaks.
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
Cereals are grains that are edible seeds of grasses, such as wheat, rice, oats, corn, and barley.
Cereals are a great source of carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins and minerals.
That said, most cereals have more arginine than lysine, which can be problematic for people with herpes.
Arginine can stimulate the replication of the herpes virus, leading to more frequent and severe outbreaks.
Lysine can counteract the effects of arginine, but it is not abundant in cereals.
Hence, cereals should be consumed in limited amounts or paired with other lysine-rich foods, such as dairy, fish, or poultry.
Lysine supplements can also help boost the lysine-arginine ratio in the diet.
For example:
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.
Taking other food supplements that can improve your immunity and protect your cells from oxidative stress, such as vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants.
Eating foods that can soothe your symptoms and speed up your healing process, such as honey, yogurt, aloe vera, and chamomile.
These foods have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that can reduce pain, swelling, and itching, and promote tissue repair.
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