NutriStack
L-Arginine and L-Lysine, a conflict.
Arginine and lysine compete for cellular uptake; high-dose arginine can reduce lysine's effect on HSV outbreak prevention.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- L-Arginine and L-Lysine
- Pair type
- Conflict
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 1 source
- Stack Score effect
- −10 to your Stack Score (per scored conflict row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Supplement
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Conflict · Moderate evidence
Conflict
What is happening. Arginine and lysine compete for cellular uptake; high-dose arginine can reduce lysine's effect on HSV outbreak prevention.
Mechanism. Both amino acids share the y+ cationic amino acid transporter; the lysine/arginine ratio influences HSV viral replication.
Recommendation. Separate by 2 hours and avoid high-dose arginine during active HSV outbreaks. Reduce dietary arginine sources (nuts, chocolate) when using lysine for HSV.
Minimum separation. 2 hours
Sources (1)
- Griffith RS et al. A multicentered study of lysine therapy in herpes simplex infection. Dermatologica. 1978
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both L-Arginine and L-Lysine are in the same stack, this pair applies −10 to your Stack Score (per scored conflict row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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