How Is Herpes Simplex Diagnosed
Healthcare providers may diagnose herpes simplex based on how the sores look. Your provider may take a sample from the sore. Laboratory analysis of the sample can confirm or rule out the herpes virus.
If you dont have sores, your healthcare provider can use a blood test to check for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody, a marker showing youve been exposed to the virus. The blood test doesnt show an active infection . But it informs your provider whether youve been exposed to the herpes virus in the past. If this is your first infection, you may not test positive for herpes if there hasnt been enough time for your body to develop antibodies. The HSV-1and HSV-2 antibody test may be repeated in eight to 12 weeks.
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 May Help With Herpes
Herpes – blisters filled with secretions that appear on and around the lips – is an annoying symptom of the presence of the HSV-1 herpes virus in the body. HSV-1 becomes active during periods of decreased immunity and also as a result of chronic stress.
Lysine can be effective in preventing the formation of herpes, as well as in reducing it. Its properties and action in this aspect are based on hindering the replication and multiplication of the virus. Therefore, lysine eliminates the cause of the appearance of herpes to some extent. The HSV-1 virus uses another amino acid, arginine, for replication, and lysine blocks the virus’ access to it. One of the studies showed the positive properties of lysine at a dose of 1000 mg daily taken orally. Another one proved the effect of lysine as a cream on the skin.
The studies conducted so far include small groups of participants – about 30 people, and the results do not always indicate the effectiveness of lysine. It is important to keep this in mind and not to take lysine as a sure way to get rid of herpes.
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How Does Lysine Treat Herpes
One of the most notorious amino acids that actually aids the proliferation of herpes is arginine. While its beneficial for many metabolic, circulatory, and muscle-growth needs, the herpes virus depends on arginine for replication. So, where does Lysine come in?
Most of us know that when the virus penetrates a cell and becomes active, its ready for replication with symptoms manifest on the surface of the skin. This results in an outbreak. While cures are hard to come by, Lysine can help to stop the viral replication process that leads to a flareup.
Its been well-studied that both lysine and arginine compete for absorption into the bodys cells. Since they share the same transport systems, a diet rich in Lysine versus arginine can help to inhibit HSV. Lysine also blocks Arginine from being of use in the body.
In the reverse, a high amino acid ratio of Arginine to Lysine can be shown to inhibit Lysine function in the body.
The bottom line is, both amino acids are important in the body for many reasons than we have time to share. But, when suffering with a flareup or trying to prevent a breakout, keeping your Lysine intake higher versus an arginine intake can help to keep the itch and blisters at bay.
To prove Lysines benefits when it comes to practical use and treatment of herpes, a study showed that it decreased the number of breakouts, reduced severity, and sped up healing time.
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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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Adverse Effects And Interactions
In the last 10 years, the FDA has become concerned over the safety of AA supplements in the wake of 24 reported deaths in 1988 from eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome linked to a contaminated batch of L-tryptophan.18 In 1992, the Life Sciences Research Office did not reach a conclusion on the safety of lysine, but stated that its use for HSV suppression was not associated with adverse effects.3
Multiple animal studies suggest that large doses of oral LMH have no adverse clinical, hematologic, or pathologic side effects.3 Some studies done in rat pups have shown that lysine-rich and arginine-poor diets cause growth retardation.3 Intravenous lysine has been associated with renal toxicity and death in rats at doses greater than 4 g/kg of body weight.3
Human studies of LMH have not reported any significant toxicity. At the highest doses of 3,000 mg/d, only a few cases of dyspepsia were noted.10 However, there is one report of tubulointerstitial nephritis which could have been caused by long-term use of 3 g LMH daily.19
There are no reported adverse interactions with LMH. Animal data suggest that LMH is safe in pregnancy and lactation.3 However, there are no human safety data on LMH in pregnancy or lactation.
What Can I Eat
A cold sore outbreak cannot be stopped once you have it. What you can do is eat food that helps in preventing the outbreaks. Lysine blocks arginine, and stops the virus from replicating. Lysine-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, milk, cheese and fish are helpful in strengthening your immune system and preventing cold sore.
As for foods during an outbreak, cold foods, vegetable juices, and warm soups can satisfy your hunger while preventing the sore from being aggravated.
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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.
Risks And Side Effects
L-lysine supplements have been known to cause some minor side effects, although consuming natural sources of lysine is not proven to have the same effect. These side effects include stomach pain and diarrhea.
There has also been one report of kidney disease linked with lysine supplements, so patients with kidney and liver impairment should use caution and consult with their health care providers before beginning to take a lysine product.
Because its effects on pregnant mothers has not been researched at length, those who are pregnant and/or nursing should avoid taking L-lysine supplements.
While L-lysine benefits those with a large number of diseases, there is evidence that it can increase the viral load of HIV patients. For this reason, those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS should not take L-lysine supplements and consume high-lysine foods only .
On the positive side, scientists discovering this phenomenon are now able to use this to speed up testing of HIV-fighting treatments.
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How Does Lysine Help
Here is where Lysine supplements come into the picture. Lysine is an essential amino acid which means that is can only be obtained through the diet. It is essential to many of lifes processes and is found naturally in foods.
How Lysine helps with herpes is that it has the potential to counteract some of the bodys production of Arginine. This is a natural process that happens when you eat foods that contain Lysine. This is the way the body works.
You can take advantage of this natural chemistry by taking a Lysine supplement which will help cancel out foods that you eat that contain excessive amounts of Arginine and not much Lysine. It only makes a mild difference by delicately balancing out foods that can tip the scale in favor of Arginine, which have the potential to provoke an outbreak for some people.
Where Is Lysine Found
Your body cant manufacture lysine, so the only way to get it is through your diet.ii As one of the building blocks of protein, lysine is found in many protein-rich foods such as red meat, fish and dairy products.i If you eat these foods as part of a balanced and healthy diet, your body will get ample amounts of lysine.
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How Lysine Affects You
Like many amino acids, lysine is used to build muscles and collagen, which is an important constituent of cartilage, connective tissue and skin. âBiochemistry of Human Nutritionâ author, George Gropper, reports that lysine has other important roles in your body, such as promoting absorption of calcium from the intestines, facilitating the manufacture of enzymes, hormones and antibodies, and stimulating the production of creatinine. Creatinine is used by the body to help convert fatty acids into usable forms of energy. If also reduces blood levels of LDL, the âbadâ cholesterol. In âAdvanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism,â Carolyn D. Berdanier et al., explain lysine is also taken as a supplement to reduce the symptoms created by cold sores and genital herpes, which are caused by different forms of the herpes simplex virus, and shingles, caused by the herpes zoster virus. Specifically, lysine is able to reduce viral uptake of arginine, which inhibits replication.
Best Herpes Supplements Top Remedy Products For Outbreaks
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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.
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Best Foods + Worst Foods To Avoid Herpes Outbreaks
Foods for herpes might relieve symptoms from HSV. Cold sores from oral herpes and genital herpes can both benefit. Certain foods might help prevent herpes outbreaks, while others trigger them. Learn the best foods for herpes and the foods to avoid on a therapeutic herpes diet, plus the reasons why.
Medically reviewed by Meagan Fleming, RN on Jan. 1, 2019
Interactions With Supplements Foods & Other Compounds
Lysine supplementation increases the absorption of calcium and may reduce its excretion.1 As a result, some researchers believe that lysine may eventually be shown to have a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.2
Lysine works with other essential amino acids to maintain growth, lean body mass, and the bodys store of nitrogen.
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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
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Recommendations About Diet For Herpes Sufferers
In this section you will be able to read recommendations including which foods to eat and which to avoid in your diet and why.
The list of recommendations is listed first, followed by an explanation of each recommendation.
If you are infected with the herpes simplex virus, you should commit to the following recommendations:
- Eat a diet high in lysine and low in arginine.
- Say no to coffee, tea and chocolate.
- Do not eat moldy food.
- Avoid alcohol or reduce your alcohol intake to a minimum.
- Reduce sugar consumption.
- Eat a diet without processed foods.
- Avoid dehydration.
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Surprising Herpes Trigger Foods You Missed
In a word: GRAINS. Yes, grains
Grains are, after all, seeds. All seeds have a relatively high amount of amino acids and are going to flunk the Arginine:Lysine Ratio test. Look at the Arginine to Lysine ratio chart in the next paragraph and notice how prominent bread, cereal, rice, corn, oats, cake and cookies are. Even without nuts or chocolate. If they include nuts, chocolate or coconut flakes, youve really overdone it. Almond flour? Nope. Thats nuts again.
What Does L Lysine Do For The Body
Considering this, what are the benefits of 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.
Likewise, when should I take L Lysine? People usually take lysine by mouth, but they can also apply it to the skin, for instance, to treat cold sores. Experts believe that lysine is most effective when people take it with water on an empty stomach. Researchers estimate that a 70 kilogram person needs around 800â3,000 mg of lysine per day.
Similarly one may ask, what are the side effects of lysine?
Side effect of Lysine include:
- increased calcium absorption.
Does L Lysine make you gain weight?
It may help the body to keep the weight under control. Together with its fatty acids this supplement may help to burn calories, thus giving the body necessary source of energy. Lysine as an amino acid may boost the energy levels, promote weight loss process and supporting the digestive system.
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