Plantain Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Plantain is a fruit that is usually cooked before eating. It is a staple food in many tropical regions.Plantain is a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It also contains potassium and magnesium.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantain | 37mg | 66mg | 0.6 |
Plantain contains 37mg of Lysine and 66mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Plantain has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.6.
Because Plantain 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
Plantain is a low source of lysine, providing only about 1% of the RDI per 100 grams.
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 different high-protein foods like milk and cheese, fish, eggs, meat and poultry.
Arginine Considerations
Plantain is a moderate source of arginine, providing about 5% of the RDI per 100 grams.
Arginine can enhance 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
Plantain has a low lysine-arginine ratio, which means it has more arginine relative to lysine.
This may be beneficial for people with certain health conditions, such as heart disease.
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 prevent 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 flare ups.
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 availability of arginine by the virus, and thus prevent 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 lessen 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:
Drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated and remove toxins from your body.
Water can also help prevent dryness and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, which can result in fewer outbreaks.
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.
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.
Check more food information
