Pickles Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Pickles are cucumbers that have been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or other solution and left to ferment for a period of time.Pickles are low in calories and a good source of vitamin K. However, they are high in sodium.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickles | 26mg | 40mg | 0.65 |
Pickles contains 26mg of Lysine and 40mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Pickles has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.65.
Because Pickles 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
Pickles contain 26mg of lysine per 100g. Lysine is an essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis, collagen formation, and immune function.
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 slowing down 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 many high-protein foods such as eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt, fish, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Pickles contain more arginine than lysine, with 40mg of arginine per 100g.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a role in several bodily functions, including wound healing and immune function.
Arginine can promote your overall health and performance, such as lowering your blood pressure, healing your wounds, and boosting your exercise endurance.
Arginine can be made by your 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
Pickles contain more arginine than lysine. This can be undesirable by those who are prone to cold sores and herpes outbreaks.
This is however unlikely to have an effect on the overall lysine-arginine ratio in one’s diet, unless consumed in very large amounts.
Lysine and arginine are both amino acids that are involved in protein synthesis and other metabolic processes.
That said, they have opposite effects on the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Lysine can slow down the replication of the virus, while arginine can stimulate it.
Because of this, eating foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio may help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks.
Some examples of foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio are milk, cheese and yogurt, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can provide the body with enough lysine to block the absorption of arginine by the virus, and thus prevent its growth and spread.
Dietary Considerations
Most vegetables are scarce in in calories and rich in 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.
Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and eliminate toxins from your body.
Water can also help you avoid dryness and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, which can lead to outbreaks.
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.
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.
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