Cold Sores

Those who suffer regular re-curring cold sores are well aware of how horrible they are.  They erupt when you feel ‘run-down’, at your lowest ebb - physically, emotionally and mentally.  They often come at the beginning of a romantic holiday prohibiting you from kissing your loved one and you can be sure they will poke their little head up just in time for Valentine’s Day, putting an abrupt end to any kissing that day.

The Herpes Simplex Virus causes cold sores in and around the mouth and nose.  (Genital Herpes is caused by a different, but related, virus) The eruption is preceded by a tingling sensation followed by blisters that eventually crust over and disappear.  The virus lives dormant in nerve cells but can be triggered by many factors e.g. a lowered immune system, exhaustion, stress, trauma, viral infections, menstruation or after exposure to a lot of wind or sun.  The very common and extremely contagious virus in contracted by skin to skin contact.  Studies show that 30 – 60 % of children carry the virus by the age of 10!

Improving the immune system is crucial to the prevention and control of cold sores.  As well as that, some people find a diet high in the amino acid lysine and low in arginine beneficial for treating cold sores (amino acids are what proteins are made out of).  Foods high in arginine are chocolate, peanuts, seeds, almonds and other nuts.  Foods high in lysine include most vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey and chicken.

There are many supplements for improving the immune system, but the one supplement that seems to work very well for preventing and treating cold sores is the amino acid Lysine.  If you regularly get cold sores take a low dose every day for a few months.  If you have a cold sore take a higher dose for the duration of the cold sore.  Do not take for longer than 6 months and do not take it if pregnant or breastfeeding.  Go to your local health food store for advise about the different brands and dosages.

Other supplements to support lysine and to help boost your immune system are Vitamin C (which increases the rate of the colds sores healing when taken at a high dosage), Vitamin B Complex and Zinc (oral supplementation of Zinc has been shown to be effective in reducing frequency, duration and severity of cold sores).