Cold sores, also known as oral herpes, are a health problem caused by the herpes simplex virus. The Kids Health website states that cold sores are painful blisters that most commonly manifest on your lips, although they may also appear inside your mouth, in your nose and on your face. Before altering your diet to help treat your herpes cold sores, review the merits and drawbacks of this natural therapy with your primary care provider.
Cold Sores
Type 1 herpes simplex, the type of herpes virus that causes cold sores, affects numerous Americans. According to MedlinePlus, this virus infects greater than 50 percent of people in the U.S. by the time they are 20 years of age, although certain people do not develop any symptoms associated with this infection. Cold sores are one of the most common signs and symptoms of Type 1 herpes simplex infection. There is no known cure for this health problem.
Diet Plan
Certain dietary inclusions and exclusions may be helpful in treating your herpes cold sores. Naturopathic physicians Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, co-authors of "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," state that reducing your consumption of arginine-containing foods and boosting your intake of lysine-rich foods may be particularly beneficial for this health purpose. Examples of arginine-rich foods include peanuts, seeds, chocolate and almonds, while examples of lysine-rich foods include legumes, fish, turkey, chicken and most vegetables.
Useful Food
Turkey, due to its high lysine content, may be a useful food in treating your herpes cold sores. Turkey, notes biologist and nutritionist George Mateljan, author of "The World's Healthiest Foods," is an excellent source of protein and helps promotes energy production, heart health and optimal health. Turkey contains numerous important nutrients, including tryptophan, selenium, niacin, pyridoxine and phosphorus. Mateljan reports that turkey has a shelf life of about five to seven days if it is refrigerated.
Warning
The use of diet and nutrition in treating your herpes cold sores does not guarantee a cure or even a beneficial health result. Herpes is a condition that is best managed by a qualified health care professional, and you should avoid self-treating your condition using natural therapies until you have met with your doctor and discussed various diet-related topics, including potential drug interactions. Further scientific scrutiny may be required to evaluate the true health benefits of certain foods in treating your herpes cold sores.
References
- Kids Health: Cold Sores (HSV-1)
- MedlinePlus: Cold Sores
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.; 1998
- "The World's Healthiest Foods"; George Mateljan; 2007
