Steel Cut Oats Lysine and Arginine Info Sheet
Overview
Steel cut oats are a type of whole grain that is high in fiber and protein. They have a chewy texture and a nutty flavor. They are often used in breakfast dishes like oatmeal and granola.Steel cut oats are a good source of iron and can help to lower cholesterol.
They are also a slow-digesting carbohydrate, which can help to keep you feeling full longer.
| Name | Lysine (mg/100g) | Arginine (mg/100g) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Cut Oats | 200mg | 1100mg | 0.182 |
Steel Cut Oats contains 200mg of Lysine and 1100mg of Arginine per 100g of product.
This means Steel Cut Oats has a low Lysine-Arginine ratio of 0.182.
Because Steel Cut Oats contains much higher levels of arginine than lysine, limiting its consumption is recommended by people who suffer from herpes, as it may trigger outbreaks.
Lysine Considerations
Steel cut oats contain a moderate amount of lysine. While they are not as high in lysine as some other foods, they can still contribute to your daily lysine intake, especially if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
It's one of the nine amino acids that the body can't produce, so it must be included in our diet.
Lysine has multiple 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 working against the amino acid arginine, which the virus requires for growth.
Arginine Considerations
Steel cut oats are a good source of arginine. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a role in several bodily functions, including wound healing and immune function.
Arginine can contribute to cold sore outbreaks, which are blisters caused by the HSV-1 virus, also known as herpes.
Arginine aids in the growth of HSV-1, which needs this particular amino acid to multiply and infect cells.
Arginine can be obtained through our diet, and is found in a variety of high-protein foods such as nuts, seeds, and chocolate.
Regrettably, the herpes virus is known to "feed" on arginine, and a diet rich in arginine compared to lysine may increase the frequency and severity of cold sores and herpes outbreaks.
Lysine-Arginine Ratio
Steel cut oats have a lower lysine-arginine ratio, which means they have more arginine relative to lysine.
This can be beneficial for people who need to increase their arginine intake for health reasons.
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 the human system 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 flare-ups.
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
Grains are generally scarce in lysine and high in in arginine, which makes them less beneficial for people with herpes.
That said, some grains are better than others in terms of their lysine to arginine ratio.
Quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and seitan are some of the grains that have more lysine than arginine, or at least a balanced ratio.
These grains can be included in a healthy diet, as they also provide fiber, iron, and antioxidants.
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.
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
