Lysine Versus Arginine
L-lysine (known as lysine) and arginine are amino acids found in foods containing protein, which rebuild your bodily tissues (internally and externally), such as your muscles and skin. Both play vital roles in maintaining optimal health and wellness. You'll have to contend with these two particular amino acids to put and keep herpes in remission. Lysine is also vital in transporting long-chain fatty acids (fats) across your cells for energy and transports toxins outside the cells. Unfortunately, your body isn't able to make lysine on its own. You must get it through your diet by eating animal proteins (meats and seafood), beans, legumes, eggs, dairy, soy, Brewer's yeast, and some vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains.
Arginine feeds the Herpes Simplex Virus and increases the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks when higher amounts of arginine, rather than lysine, are consumed. Taking lysine as a supplement reduces the availability of arginine or the ability of the virus to use arginine to replicate. How so?
Lysine blocks some of the activity of arginine and increases the production of arginase, an enzyme that breaks down arginine and decreases its concentration in cells. Because of this, lysine may reduce the frequency or severity of lesions caused by the herpes virus.
A 2021 study found that "...taking lysine in conjunction to eating a low-arginine diet, was effective in reducing the chances of getting infected by COVID-19 and a newly emergent strain of the influenza A virus."
In the long run, you want to do your best to avoid foods containing excessively high amounts of arginine. And never consume them during an outbreak. You will only be feeding the herpes virus. Adjusting your diet (and choosing foods containing far less arginine than lysine) may contribute to putting herpes in remission.
Here's the thing. Lysine and arginine are found in the same foods more often than not. Don't let this unnerve you. You need both to be healthy. Keep in mind that the idea isn't to avoid arginine altogether but to avoid eating foods containing excessively high amounts of arginine, especially without counteracting it with another food or a supplement high in lysine.
Lysine Supplements
Since lysine is a popular supplement for helping prevent herpes outbreaks, it's relatively easy to find. You might take a lysine supplement if restricting arginine in your diet doesn't work for you or when you feel particularly stressed. But there are things you need to know.
- Lysine doesn't need to build up in the system before it works.
- Lysine increases the amount of calcium your body absorbs and may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also helps with osteoporosis and helps to maintain muscle mass in older adults.
- Should you decide to use a lysine supplement, 900-1250 mg daily is enough for some people to notice an improved absence of breakouts. Some say to take 1000 mg of lysine up to three times each day (a therapeutic dose), but I don't suggest it, as it could cause kidney or liver damage when taken daily for longer than six months. Taking lysine at higher doses extensively may also lead to high cholesterol or gallstones. Another suggestion is to take a certain amount of lysine for every pound of body weight rather than a one-size-fits-all dosage. Take your weight in pounds and divide by 2.2 (that will give you your weight in kilograms). Then multiply that number by 38 to get your recommended adult daily intake of lysine in milligrams. For example, divide 140 pounds by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms (63.6 kg). Multiply 63.6 x 38 mg to get 2416.8 mg of lysine daily.
- Taking lysine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is best for increasing absorption, but if it upsets your digestion, you can also take it with meals or shortly after. Studies show that taking it at night increases the production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) in the body, which declines as we age. If lysine causes digestive upset, take it with a light snack or meal or try another brand.
- Lysine supplements tend to be large and difficult to swallow. If you have trouble swallowing large pills, crush the tablet into powder form and mix it into a smoothie or yogurt.
- So, should you refrain from using lysine? I couldn't find any information on how long to break from taking lysine before using it again, so avoiding high arginine levels in your diet and using lysine only during outbreaks (orally and topically) might be the better way to go. I have read that lower doses of lysine aren't harmful when taken for six months to a year before refraining. Lysine leaves your system rather quickly when you stop taking it.
- Lysine may increase the toxicity of certain antibiotics.
Other Health Benefits of L-Lysine
- To produce sufficient and appropriate hormones, antibodies, and immunity.
- Speeds wound healing
- It gives structure to skin and bones by helping to createcollagen and elastin
- It helps to produce enzymes
- When combined with catechin (flavonoids), it helps to reduce Cancer cells in mice
- When used for Diabetes, it lowers blood sugar and may prevent cataracts
- It can repress relapses of MS
- Prevents hair loss
- Reduces anxiety and, after three months of use in women, it lowers cortisol levels
- It reduces the chance of stress-induced loose stool.
- It reduces the inflammatory response.
- Combined with medication, lysine may help those with Schizophrenia.
Lysine & Arginine FYI
No studies have proven that lysine works for Shingles (Herpes Zoster Virus) or any other herpes virus. There are mixed results in reducing recurrences or the severity of outbreaks. It only works for some. But before you roll your eyes, you might still try lysine to see if it works for you. Everyone is different, and herpes reacts differently in everyone. Many people say it's a lifesaver.
So that you know, certain supplements containing arginine (such as those for erectile dysfunction) and oral growth hormone-releasing compounds (secretagogues) could trigger breakouts when there is not enough lysine in your diet to counteract the arginine.
Amino acids are acids. As mentioned earlier, they're derived from proteins. Too much protein (over 10% of your diet) can cause diet-induced Metabolic Acidosis.
Below, you'll find my Comprehensive L-Lysine Verses Arginine Food Ratio Guide, which provides a comprehensive list of foods containing higher lysine ratios than arginine.
