Hope For Herpes Sufferers
Posted by Karen Jensen, ND | Jan 19, 2021 | Living & Culture |
Herpes viruses are widespread. At least half of all adults have cold sores, and most people have had one form or another of this virus. Herpes simplex 1 causes oral herpes, commonly called cold sores, and HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the sources of genital herpes. Varicella zoster, another member of the herpes family, is directly linked to chickenpox in children and can cause shingles later in life.
Most people get HSV-1 as an infant or child, and it is common for a parent or loved one to lovingly share the virus with a simple kiss. Herpes simplex viruses can spread skin to skin by salivary contact with someone who already carries it. Symptoms are very similar for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. There may be an early stage fever, irritability, swollen lymph nodes, or muscle pain, and outbreaks can also be preceded by itching, tingling, burning, and blisters, and if left untreated, the lesions may take up to three weeks to heal.
When it comes to shingles, this little virus can be very nasty and extremely painful. Anyone who has experienced this virus would agree. The most common areas affected are the trunk, face, and scalp and can be dangerous if located on the face. If you suspect a shingles outbreak, seek medical attention as this virus can be severe, and most cases need to be treated with antiviral and pain medications. The shingles vaccine is also available.
Is There A Cure For Herpes Simplex
There is no cure for herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, its a lifelong infection.
What is the outlook for people with herpes simplex?
For many people, the first herpes outbreak is the most severe. Many outbreaks are less frequent and milder after the first year of infection. Some people may have only one outbreak and never have another again.
Herpes infection doesnt usually pose a serious health risk. The risk of a health complication due to herpes is higher in infants and if you have HIV/AIDS, cancer or an organ transplant.
Best Herpes Supplements Top Remedy Products For Outbreaks
- Friday, September 3, 2021 5:05pm
- National Marketplace
Herpes is more common than you think. Fortunately, herpes supplements can help.
Worldwide, nearly two-thirds of all adults have either oral or genital herpes. According to the CDC, approximately 12% of American adults have genital herpes, with around 500 million people worldwide carrying the HSV-2 virus.
Herpes supplement companies aim to help. Today, nutritional companies have launched products to support your immune systems ability to fight the herpes virus.
Some herpes supplements even claim to specifically target the virus, flooding your body with antiviral compounds to eliminate the virus from your body. Some of the most popular herpes supplements even claim to rid your body of the virus entirely.
Do herpes supplements work? Whats the best herpes supplement available today?
Our editorial team ranked the worlds leading herpes supplements. Here are our picks for the best-rated herpes supplements, capsules, tinctures, and products available today.
You May Like: Can I Get Rid Of Herpes Type 2
Why Is The Amount Of Lysine Vs Arginine Important
The ratio of lysine to arginine is important in preventing herpes outbreaks because the herpes virus requires lots of arginine in order to replicate, or make more of, itself. By having high levels of lysine, we can deprive the herpes virus from a critical component of replication simply because there is no more room in our cells for arginine to fit because lysine beat it to the punch.
How We Ranked The Best Herpes Supplements
Ranking the supplements was not that easy. There are plenty of oral and genital herpes supplements that claim to offer effective results. Still, in reality, they only provide the body some essential minerals and nutrients such as vitamin C. However, when we kept these factors in our minds, ranking them became easier:
Read Also: What Are Early Signs Of Herpes
What Can I Do To Prevent This In The Future
If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware.
If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices.
Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store.
Cloudflare Ray ID: 6a60f10fadaa066cYour IP: 54.236.38.79Performance & security byCloudflare
Donât Miss: How To Heal Herpes At Home
How Lysine Helps With Herpes
Although lysine supplementation may not prevent or cure herpes, it may help reduce recurrences. In fact, a number of clinical studies report that lysine is effective in speeding up the healing of recurrent herpes infections and outbreaks. A particular report has found that taking three grams of lysine within a period of six months showed efficacy in the reduction of both recurrence and severity. Another study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information has shown a supporting and comparable result in the supplementation of one gram of lysine daily within a 12-month period.
HSV infection, both primary and recurrent, depends mainly on a cellular transcriptional coactivator that consists of demethylases . Lysine works by inhibiting the activity of these enzymes, thus blocking the progression of viral infection and interfering with gene expression. It also antagonizes the pathways of argininean amino acid necessary for the replication of HSV-1.
Also Check: Is Hpv The Same As Herpes
What Is The Ratio Of Lysine To Arginine
Lysine is an essential amino acid that means it is not produced by the body, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements. It is important for growth and plays an essential role in the production of carnitine, a molecule that is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy. In combination with high doses of vitamin C it has been suggested to reduce lipoprotein which is one of the causes of atherosclerosis. It also helps with the absorption of calcium and the formation of collagen Vitamin C converts lysine to hydroxylysine which is then incorporated into collagen. Many people consume enough lysine through their diet but some athletes or vegans may need more. If you do not have enough lysine in your body, you may experience some symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Laboratory research has shown that the addition of the amino acid arginine to cell cultures caused an uncontrolled proliferation of the herpes virus. In contrast, the addition of lysine inhibited the growth and spread of the virus in cultured cells. Based on this fact, patients suffering from herpes could benefit from following a diet rich in lysine and poor in arginine.
As HSV reproduction requires arginine-rich proteins while lysine inhibits their synthesis, L-lysine has been used to inhibit infection by alternative health professionals. Foods rich in lysine are beef, chicken, pork, cod, eggs and yogurt.
Feline Herpes Virus Infection
Feline herpes virus infection, also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract of cats. The virus is most commonly spread through contact with infected saliva or nasal secretions, and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and fever. In severe cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia and death. There is no cure for the virus, but it can be controlled with antiviral medications.
If your cat appears to be under stress, you may want to take him/her out for a walk or a play session. Give them treats or toys that they can hide or play with quickly if they are given to them. Playtime with your cat is an opportunity for both you and him to have fun. Despite the fact that there is no cure for FHV-1, there are several effective treatments available to help your cat live a happy and healthy life despite the illness.
Also Check: Best Medicine To Prevent Herpes Outbreak
Expect The First Outbreak To Be The Worst
Remember that although herpes lasts a lifetime, the first outbreak typically causes the most pain, while later outbreaks tend to be much milder.
You will always have herpes, and the sores will come and go, but you can decide not to treat the current outbreak. If its not that unpleasant or uncomfortable, some patients will do that, says Gade.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Virus From Your Body
Carnitine And The Body
L-lysine helps create carnitine which the body requires to convert fatty acids into energy successfully. It also lowers the cholesterol levels. Ultimately, it plays a critical role in the bodys absorption of calcium. Calcium helps the body build collagen which is essential for the growth and maintenance of bones plus skin. Collagen in the skin provides a younger, firmer appearance by smoothing out wrinkles and erasing lines.
Read Also: How Does Genital Herpes Spread
Other Cold Sore Treatment Options
While itâs uncertain whether taking an oral lysine supplement or using a cream containing lysine could provide the results you may be looking for, itâs worth noting that you have many other cold sore treatment options.
The Mayo Clinic assures that blisters do typically clear up on their own within two to four weeks, but if you are interested in a quicker recovery, your doctor might prescribe an oral medication, such as valacyclovir or acyclovir, to help speed up the healing process. At-home treatments, such as using a cold compress, applying lip balm or using an over-the-counter cold sore cream, can also help ease your discomfort.
Another way to cope with HSV-1 is to learn what triggers your outbreaks and try to avoid those triggers. Some people find that stress often leads to the formation of blisters, for example. Practicing stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, might help you relax and avoid an outbreak.
Ultimately, the best thing to do if youâre curious about trying lysine for cold sores is talk to your doctor. They can give you advice on the benefits or drawbacks of using a supplement and can recommend other treatments to keep your cold sores under control.
What I Did To Help My Outbreaks
So, what did I do? Well, I adjusted my diet as best as I could. Im vegan for ethical reasons, so eating meat and dairy were simply not an option. I was stuck being a vegan with herpes.
I cant exactly stop eating things with arginine because they are where I get my protein, but I did cut back. I had blood tests run to make sure I was getting enough protein and they came back fine.
I decided that the best thing to do was to take lysine supplements. I experimented a bit to find the right dosage for me, which I think is quite diet dependent. I tried 1,000 mg, then 2,000 mg, and finally 4,000 mg/day. I found that taking two doses of 2,000 mg of lysine one in the morning and one at night right before I went to sleep was the ideal amount for me.
I still have outbreaks, but they are less frequent and less severe. I really wish my doctor would have told me this. It would have saved me a lot of painful days. Being a vegan with herpes isnt easy, but with careful diet monitoring and lysine supplements, you can make it much easier to deal with.
Recommended Reading: Dr Sebis Cure For Herpes
What Is The Lysine Dosage For Cold Sores
L-lysine supplementation appears to be ineffective for the treatment of herpes simplex lesions with doses below 1 g/day without low-arginine diets. Doses above 3 g/day appear to improve patients subjective experience of the disease.
Some sources also recommend that people with a history of herpes infections take 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of lysine supplements a day.
You May Like: How Do You Transfer Herpes
What Are The Benefits Of L
An L-lysine regimen may prevent or reduce the occurrence of cold sores. If you already have a cold sore, L-lysine may help heal the sore more quickly.
The protein-building amino acid may also aid in digestion. Its said to help your gastrointestinal tract absorb calcium. This added calcium can contribute to new bone tissue.
Your body doesnt produce lysine, so you must consume it through the foods you eat. If your diet is lacking in lysine, you may have a compromised immune system. You may also develop higher levels of stress and anxiety. One 2004 study found that a diet rich in lysine can reduce these levels.
Also Check: Synergy Pharmaceuticals Herpes Cure Review
Symptoms Of Cat Herpes
You can tell if your cat has the cat herpes virus if it displays excessive sneezing and nasal discharge. Cats infected with the feline herpes virus can also get rhinitis, or an inflammation of the nose. It is uncommon for a case of cat herpes to affect the eyes, except in young kittens, which have a less developed immune system. Ocular infection also grows more likely as the cat gets older. Kittens usually experience so much ocular discharge that their eyelids stick together, while adult cats that contract an ocular case of rhinotracheitis are more likely to display corneal ulcers and recurrent conjunctivitis .
Lysine For Treating Herpes Simplex Virus
Lysine is one of the nine essential amino acids. This classification indicates that these amino acids are essential for life, cannot be manufactured by the human body, and must be obtained from food.
Amino acids form the structure for all proteins. Lysine plays many roles in human metabolism, and one of lysines most crucial functions is its metabolism into acetyl coenzyme A, one of the key components in the Krebs cycle.
Don’t Miss: What Are Signs That You Have Herpes
Lysine For The Prevention And Treatment Of Cutaneous Herpes Simplex Infections
More than 50% of the worlds population has recurrent cutaneous herpes simplex virus infections.1 HSV is now the most common cause of genital ulceration in developed countries,2 and infection rates continue to rise in Europe and the United States. In the United States, viral subtype HSV-2 seroprevalence has risen from 16.4% to 21.7% .2 Although clinical disease is self-limited, infection is lifelong and recurrences can cause significant psychosocial morbidity.
Treatment of cutaneous HSV infections usually involves topical or oral antivirals, along with avoidance of predisposing factors . Lysine, one of nine essential amino acids , has gained popularity as a cheap and possibly effective agent in the treatment and prophylaxis of recurrent HSV infections. In fact, when taken orally at doses of 1,000-3,000 mg/d, lysine appears safe and effective in some patients as prophylaxis against recurrent cutaneous HSV infection.
Will Lysine Help Prevent Cold Sores
Lysine is occasionally promoted as a natural remedy for cold sores. The Mayo Clinic lists it as an alternative treatment option, available as either an oral supplement or a cream, and PennState Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center notes that lysine supplements may potentially help to reduce the occurrence of cold sore outbreaks, though not all experts believe it works.
One theory on why lysine is thought to help reduce cold sore outbreaks is that the amino acid may interfere with the activity of arginine, another amino acid, and block herpes replication, according to an article in Clinical Advisor.
So far, studies focusing on lysine for cold sores in humans havent drawn any firm conclusions. One study, published in Integrative Medicine: A Clinicians Journal, revealed that lysine supplementation of less than 1 gram per day wasnt effective at treating or preventing cold sore outbreaks, but higher doses â above 3 grams per day â seemed to have a positive effect on patients. In contrast, a Cochrane review found that lysine offered no preventative effects against cold sores.
Also Check: How Do You Transfer Herpes
Lysine For Feline Herpesvirus: Does It Help
Often when someone says their cat has an upper respiratory infection, they are advised by friends who have had cats for years that they should sprinkle some lysine on the sick kittys food. However, a look over the body of research available indicates that lysine supplementation does not help cats with Feline Herpesvirus .
Also Check: How To Test For Genital Herpes Without Symptoms
Healing Benefits Of L
L-lysine is a foundational amino acid that is most commonly known as being a building block of protein and as a helpful supplement for preventing and addressing cold sores. But L-lysine offers much more than this.
Powerful Weapon Against Viruses
L-lysine doesnt just fight the Herpes Simplex virus that causes cold sores. It hinders and stops all herpetic family viruses, which is critical because this family of viruses are responsible for hundreds of different chronic symptoms and illnesses that millions of people across the globe are suffering with. Medical science and research does not yet know this, which is one of the main reasons so many still suffer. If the true cause of so many illnesses and symptoms isnt yet known by medical communities, how can someone get the answers they need to heal and end their suffering from their doctor or natural health practitioner? Thankfully, the Medical Medium information is reaching more and more doctors and health practitioners who are using it to help their patients and clients recover their health.
L-lysine is a powerful weapon against cancers, liver disease, inflammation, and all of the symptoms and conditions caused by viruses, which means all of the above and more.
Liver and Immune System Support
Anti-Inflammatory
Anthony William, Inc. Disclaimer for Medical Medium Blog
Thanks for printing this post. For more, visit www.medicalmedium.com
Also Check: How To Treat Constipation Caused By Herpes
Foods To Help Reduce The Frequency Of Herpes Outbreaks
The Canadian Government recently recognized that a diet rich in the amino acid l-lysine may help protect against oral herpes outbreaks. In fact, in Canada l-lysine supplements can now make a cold sore treatment label claim. The United States FDA has not yet followed suit. However, for those who suffer from herpes outbreaks a diet rich in l-lysine, and low in l-arginine is well worth trying.
The easy method of increasing lysine intake is to take an l-lysine supplement. However, you can also examine this list of foods that are rich in lysine and those rich in arginine :
Eat these Foods Rich in Lysine
- Apples, mangoes, apricots, pears .
Avoid these foods rich in Arginine
In addition, some experts recommend an alkaline diet, which consists of foods that are low in acid. Heres a list of acidic and alkaline foods.
Eat these alkaline foods:
- Peppers, asparagus and parsley
In addition, immune-boosting herbs might help. Garlic, Olive Leaf, Echinacea, Propolis and Licorice have a traditional value in boosting the immune system. In Chinese medicine, Astragalus is often prescribed for those suffering from oral herpes.
There is not a cure for herpes – but you may be able to keep the condition in check with a proper diet.