Herbal Remedies May Also Offer Relief
Research supports the use of certain botanical remedies. You may want to try one or more of these:
Long dan xie gan tan This Chinese herbal formula has been used to quell symptoms and reduce herpes outbreaks. Its English name is clear liver fire pills. In at least one study, the formulawas shown to inhibit the activity of -1 and HSV-2.
Chinese herbal medicine is always individualized, and there are other formulas that help too, so it is helpful to consult a licensed acupuncturist or herbalist before starting this formula, says Mindich.
Mushrooms Mushrooms boost the immune system, Mindich says, and thus can help prevent recurrent herpes outbreaks. She recommends mushroom products from the Immune & Protection collection of Host Defense and from Myko San. Eating shiitake mushrooms daily has also been found to have a positive effect on the immune system in a study published in April 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Lemon balm This herb, which is related to mint, has traditionally been used to improve brain function and also has antiviral properties. Records concerning the medicinal use of lemon balm date back more than 2,000 years.
Lemon balm can be prepared and drunk as a tea. It can also be applied to the skin to both prevent herpes to prevent outbreaks and reduce symptoms. Research has shown that lemon balm oil directly counteracts herpes viruses.
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Lysine For Herpes: Does It Work
It is actually rumored that the essential lysine acid treats herpes. This notion is already actually a theory and has a lot of logical explanation to back it off.
Lysine is amongst the essential amino acids that have a crucial role in your body. In fact, it is such a crucial kind of amino acid that it is one of the main components of the protein structure. Protein is such an important part of the human body because protein is one of the macronutrients that makes it all up. Protein has a lot of roles imaginable, and it is involved in the synthesis of certain enzymes and substances in our body. The tissues and lining in our body are made up of protein actually. With this being said, it is undeniably necessary for our body to have the lysine amino acid to have a completely working protein. It is true that the lysine essential amino acids most important contribution is to compose the structural system of protein but aside from that though, does it have other rules? It is actually rumored that the essential lysine acid treats herpes. This notion is already actually a theory and has a lot of logical explanation to back it off. Let delve into further in this article and let us try to find out whether these theories are true.
What The Research Says
If you eat a balanced diet that includes red meat, fish, and dairy products, you probably consume enough lysine. Its also widely advertised as a dietary supplement. In the body, lysine knocks out another protein building block, or amino acid, called arginine. To boost the effect of lysine, avoid arginine-rich foods such as nuts and seeds.
A large review concluded that L-lysine had no reliable effect on cold sores. In a smaller study that seemed to show an effect, participants took an average of just over 900 milligrams of the supplement daily for six months. At this or even higher levels, L-lysine appears to have no toxic effects.
Whether L-lysine is likely to work on reducing the intensity or duration of shingles symptoms is a separate question.
Theres not a shred of evidence that it works, says Aaron Glatt, MD, chairman of the department of medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospital and spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Its probably not dangerous, but I wouldnt tell someone to spend money on it.
If youd like to explore L-lysine as a treatment option for shingles, make an appointment with your doctor. You can discuss whether its the right treatment for you.
More research is needed to determine the short- and long-term effects of taking L-lysine supplements. A number of side effects have been reported with L-lysine ingestion, although it isnt clear whether theyre consistent.
Possible side effects include:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
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What Do The Studies Show
Some studies have shown that taking lysine on a regular basis can reduce the duration of cold sores symptoms. One study found that 3 grams a day for a period of six months reduced the number of cold sores and shortened the healing time . Another study showed that lysine accelerated the healing process for 87% of participants, reducing the average time from 21 days to 6 days . A comparable result was reported in a 12-month double-blind, crossover study with 1 gram of lysine per day .
Experts generally agree that lysine may not prevent cold sores but may reduce recurrences or the severity of symptoms. A review published in 2017 concluded that more, longer-term studies are needed for daily doses of lysine in excess of 1.2 grams to definitively test the role of lysine in the prevention of the herpes virus .
Note that not only the absolute amount of lysine but also the ratio of lysine to arginine plays a role. Foods that have a relatively high ratio of lysine to arginine are yogurt, cheese and goats milk. Nuts, sesame seeds and snails have a high ratio of arginine to lysine .
Can You Use Supplements And Vitamins For Herpes
Before we get into the benefits of specific vitamins, minerals and supplements, lets clear up a common misconception.
Currently, there is no cure for herpes. Boom. Period. Herpes is a lifelong infection that can only be treated, not cured. This means you can and should ignore any claims made by makers of supplements that their products can cure herpes. They cant, and they wont.
Its also important to remember that vitamins, supplements and other natural products arent as effective at treating herpes as real antiviral drugs like valacyclovir . If you have herpes, the optimal approach is to use antiviral drugs as a first priority, with vitamins and supplements as a second defense.
However, some vitamins, minerals and other health supplements may have benefits for treating herpes. Its important to remember this distinction, as theres a big difference between treating a virus and curing it completely.
Read Also: Can Herpes Make You Sick
What Does Lysine Have To Do With Herpes
One other function of lysine well, not so much a function as an effect is that it competes with another amino acid known as arginine for space in our cells. Each of our cells has little tiny doors on them through which certain substances may pass.
Think of those little doors as the holes in the childs toy where the objective is to put the round object through the round hole and the square object through the square hole. The round object will not go through the square hole and vice versa.
Lysine and arginine are like two different colored square blocks. They are both competing to get through the square doors on the cell walls. Only one can pass at a time, so if there are tons of lysine blocks and only a few arginine blocks duking it out at the cell door trying to be the one that gets through, by simple probability there will be more lysine blocks that will make it in than arginine before there is no more room.
Why Our Bodies Need Lysine
Our bodies build proteins by stringing together amino acids in a chain. In order to build proteins, it is necessary to have all of the necessary amino acids present. Our bodies produce some of these proteins, but there are some we are unable to synthesize. These are known as essential amino acids because they are essential for us to get in order to survive. If you are missing just one amino acid, proteins cannot be synthesized. When we cannot synthesize proteins, we cannot grow or repair our bodies.
Think of it like building a house. If you have lumber, shingles, and concrete for the foundation you are pretty well on your way to having a nice home. Without nails, though, you wont get very far. Essential amino acids are like the nails.
Lysine is more than just a building block of protein. It also helps to convert fatty acids into energy and lower cholesterol. Lysine helps with the absorption of calcium from the diet and is an important component of collagen which is a connective tissue that holds our bodies together.
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If You Have Symptoms Find Out What Youre Dealing With
With genital herpes, the biggest mistake people make is not seeking medical advice, says Gade.
People often find the signs or symptoms of a first herpes outbreak confusing, says Gade. You may mistake herpes symptoms for those of a and try curing that condition on your own. But if your healthcare provider diagnoses you with herpes, the first line of treatment will be antiviral medications.
, you can make matters worse by putting things on the herpes sores that you shouldnt put on the sores, she says. People often try using Vaseline, , or Aquaphor to soothe the itchy or painful eruptions.
Honestly, not putting anything on the sores is best, says Gade. Do keep the area clean and dry, though.
Warm compresses applied to tender or painful areas can help. So can sitting in a warm bath, using .
Sometimes people have enormous pain with urination, says Gade. For relief, you can urinate in your bathwater or while taking a shower to dilute the urine stream and lessen the sensation. You can also use warm water in a spray bottle to dilute the stream while youre urinating.
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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.
How Does L Lysine Help With Herpes
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BY MOUTH: For cold sores : 1000 mg of lysine taken daily in up to two divide doses for up to 12 months, or 1000 mg taken three times daily for 6 months has been used. For preventing cold sores from recurring, 500-1248 mg taken daily or 1000 mg taken three times daily has been used.
Also, what vitamins help with herpes? Supplements
- Zinc. Taking zinc may reduce how many herpes outbreaks you experience each year.
- Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B complex supplements contain all of the B-class vitamins.
- Lysine. Lysine is an amino acid that your body uses for digestion and healthy cell growth.
- Probiotics.
Consequently, how much lysine should I take during an outbreak?
Dosage for treating or preventing cold soresTo treat a cold sore infection, apply lysine cream to the affected area every two hours for 11 days. To manage cold sore infections, the recommended dosage for oral supplements is 1 gram three times daily. To help prevent them, the dosage is 1 gram daily.
What are the benefits of taking lysine?
4 Impressive Health Benefits of Lysine
- May Protect Against and Treat Cold Sores by Blocking Arginine.
- May Reduce Anxiety by Blocking Stress Response Receptors.
- May Improve Calcium Absorption and Retention.
- Can Promote Wound Healing by Helping Create Collagen.
- Top Food Sources and Supplements.
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The Lysine Essential Amino Acid Treatment For Herpes
The lysine essential amino acid is not considered a treatment for herpes simplex virus infection. In modern medicine, the lysine essential amino acid is acknowledged as an alternative medicine for the herpes virus infection. The medical world is set to research on the relevancy of the lysine essential amino acid in treating the herpes simplex virus infection due to the factual reports, that people that are strict vegans are at risk with the herpes simplex virus infection. The vegan diets main mantra is to keep the meat and poultry products intake to a minimum. A diet without meat is a diet that is most likely low in protein. Without protein, lysine essential amino acid is impossible to have.
So how do the lysine essential amino acid inhibit the viral replication of herpes?
The mechanism to which the theory of the lysine essential amino acid treatment for herpes viral infection roots on the idea that the lysine essential amino acid disrupts the balance of lysine and arginine metabolism. The Herpes simplex virus produces more arginine than lysine inside the human body once it establishes its domain on the host. The increase in the levels of lysine in the body creates an imbalance between the lysine and arginine metabolism, thus, rendering the blocking of further viral replication.
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 .
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Editorial Sources And Fact
Get Plenty Of Sleep For Better Physical And Mental Health
Americans are notoriously sleep deprived, but if you have genital herpes, buck this unhealthy trend. Getting plenty of quality sleep affects every aspect of your life your physical and mental health, performance at school or work, and appearance.
To improve your sleep , follow some quick tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Other Cold Sore Treatment Options
While it’s uncertain whether taking an oral lysine supplement or using a cream containing lysine could provide the results you may be looking for, it’s 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 you’re 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.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Kidney disease: There is one report of kidney disease linked with taking lysine supplements. If you have a kidney disease, check with your healthcare provider before taking lysine.
Osteoporosis: Using Lysine with calcium supplements might increase calcium absorption.
Intolerance to lysinuric protein: Lysine supplementation might cause diarrhea and stomach cramps in children who are intolerant to lysinuric protein.
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Other Treatment For Oral Herpes
Oral herpes typically goes away within 2 weeks if your immune system is healthy. But treatment will boost the healing the process. Apart from lysine, antiviral medications are beneficial. Your doctor most commonly prescribe
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
These medicines help to get rid of your oral herpes fast and prevent the number of herpes outbreaks well. ProsurX is another topical cream you should consider. With FDA approved ingredients, this cream removes herpes both on the skins surface and deep skin layers. Thanks to that, its hard for the HSV retuning. Interestingly, it can work for both oral and genital herpes. No matter what triggers your oral herpes, its important to receive treatments to treat it quickly.
Antiviral medications are commonly prescribed for herpes