Herpes is a painful viral disease that affects the nerve endings of the skin. Although herpes is a serious illness, it is rarely life threatening. A healthy diet and nutritional supplements can support the immune system and thereby speed recovery time. Some supplements are toxic in high doses, however, so you should consult your health care practitioner before taking any new supplement.
L-lysine
L-lysine is an amino acid found naturally in many protein-rich foods. Studies have shown that when the amount of lysine that is present in the body exceeds the amount of l-arginine, the growth and replication of the herpes virus becomes inhibited. As such, the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, or CSNN, recommends taking 3 to 6g daily of l-lysine on an empty stomach during a herpes outbreak. To prevent recurrences, take 500mg three times daily. For the best results, do not take this supplement with milk, because dairy products reduce l-lysine absorption. Also, you should not supplement with l-lysine for longer than 6 months at a time.
Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which help support the immune system. Fish oil also contains EPA, which is a type of omega-3 that helps prevent damage and inflammation of the skin. As such, fish oil supplements can help reduce the severity and inflammation of herpes sores. CSNN recommends taking a fish oil supplement that provides 1g of EPA daily.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and an immune supporting substance. It is needed to prevent the formation of herpes sores and to inhibit the growth of the herpes virus. In addition, CSNN says that it can speed recovery time and reduce the intensity of lesion pain and tingling. For therapeutic purposes, nutrition author Phyllis Balch recommends taking 5000 to 10000mg of vitamin C daily. Choose a supplement that also contains bioflavanoids, because they enhance the absorption of vitamin C.
B Vitamins
The B vitamins combat the herpes virus and help prevent it from spreading. Balch says that they also work synergistically with lysine and when the two are taken together, the effectiveness of both supplements is enhanced. As such, Balch recommends taking a B50 complex supplement, which is a B vitamin that contains 50mg of all of the important B vitamins, three times daily.
Quercetin
Finally, quercetin is a substance found naturally in food and CSNN says that it decreases inflammation and may prevent the replication of the herpes virus. CSNN therefore recommends taking 500mg of quercetin, three times daily. For the best results, take quercetin 15 minutes before meals.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
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