Starfruit (Carambola) Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Starfruit, also known as carambola, is a tropical fruit that is star-shaped when sliced. It has a sweet and sour taste.Starfruit is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. It also contains potassium and copper.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfruit (Carambola) | 77mg | 21mg | 3.6 |
Starfruit (Carambola) contains 77mg of Lysine and 21mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Starfruit (Carambola) has a very high Lysine-Arginine ratio of 3.6.
Because Starfruit (Carambola) 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
Starfruit is an excellent source of lysine, providing about 2% of the RDI per 100 grams.
In fact, it is one of the best sources of lysine amongst fruits, and can be beneficial to those individuals who cannot get enough of this aminoacids from animal products, such as people who follow a vegan diet or are lactose-intolerant.
It's one of the nine amino acids that the body can't produce, so it must be included in our diet.
Lysine has different roles in the body, such as aiding in growth, healing, energy production, immune function, and the production of collagen.
Research indicates that lysine may have an impact on the herpes virus, which is responsible for cold sores and genital sores.
Taking lysine supplements or using lysine cream could potentially prevent or treat these infections by stunting the amino acid arginine, which the virus requires for growth.
Arginine Considerations
Starfruit is a low source of arginine, providing only about 1% of the RDI per 100 grams.
The much higher lysine amount further inhibits the availability of arginine to the body, which may actually be beneficial to some individuals who suffer from viruses that feed on arginine.
Arginine has different benefits for our health and performance, such as lowering blood pressure, enhancing wound healing, and increasing exercise endurance.
Arginine can also affect the herpes virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Studies suggest that arginine may help the virus grow and cause outbreaks, so people with herpes may want to avoid foods that are high in arginine or take lysine supplements to block its effects.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Starfruit has a very high lysine-arginine ratio, which means it has more lysine relative to arginine.
This may be beneficial for people with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, as lysine may inhibit the replication of HSV.
Starfruit is the fruit which contains the most lysine compared to arginine, making it an ideal addition to your diet if you are prone to herpes outbreaks and cold sore flare-ups.
The herpes simplex virus, which causes oral and genital herpes, needs arginine to multiply and infect cells.
Lysine, on the other hand, can interfere with the absorption of arginine in the intestine, and thus limit the availability of arginine for the virus.
By eating a diet higher in lysine than arginine, one may be able to prevent or treat herpes flare-ups.
Foods that have a high lysine-arginine ratio include dairy, fish, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
These foods can supply the body with sufficient lysine to compete with arginine and inhibit the virus from replicating and causing flare ups.
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 slow down or lower 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:
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.
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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