Safe Profile And Optimal Dosing
Oral supplementation with quercetin up to 1 g/day for 3 months has not resulted in significant adverse effects . In a randomized placebo-controlled study, 30 patients with chronic prostatitis were supplemented with oral quercetin and reported only two mild adverse reactions . Intravenous administration of quercetin in a phase I clinical trial for cancer patients resulted in nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dyspnea at doses > 10.5 mg/Kg . Only higher intravenously administered doses up to 51.3 mg/Kg were associated with renal toxicity . The safety of quercetin-based oral supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
We have previously described the safety profile and dosing strategies of vitamin C . According to the data presented above, we propose the following optimal dosing . Further studies are needed to examine and discuss the possible administration of quercetin for prolonged periods of time .
Table 1. Proposed multi-drug approach for either the prophylaxis for high risk population, and treatment of mild and severe cases.
Intravenous Administration Of Vitamin C In The Treatment Of Herpes Zoster
Ming Fang
Abstract
1. Background
Herpes zoster is an acute inflammatory neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus that remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia or cranial nerve ganglia after initial infection . Postherpetic neuralgia , which is the most frequent chronic complication of HZ and the most common peripheral neuropathic pain resulting from infection, is defined as pain persisting more than 30 days after the onset of the rash in the same affected dermatome . Patients with PHN may suffer from continuous or paroxysmal pain, which can be characterized by hyperaesthesia, hyperalgesia, and allodynia . It is estimated that the annual incidence of acute HZ is 2.04.6 cases per 1000 persons in Europe , and the incidence of PHN following HZ is 1020%, rising significantly from the age of 50 years , while in patients in their 80s, the incidence of PHN is over 30% .
2. Case Report 1
3. Case Report 2
4. Literature Review
4.1. Herpes Zoster-Associated Pain and Several Analgesic Mechanisms of Vitamin C
Chen et al. found that plasma vitamin C concentration was lower in PHN patients than in healthy volunteers. They subsequently conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and found that short-term intravenous administration of large doses of vitamin C helped attenuate spontaneous pain. Currently, vitamin C has been postulated to alleviate HZ-associated pain through several possible mechanisms of action.
5. Conclusion
Beneficial Effects Of Vitamin C And Quercetin In Viral Infections
There is a tremendous amount of literature supporting the antiviral properties of quercetin, in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Quercetin inhibits several respiratory viruses in cultured cells . It inhibits the cytopathic effects provoked by many serotypes of rhinovirus, echovirus , coxsackievirus , and poliovirus at a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.03 to 0.5 g/ml in Hela or WI-38 cells . Quercetin also significantly reduces plaque formation by RNA and DNA viruses displaying anti-infective and anti-replicative properties . It inhibits the replication of cytomegalovirus inoculated HeLa cells at a half inhibitory concentration of 3.2 ± 0.8 M and with a selectivity index of 22 . Dengue virus type 2 replication in Vero cells is inhibited by quercetin at an IC50 of 35.7 g/mL, causing a DENV-2 RNA reduction of 67%. This is attributed to quercetin’s ability to either block virus entry or inhibit viral replication enzymes such as viral polymerases .
The only human study of vitamin C has been in USSR soldiers with severe viral infection indicated vitamin C supplementation protected from influenza-associated pneumonia and was associated with shorter hospital stays .
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What Triggers Herpes Outbreaks
2018 article , the initial outbreak of genital herpes is usually the result of skin contact, normally during sexual activity, including oral sex. Further outbreaks can be caused by having multiple sexual partners, stress, sunlight, colds, menstruation, and wearing tight clothes.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association writes that cold sores can be triggered by stress, fatigue, colds, flu, strong sunlight, and menstruation.
How To Naturally Get Rid Of The Symptoms Of Herpes Or Cold Sores
Herpes virus, even known as cold sores, is a tiny virus that affects a lot of people. It caused by HSV-1 virus and is transmitted from person to another very easily. The herpes virus can live inactive within a persons immune system for a lifetime, causing periodically wounds or ulcers. When there is no treatment, symptoms of herpes usually last for 10-14 days, causing redness, pain and burning sensation. By boosting the immune system through a healthy diet, changing the lifestyle you can help keep the virus inactive.
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Faqs About Herpes Supplements
Q: What is genital herpes?
A: Genital herpes is caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus. It is a sexually transmitted disease, typically referred to as HSV 1 or HSV 2.
Q: What is oral herpes?
A: Oral herpes impacts the mouth, leaving cold sores and blisters around the area. It is caused by HSV 1, and most people who suffer from it contracted it with a non-sexual contact when they were in their childhood. It can be transferred with saliva.
Q: How is genital and oral herpes connected?
A: The majority of cases of oral herpes come from HSV 1. However, genital herpes is predominantly caused by HSV 2. Oral sex can spread both of these conditions, which is how some genital herpes cases are connected to HSV 1.
Q: How common is genital herpes?
A: Based on statistics regarding Americans from age 14 to 49, about 12% of this demographic is diagnosed with genital herpes. It attacks the immune system of one out of every eight people.
Q: How is genital herpes spread?
Q: Is it possible to contract herpes from a toilet seat, hotel bedding, swimming pool, cutlery, or other objects?
A: Even though these ideas have been spread through myths and rumors, there is no way that consumers can get herpes from touching a household object that someone else is handling, according to the CDC.
Q: How can consumers reduce their risk of genital herpes?
Q: Is it possible to protect the body from contracting herpes by using a condom?
Q: How do consumers know if they have herpes?
Try Taking The Supplement Lysine
In terms of taking supplements to prevent breakouts, I especially recommend L-lysine. This is the primary supplement for herpes, Gade says. L-lysine is an amino acid, a building block of protein. When you have an outbreak, it can be taken orally to shorten the outbreak in conjunction with an antiviral medication.
Lysine appears to be useful in reducing the number and the severity of outbreaks. The usual daily dose is between 1 and 3 milligrams.
Some studies suggest that taking lysine regularly may help prevent outbreaks of both cold sores and herpes sores. In Gades experience, patients have had no side effects using lysine. In some people, though, there have been reports of the supplement causing abdominal pain and diarrhea, so discuss with your doctor before taking long-term.
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The Best 3 Topical Uses Of Vitamins And Supplements For Herpes Simplex Virus
Vitamins and supplements dont need to be used in pill or liquid forms alone. They may also prove valuable in topical form.
Talk to your doctor to see if any of these three best topical uses of vitamins and supplements for herpes simplex virus could work for you:
- – Zinc treatment four times daily for four days
- – Vitamin E oil placed on sores for 15 minutes, up to three times daily for three days
- – Lemon balm extract applied four times daily for five days
Each of these topical treatments has been shown through studies and anecdotal evidence to reduce pain, decrease the frequency of outbreaks, and accelerate healing in patients with genital herpes sores.
Vitamin Deficiency May Affect Herpes
Scientific data show that a deficiency of some vitamins and minerals can negatively affect your immune system. For example, micronutrient deficiencies such as zinc and selenium in some studies have been linked to a weakened immune system.
This means that if you are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals, there is a risk that your immune system will be weakened.
The herpes virus usually starts as an early outbreak that can last for several weeks. As your body begins its immune response, the virus travels back to the nerve ganglia, where it remains dormant amid the outbreak.
A weakened immune system increases the risk of recurrence of the virus and increases the risk of spreading oral or genital herpes.
This makes it important to maintain a healthy immune system if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2, especially if you experience symptoms of the virus.
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Treatment Of Herpes With Ascorbic Acid
Is it possible to Treatment of herpes with ascorbic acid ? Can this vitamin be effective in treating viral infections, lets see the answer in the text below.
Herpes is the name of a group of viruses that cause blisters and painful sores. Many people with herpes never have symptoms. Symptoms are sometimes mild and are confused with another skin condition, and during the first outbreak , they may experience flu-like symptoms.
These include body aches, fevers and headaches. Many people with herpes infection occasionally develop sores and symptoms that are usually less common each time.
There is currently no complete cure for herpes. Herpes is a lifelong infection that can only be cured, not cured.
What Is Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays many important roles in our body, and is critical to the formation of many different tissues.
Vitamin C is a necessary vitamin for producing collagen in the skin, says Dr. Ioannis Liakas, medical doctor and medical director at Vie Aesthetics . Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals, maintaining the skin and various tissues in our body tough, yet flexible. In general, a vitamin C deficiency is linked to a weakened immune system and an increase in the risk of infections. Ascorbic acid also helps with the production of hormones, energy metabolism, neutralizing free radicals and absorbing iron in the digestive tract.
Dr. Ioannis Liakas has decades of experience as an NHS Consultant of Internal Medicine and Gerontologist in the U.K. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians , Honorary Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary Medical School, and a Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine.
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Does Vitamin C Help With The Prevention Of Colds
According to the Nutrients journal, vitamin C is critical for maintaining the integrity of our epithelial barriers all of the surfaces that stop any external contaminants from entering our body. Skin and intestinal walls are good examples of epithelial barriers.
Vitamin C also helps to protect our skin from pathogens by strengthening its structure and promoting its ability to scavenge free radicals, and enhances the ability of our immune system to detect and destroy microbes before they start posing danger to our health. So in theory, vitamin C should protect us from these minor respiratory infections.
But according to a major Cochrane systematic review , there is no evidence that vitamin C supplementation reduces the incidence of colds in the general population. However, it may be useful for people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise. Intense exercise significantly increases oxidative stress and as such, it may weaken the epithelial barriers and increase the chance of catching infections.
Topical Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. To reap some of these benefits, mix one part ACV with three parts warm water and apply it to the affected area.
Eating certain foods and avoiding others may boost your immune system and, in turn, help your body respond to the herpes virus.
Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that changing your diet could help prevent outbreaks.
Although more research is needed, clinical evidence does support some of these claims.
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Foods That Can Aggravate Herpes
Certain foods can cause inflammation, weaken the bodys immune defense system and further aggravate skin irritation. Avoid as much as possible the following foods to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Foods rich in L-arginine
Arginine is an amino acid with opposite action from lysine. In particular, arginine is essential for the reproduction of the virus. It is recommended in periods of high intensity and anxiety to reduce the consumption of foods rich in L-arginine, such as wheat, oat, nuts , pumpkin seeds, chocolate and spirulina. Attention to supplements for athletes, as they are often good sources of arginine.
Sugar
High consumption of sugar suppresses immune function and can aggravate inflammation. Caution is needed as sugar is usually hidden in various foods we consume every day, such as bottled drinks, packaged snacks as well as products such as yogurt, cereals, biscuits, granola and muesli.
Alcohol
High amounts of alcohol suppress immune function and can aggravate symptoms such as fatigue, pain and inflammation of the skin.
Inhibition Of Reverse Transcriptase
Quercetin has been investigated in vitro as an antiviral agent for HIV due to its ability to inhibit crucial enzymes: reverse transcriptase , integrase , and protease . Quercetin significantly reduces HIV viral replication and, when added to peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with HIV and compared to HIV infected controls, quercetin reduced the levels of p24, Long Terminal Repeat gene expression, and viral infectivity together with an inhibition of TNF- and upregulation of IL-13 .
Quercetin has also been shown to inhibit non-HIV RT activity in vitro, including avian myeloblastosis reverse transcriptase , Rous-associated virus-2 , and Maloney murine leukemia virus . Quercetin displayed a dose-dependent inhibitory action: at 50 M, 23% inhibition of both AMV-RT and RAV-2-RT, and at 10 M inhibition of mammalian MMLV-RT of almost 60% were reached . HIV-RT was inhibited completely at 2 g/ml quercetin in a partially-competitive mode . These antiviral effects of quercetin are believed to be related to the five hydroxyl groups on 3, 3, 4, 5, and 7 as the inhibitory activity is lower for baicalein, quercetagetin, or luteolin which lack these groups .
Interestingly, Harakeh et al. studied the dose-dependent effect of ascorbic acid on HIV-infected T-lymphocytes in vitro and reported that > 99% reverse transcriptase and nearly > 90% p24 antigen suppression and a 93% inhibition of syncytia formation, a marker that correlates with viral infectivity and cytopathic effects .
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Quercetin And Vitamin C: An Experimental Synergistic Therapy For The Prevention And Treatment Of Sars
- 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
- 2Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
- 3Policlinico Umberto I, La Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Peter’s Hospital, Surrey, United Kingdom
- 5School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
Foods And Substances In The Treatment Of Herpes
Foods rich in L-lysine
Lysine is an amino acid that can prevent the reproduction of herpes virus. It can help treat and prevent herpes. Good food sources of lysine are legumes , fish , red and white meat , parmesan and some vegetables. People who are prone to herpes can for a short time take L-lysine supplements 1,000mg three times a day.
Antioxidants
Colorful red, orange and green vegetables contain antioxidants such as carotenoids, bioflavonoids and vitamin C that help heal wounds on the skin, while also strengthening the bodys immune system. Vitamin C enhances immune function by improving and reducing the duration of herpes symptoms. Since vitamin C intake through diet is insufficient, vitamin C supplementation of 1,000 mg per day is recommended.
Propolis
It is a natural substance produced by bees. Propolis is rich in antioxidants and is one of the most powerful antimicrobial elements of nature. It reduces pain and time of wound healing, compared to classical antiviral ointments, while creating a layer of lip protection. Beware of allergies.
Zinc
Zinc takes part in many chemical reactions involving wound healing, skin repair and defense mechanisms from viruses or infections. It is a very important micronutrient, as it helps keep herpes virus inactive. Rich sources of zinc are meat , pumpkin seeds, nuts and various vegetables such as spinach. In addition, you can take 30 mg zinc supplement twice a day.
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Best For Online Consultations: Lemonaid
- Price: $25 for consultation and prescription, cost of medication varies
- Pros: convenient online appointments and medication delivery
- Cons: does not accept insurance for consultations
This telehealth company provides prescription medications for herpes.
People must fill in an online health questionnaire and provide a photo ID. Depending on the state a person resides in, Lemonaid may require a video or telephone consultation with a healthcare professional.
The company offers preventive treatment with a prescription that lasts for 1 year or immediate treatment for current herpes flare-ups.
People can choose home delivery or pick up their medication at a local pharmacy.
However, Lemonaid does not offer genital herpes prescription medications for people using the service for the first time. In this case, users must go to a doctor or gynecologist for an initial diagnosis.
The majority of Lemonaid consultation fees cost a flat rate of $25. This fee does not cover the cost of medication.
Does Vitamin C Help With The Treatment Of Colds
According to the Nutrients journal, vitamin C helps increase the production and proliferation of B- and T-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes make antibodies proteins that bind to bacteria and viruses. This process helps our immune system identify them as foreign bodies. The role of T-lymphocytes is to destroy these marked unwanted visitors. So again, in theory, vitamin C should help us shorten the duration and ease the symptoms of common colds.
And according to a meta-analysis published in the Biomed Research International journal, vitamin C can indeed help shorten the duration of colds. The time for symptom improvement and overall recovery time were better with vitamin C supplementation than with antiviral therapy alone. Results from another meta-analysis published in the Biomed Research International journal suggest that taking extra therapeutic doses at the onset of cold may also help shorten the duration of cold, as well as relieve the symptoms like chest pain, fever and chills.
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