In addition to our 3-Step Shingles Protocol, there are some other ways that you can manage your herpes outbreaks naturally without having to resort to prescription drugs and their side effects. The herpes virus often activated when the body has certain vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins C, B, E, bioflavonoids, and zinc can help to reduce the chance of outbreaks. It is sometimes beneficial to take nutrients in supplement form to ensure that your body is getting the correct amount of each. This can be a safe and easy way to help manage outbreaks, without the risk of side effects associated with prescription medication. We have designed our Ultimate Foundation Multi-Vitamin/Nutrients to be the best source available for this.
Understanding L-Lysine and L-Arginine
There is scientific evidence that links herpes outbreaks to the amino acids L-Lysine and L-Arginine. Avoiding foods rich in Arginine (such as chocolate, nuts, and carob) and eating foods rich in Lysine (most fresh fruits and vegetables) is recommended to help manage herpes.
Having sufficient amounts of Lysine in your diet, or taking it in a supplement form, could help to reduce herpes and cold sore outbreaks. According to clinical trials, Lysine can help to restrict the herpes virus from being active and replicating. Lysine is an essential amino acid. It has the ability to help balance the production of Arginine, an amino acid required by the herpes virus.
How L-Lysine Does This
Herpes DNA uses the amino acid L-arginine to replicate itself and form a virus. Early studies using laboratory cultures demonstrated that L-arginine was necessary for herpes growth. Another amino acid, L-lysine, blocked the bio-availability of arginine. Thus, the ratio of arginine/lysine amino acids in foods is important.
Lysine is also essential for wound healing and building collagen. It has been shown to improve the body’s ability to create antibodies, and improve healing of skin tissue. Additionally Lysine may help to significantly decrease the healing time of an outbreak and may help to prevent HSV recurrences.
Arginine can be found in chocolate, peanuts, and cashews. Therefore, a diet low in arginine, and high in lysine can be beneficial. Many people believe that increase intake of lysine can suppress the spread of the virus. These foods can help reduce the number of outbreaks that one can have over time and recurrences.
Lysine is found in high amounts in most fresh fruits and vegetables, especially beets, avocados, mangos, tomatoes, apples, apricots, pears, figs and papaya; dairy products, eggs, chicken, fish, beef and lamb. Especially good broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels, which all naturally contain indole-3-carbinol. Cranberries which contain proanthocyanidin A-1 have also been shown to be beneficial.
Supplementation Can Also Help!
Monolaurin, just like Vitamin C, is most effective when a maintenance amount is taken daily. Approved as a direct food additive by the FDA, monolaurin adversely affects bacteria, yeast, fungi, protozoa, and the Herpes/Shingle viruses.
Also adding L-lysine as a separate supplement, if you are suffering from herpes or shingles, is one of our stronger recommendations. There are many places to get L-lysine and the overall quality is fairly good no matter what brand you get. Since we order many things from Vitalabs, we usually recommend NSI’s L-lysine at VitaCost.