Lysine & Arginine Food Database

Browse our database of 6,000+ foods with lysine and arginine content information.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) requires arginine — an amino acid found in many common foods — to replicate. Maintaining a diet where lysine consistently outweighs arginine is one of the most evidence-backed nutritional strategies for reducing the frequency of herpes outbreaks. This database lets you check the exact lysine-to-arginine ratio for over 6,000 foods, so you can make smarter choices at every meal.

A ratio above 1.0 (more lysine than arginine) is generally considered favourable for people managing herpes. Foods with ratios below 0.5 — particularly nuts, seeds, and chocolate — are the most likely to tip the balance in the virus's favour. Use the search and category filters below to find the foods you eat most often, then check out our guide on how to build a herpes-friendly diet for practical meal planning advice.

Showing all foods
Name ⇅ Category ⇅ Lysine (mg) ⇅ Arginine (mg) ⇅ Ratio ⇅
Lamb Sirloin Meat 2504 1684 1.49
Canadian Bacon Meat 1625.6 1123.4 1.45
Pork Spareribs Meat 1041.4 736.4 1.42
Summer Sausage Meat 1382.6 991.3 1.4
Pork Leg Meat 1663 1218.1 1.37
Pork Loin Chop Meat 1291.4 946.4 1.36
Pork Shoulder Meat 1573.6 1155 1.36
Beef Flank Steak Meat 1600 1212.39 1.32
Beef Round Steak Meat 1612.33 1223.35 1.32
Porterhouse Steak Meat 1444.93 1096.92 1.32
Beef T-Bone Steak Meat 1394.27 1059.47 1.32
Ham, Boneless Meat 1486.78 1138.77 1.31
Italian Sausage, Cooked Meat 1522.39 1182.09 1.29
Pork Sausage Meat 900 700 1.29
Pork And Beef Sausage Meat 1084.62 853.85 1.27
Bologna, Beef And Pork Meat 892.86 707.14 1.26
Corned Beef, Brisket Meat 1123.36 903.08 1.24
Pastrami Meat 1339.29 1078.57 1.24
Bologna, Beef Meat 907.14 732.14 1.24
Frankfurter, Beef Meat 864.44 697.78 1.24
Ground Beef, Regular Meat 1380.53 1115.04 1.24
Ground Beef, Lean Meat 1477.88 1194.69 1.24
Beef Smoked, Chopped Meat 1667.86 1378.57 1.21
Venison Meat 2639 2175 1.21
Pork Bacon Meat 638 529 1.21
Beef, Dried Meat 2404 1988 1.21
Bratwurst Meat 1154 957 1.21
Polish Sausage Meat 1125 936 1.2
Salami, Hard Meat 1820 1520 1.2
Beef liver Meat 1389.38 1256.64 1.11
Goat Meat Meat 2016 1989 1.01

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How to Use the Lysine-Arginine Ratio

The ratio shown in the database is calculated as lysine ÷ arginine per 100g of food. Higher is better for people with herpes. Here is a quick guide to interpreting the numbers:

  • Ratio > 2.0: Excellent — strongly favours lysine. Examples: most fish, poultry, and dairy.
  • Ratio 1.0–2.0: Good — more lysine than arginine. Safe to eat freely.
  • Ratio 0.5–1.0: Moderate — roughly balanced. Eat in moderation alongside high-lysine foods.
  • Ratio < 0.5: Unfavourable — significantly more arginine than lysine. Limit these foods, especially during or before an outbreak.

All values in the database are per 100g of food unless stated otherwise. Portion size matters: a small amount of a high-arginine food may still be fine in the context of an otherwise lysine-rich meal. Focus on your overall daily ratio rather than avoiding individual foods entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which foods have the highest lysine-to-arginine ratio?

Fish consistently top the database — particularly flounder, cod, halibut, and sole — with ratios of 3.0 or higher. Poultry (chicken and turkey breast) and most dairy products (cottage cheese, ricotta, Greek yogurt) also score very favourably. Among plant foods, mangoes and papayas have unusually high lysine-to-arginine ratios compared to most fruits.

Which common foods are highest in arginine and worst for herpes?

Nuts are the biggest concern — particularly peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, which have arginine-to-lysine ratios of 3:1 or higher. Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin) are similarly high in arginine. Chocolate and cocoa are notorious for their high arginine content. Among grains, oats and wheat germ have higher arginine relative to refined grains. These foods are not forbidden, but they are best eaten alongside high-lysine proteins to offset the arginine load.

How much lysine per day is recommended for herpes management?

Clinical studies on lysine for herpes have used doses ranging from 1,000mg to 3,000mg daily. For maintenance (outbreak prevention), 1,000–1,500mg per day is the most commonly studied dose. For acute outbreak treatment, 3,000mg per day for 5–7 days is sometimes used. These amounts are achievable through diet alone only if you are eating substantial portions of lysine-rich proteins at multiple meals — supplementation fills the gap for most people. Always discuss supplementation doses with your healthcare provider, as high-dose lysine can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

Can I use this database to plan a herpes-friendly meal plan?

Yes. Search for the protein sources you eat most regularly and confirm they have ratios above 1.0. Then check snack foods, nuts, and any protein supplements you use — these are the most likely sources of hidden arginine in a typical diet. Building meals around fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy as your primary proteins, with vegetables and fruits as sides, will naturally produce a lysine-favourable diet for most people. Our guide to the best foods for cold sores provides a practical meal planning framework using this data.