Arginine and lysine are two amino acids that play vital roles in your body. Knowing how they work can help you make smarter food choices to support your health.
Why Arginine Matters
Arginine is an amino acid your body uses to build proteins, which are essential for everything from vital functions to cell communication. It’s especially good for improving blood flow by helping dilate (open up) blood vessels.
This can make it useful for managing conditions like high blood pressure or erectile dysfunction. Arginine also helps your body remove ammonia, which can accumulate in people with liver or kidney issues.
If you’re looking to add more arginine to your diet, here’s a list of foods naturally high in this amino acid. Just be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before making any major dietary changes.
Foods High in Arginine:
- Eggs
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Meat (beef, chicken)
- Fish
- Nuts like Brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts
- Nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter)
- Seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame
- Seaweed and spirulina
- Cocoa powder and chocolate
- Chickpeas (including hummus)
- Coconut meat
When to Limit Arginine
While arginine has many benefits, it’s not ideal for everyone. If you’re prone to cold sores or herpes outbreaks, you may want to limit foods high in arginine—especially chocolate, peanuts, and almonds. This is because the herpes virus uses arginine to replicate, which can make outbreaks worse.
How Lysine Can Help
That’s where lysine comes in. Lysine is another amino acid that can help manage herpes outbreaks by competing with arginine in the body. If you’re looking to reduce outbreaks, focusing on high-lysine foods while cutting back on arginine-rich ones may help.
Foods High in Lysine:
- Fish
- Meat (chicken, beef, pork)
- Milk and dairy (cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt)
- Beans
- Potatoes
- Brewer’s yeast
Finding Balance
Whether you want to increase arginine for better blood flow or cut back on it to manage herpes symptoms, small changes to your diet can make a big difference. As always, check in with your healthcare provider before making any significant dietary adjustments.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment or a complimentary consultation with one of our naturopathic doctors. We’re here to help!
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Dr. Jennifer Potter, ND
Naturopathic Doctor San Jose
408-356-1364
