Also when you're having an outbreak then take heed to the L-Arginine to L-Lysine ratio in your weight loss plan you can look online for charts with the ratio of L-Lysine to L-Arginine in numerous foods. I do know that I've not had a cold sore since taking these. I have been taking a different lysine product (one thousand mg every day). This is THE ONE lysine product I take advantage of on a regular basis