Cold sores are small outbreaks that occur around the mouth and lips, which can be either painless or painful but are nearly always embarrassing. According to San Diego Homeopathy, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Though antiviral medications are most often used to prevent and treat cold sores, changing a person's diet and obtaining specific nutrients through foods can also help to prevent cold sores.
Margarine
Margarine is a powerful substance when it comes to fighting cold sores. This is because margarine is high in lysine, an amino acid. San Diego Homeopathy explains that lysine helps to prevent and combat cold sores, while the amino acid arginine works in opposition, causing cold sores in people who have the herpes virus. The lysine to arginine ratio tells how well a food fights cold sores; the higher the score is, the better. San Diego Homeopathy states that margarine has the highest lysine-to-arginine ratio, with a ratio of 3 to 1.
Yogurt
Eating yogurt daily or several times a week can also help to reduce cold sore outbreaks. San Diego Homeopathy explains that there are about 706 milligrams (mg) of lysine in one serving of plain yogurt, while there are only 237mg of arginine in the same size. Thus, the lysine to arginine ratio of plain yogurt is 2.9 to 1. Fruit-flavored yogurt contains slightly more arginine, but it is still a good choice for fighting herpes outbreaks of cold sores. Yogurt made with skim milk contains more lysine than yogurt made with low-fat or whole milk, explains San Diego Homeopathy.
Avocados
Avocados are rich and creamy yet healthy. They have a lysine-to-arginine ratio of about 1.5 to 1, according to San Diego Homeopathy. Avocados are also full of vitamins and antioxidants. The Whole Health MD website states that flavonoids, which are natural plant compounds in avocados, can reduce cold sores from occurring. Avocados can be made into guacamole, added to sandwiches and salads or even eaten plain.
Beef
According to the Whole Health MD website, beef can help to fight cold sores in two different ways. First, it contains lysine, which suppresses the herpes simplex virus. Additionally, the mineral zinc found in beef can prevent the herpes virus from replicating and boost the immune system so that the herpes virus cannot take over, causing cold sores. People with a tendency to get cold sores may want to eat hamburgers or lean cuts of beef a few days a week.
