Arginine-rich foods a problem

[Songwriter]

Wow, it is hard as hell to figure out what to eat, what supplements to take to be overall healthy. I have heart disease and recently, I read about arginine being a good supplement for the heart. I bought a bottle of 500mg tabs and next day, a fever blister.

I do not know if I have the sexual herpes but I figure it's the fever blister. I get a sore right inside my nostril from time to time. A doc said it is a fever blister. Today, I have the sore in the nose, a slight headache and I am not sure but it kinda seems like my rear is burning in my seat.

My main problem is not the outbreak, it's NOT taking arginine or eating arginie-rich foods. One of my fave foods for my heart disease AND my low-carb diet is nuts, especially walnuts and almonds. Darn, I can't have these?

There is some research that proposes that heart disease (the clogging up the artery type) might be caused by something like herpes. Chronic "inflammation" is the latest bad guy in heart disease. And some are thinking that a herpes virus, always in your body, could cause arterial plaques to form. I think that's the gist of it.

Suffice to say, I am disappointed I can't eat arginine-rich foods or take arginine supplements. Does anyone know if I could counter the herpes problems or arginine by taking Lysine or something else? Or do you just have to avoid arginine? If you know anything, advise.

[Gaelen]

My main problem is not the outbreak, it's NOT taking arginine or eating arginie-rich foods. One of my fave foods for my heart disease AND my low-carb diet is nuts, especially walnuts and almonds. Darn, I can't have these?

Songwriter, you can have nuts, especially walnuts and almonds which are pretty low carb. For some of us, nuts are a significant snack food and protein source. Enjoy, and get that arginine enrichment at the same time.

[gitfiddle]

Bill, I don't seem to get the fever blisters, but I do get canker sores in my nose and mouth on occasion. When I do, I take Lysine, which seems to shorten the duration down to a couple of days. What this has to do with arginine, I don't know. My cankers seem to have something to do with tissue disruption, like biting my tongue. For what it's worth.

[arc]

Canker sores are strongly associated with celiac disease (gluten intolerance). I used to get them all the time but don't anymore since I am gluten free now.

[wartburg03]

I have problems with cold sores and have since I was four years old. The only way I have found to control them is to take lots of lysine immediately upon sensing an outbreak and avoid arginine-rich foods. The foods that seem to bring out an almost immediate reaction for me are colas, chocolate, and nuts. Lately, eggs are also becoming a problem. This is difficult due to the fact that I also have a dairy allergy but having a restricted diet has really helped reduce the amount of cold sores I get and the lysine decreases the length of their duration and the severity of them. Hope this helps!

[sups]

What foods do you find l-arginine in? I've read of some but perhaps you have a list of more, maybe with amounts in each serving?

[Karole]

I don't know about l-arginine but my husband used to have cold sores on a monthly basis. Never saw anyone get them all the time like that, but a friend told us her hubby had once had the same problem and took acidophilus as soon as he felt that first little tingle. It works !! Dh doesn't get them much anymore and they never do develop into anything as he grabs that acidophilus bottle at the first sign. I haven't had one in years either. Try it , it can't hurt.