Natural remedies are popular for getting rid of cold sores due to the relative ineffectiveness of treatments available from the pharmaceutical industry and one of the first areas to look at is your diet.
Herpes Simple Virus I - HSV-1 - is responsible for this unpleasant condition and it is estimated to infect some 90 percent of the US population. Although many people never experience an attack, others suffer frequent outbreaks, which can be debilitating due to the physical and mental discomfort. However, one of the factors that can affect both the frequency and severity of attacks is your eating habits.
For instance, arginine, an essential amino acid that we get from certain foods, has been linked to triggering cold sore outbreaks, while lysine, another essential amino acid, seems to have the opposite effect. While lysine can be taken as supplement or in a topical cream, it is found naturally in meat, dairy products and eggs, while arginine can be found in nuts chocolate and grains. A simple approach to reducing cold sores therefore is to avoid arginine rich foods and eat lysine rich ones.
It should also be noted that by following a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, avoiding saturated fats and sugars and taking regular exercise can help due to the effect these have on your immune system. By ensuring it is kept in peak condition not only will your immune system help with getting rid of cold sores faster, but it can help supress the virus so you suffer far fewer outbreaks.
