Since there are currently no really effective remedies for cold sores many people turn to alternative treatments instead, and one of the areas that can make a significant impact on getting rid of cold sores is diet.
Estimates are that up to 90 percent of the US population is infected with the herpes simplex virus by adulthood and while many people don’t suffer cold sore symptoms, there is a significant minority for whom life becomes unbearable during outbreaks. However, by adopting a few simple precautions you may be able to stop cold sore outbreaks from occurring so frequently, and one of these is to change you diet.
The reason for saying this is that one amino acid - lysine - has been linked to reducing cold sore outbreaks, while another - arginine - is associated with triggering outbreaks. These are both essential amino acids, meaning that they must be ingested due to the fact that the body cannot synthesize them itself and are required for normal body function. By choosing foods that are high in lysine and reducing the intake of foods with arginine can make a dramatic effect because cold sore outbreaks will tend to occur less frequently and will heal faster when they do.
You can find lysine in red meat, dairy products and eggs as well as flounder, a common ocean fish. You can also take it as a supplement. Avoid nuts, chocolate and grains as they all contain high concentrations of arginine, particularly if you have cold sores.
Another good compound that can help your cold sores is found in yogurt. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a microorganism that helps restore the natural balance of bugs in our stomachs required for digestion and also appears to aid cold sores. While you can simply add yogurt to your diet, acidophilus capsules seem to be equally effective.
