Epstein-Barr virus is a common virus affecting many Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that up to 95 percent of all adults in the United States between the ages of 35 and 40 have been infected with this virus. Epstein-Barr virus is a type of herpesvirus. Consult your family physician before using diet and nutrition to help treat your Epstein-Barr virus signs and symptoms.
Infectious Mononucleosis
Epstein-Barr virus is most well known for causing infectious mononucleosis. Infectious mononucleosis, notes the National Center for Biotechnology Information, is especially common among teenagers and is passed from one person to another via saliva. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms associated with infectious mononucleosis include headache, sore throat, fatigue, lethargy, reduced appetite, muscle stiffness throughout your body, sore throat and fever. Because there is no known cure for the Epstein-Barr virus, treatments for this condition involve controlling symptoms.
An Appropriate Diet
An appropriate diet in treating Epstein-Barr virus and infectious mononucleosis involves the consumption of a diet consisting of at least 50 percent raw foods, notes certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Increasing your consumption of root vegetables and whole grains, especially brown rice, as well as garlic and shiitake and maitake mushrooms may be helpful for this health purpose. Consider avoiding processed and refined foods, coffee, fried foods and sugar.
A Beneficial Food
Shiitake mushrooms may be a beneficial food in treating your Epstein-Barr virus infection and infectious mononucleosis. According to nutritionist and biologist George Mateljan, author of "The World's Healthiest Foods," shiitake mushrooms contain an active compound known as lentinan that possesses the ability to strengthen your immune system and improve its ability to fight infection and disease. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in iron and vitamin C and contain significant amounts of protein and dietary fiber.
Disclaimer
If you are diagnosed with an Epstein-Barr virus infection, discuss all relevant treatment methods with your primary care provider. A health care practitioner who specializes in clinical nutrition can counsel you on the risks, benefits and limitations of dietary measures in combating this illness as well as what foods may be most likely to help treat your symptoms. The use of certain foods for this health purpose does not guarantee a cure or even a beneficial health outcome.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Mononucleosis
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The World's Healthiest Foods"; George Mateljan; 2007
