Herpes simplex virus is a common condition characterized by painful blisters on the mouth and/or genitals that may be provoked by excessive sun exposure, fever or dietary factors. Since the virus requires the amino acid arginine to replicate, while the amino acid lysine inhibits replication, diets high in arginine and low in lysine may promote outbreaks.
Nuts and Seeds
Many nuts and seeds have arginine-to-lysine ratios that are the highest of any foods. Walnuts, for example, have over five times as much arginine as lysine. Other nuts and seeds in this category include hazelnuts, pine nuts, Brazil nuts, tahini, sesame seeds, pecans, almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts and pumpkin seeds.
Many grain products also have higher levels of arginine than lysine, although not as high as nuts and seeds. These include rice, oats, wheat and corn. Grains with the highest level of proteins will have higher levels of arginine. For example, though they have similar ratios of arginine to lysine, wheat germ has more than twice as much arginine as shredded wheat, owing to its increased proteincontent.
Other Foods
Many fruits and vegetables have more arginine than lysine. However, since these foods are generally low in protein, the amount that arginine contributes to their makeup is relatively low. Among produce items with higher arginine levels are oranges, grapes, berries, onions and garlic, yams, squash, peas and potatoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment