Is L-arginine associated with herpes outbreaks?
The amino acid L-arginine does NOT cause transfer of herpes among individuals, and will NOT promote herpes in someone who is not infected. In addition, scientific studies do NOT support the “street tale” that dietary intake of L-arginine may be involved in activating herpes in those who are infected. There are no medical studies demonstrating that modifying dietary levels of L-arginine or lysine (an amino acid that competes with L-arginine for uptake) has any effect on herpes outbreaks. Recurrent herpes flare ups occur with such frequency that it is impossible to establish any causal relationship between dietary amino acids and recurrent HSV. ArginMax itself does not cause or induce HSV. For those with herpes, it is important to be aware that it is more likely that local factors are the cause: sunlight, trauma (even light trauma), transient immune suppression caused by an intercurrent viral infection, and others. This information is based on the input of medical experts in the area of
