Also if you're having an outbreak then take heed to the L-Arginine to L-Lysine ratio in your weight-reduction plan you'll be able to look on-line for charts with the ratio of L-Lysine to L-Arginine in several foods. I do know that I have not had a cold sore since taking these. I have been taking a different lysine product (one thousand mg daily). That is THE ONLY lysine product I take advantage of regularly