What are cold sores?
Cold sore outbreaks are a manifestation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that carries on nerve cells. If you suffer from cold sores (herpes), you are probably infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1, but type 2, usually associated with genital herpes, can also manifest itself on the lips or in the region of the nose. About 80% of the world’s population carries the virus, but only between 15% and 30% of them suffer recurrent outbreaks. Once you are infected with the virus, you are infected for life; there is no known cure for herpes.
Even if you suffer from recurring cold sores, you can dramatically reduce or even prevent breakouts by following a few simple rules. Some of these rules are not fun to implement in your daily life, but their effects may convince you to stick with them. Let’s start!
The amino acid ratio battle.
Arginine: Arginine is an amino acid found in virtually any food you eat. Arginine alone is not bad; the problem is that it is the favorite “food” that the herpes simplex virus uses to reproduce. High arginine levels seem to signal the virus to start replicating.
Lysine: Lysine is also an amino acid obtained from the diet. If arginine has herpes growth promoting activity, lysine has the opposite effect. The herpes virus cannot use lysine to feed itself or replicate itself; that is why we need to feed more lysine into our cells. So logically, the more lysine and less arginine you consume in your food, the fewer cold sore breakouts you are likely to have. BUT the goal is not to eradicate arginine from your diet, you need it to stay healthy and regenerate muscles! What we need are foods with a good lysine / arginine ratio. Here are 2 examples:
Example 1 Peanuts: 100 grams of peanuts contain: 1006 mg of lysine and 3506 mg of arginine. This is a lysine / arginine ratio of 0.29. Eat peanuts in moderation!
Example 2 Natural yogurt: 100 grams of natural yogurt contain: 311 mg of lysine and 104 mg of arginine. The lysine / arginine ratio is 2.99. Yogurt is fine!
Foods with a poor lysine / arginine ratio (consume in moderation):
• Consume with extreme moderation all kinds of nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc …) as well as their derivatives.
• Eat in moderation all kinds of seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame, etc.) as well as their by-products
• Citrus-based juices (orange, grapefruit, tangerine juice, etc …)
• Grapes
• Coconut
• Chocolate and all other cocoa by-products
• Puffed oats and rolled oats, wheat and wheat by-products
• Cucurbits (zucchini, squash, etc …)
• Be careful with food supplements rich in arginine, which are normally found in food products for bodybuilding
Some food with a good lysine / arginine ratio (good food)
• Dairy products (yogurt, milk, cheese)
• Meat (chicken, beef, pork, etc.)
• Fish (tuna and sardines contain lysine)
• Soy
Some foods with a near neutral lysine / arginine ratio (neutral food)
• All the vegetables
• Seafood
• Vegetables
Refined sugars and their substitutes.
This one is not easy, today everything contains refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, from industrial bread to your favorite yogurt. To avoid these sugars, try to buy “simple” foods and sweeten yourself with pure honey.
Try to stay away from refined and processed sugars like:
• White sugar
• Fake brown sugar
• Corn syrups
Try to stay away from refined and processed sugars like:
• Aspartame (also known as Equal and NutraSweet)
• Saccharin (also known as Sweet’N Low)
• Sucralose (also known as: Splenda, Altern)
• Sorbitol
Remember, try using honey instead of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Avoid acidic drinks and liquids.
Drink these drinks in moderation, they acidify your body and a low body pH is more subject to the proliferation of viruses:
• All sodas with phosphoric acid or refined sugar or artificial sweeteners (actually those 3 conditions apply to 99% of sodas, it might be a good idea to leave the sodas forever!)
• Beer, wine and alcoholic beverages
• Use all types of vinegars sparingly, including by-products like yellow mustard. If you really like bubbly liquids, try replacing sodas with club soda, they come in a variety of flavors.
Fatty food
Fats from natural sources such as meat, fish, and plants (unsaturated fats, Omega-3 oils (fish oils, flaxseed oil), Omega-6 oils (most natural vegetable oils), and saturated fats) are relatively safe to consume. But hydrogenated oils also known as trans fats should be avoided at all costs. It is widely found in fast food, packaged, pre-made, and processed.
Final words on eating habits
The goal is not to eradicate everything we have listed from your diet; you can indulge yourself once in a while without any consequence. But moderation is the key!
