Genital warts are caused primarily by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which is actually a viral grouping consisting of dozens of different strains. HPV is also responsible for causing the warts that develop on hands and feet. Genital warts, which can be transmitted via sexual contact, have been linked to increased risks of cervical cancer in women. There is no recognized natural cure for genital warts, but some nutrients display antiviral properties and, thus, it may be of help to include those in your diet. Consult your doctor if you have genital warts.
Genital Warts
Genital wart infection is the most commonly transmitted sexual disease in the U.S. and is considered a significant cause of cervical cancer, which claims over 4,000 American women yearly. Genital warts often appear in numbers on the proximal shaft of the penis and around the vaginal opening. Most infections are temporary and are gone within a year, leaving little or no long-term affect. The warts can cause itching and burning sensations, in addition to looking unseemly. Antiviral drugs, vaccinations and surgery are the treatment options for genital warts, although consuming foods that have immune boosting and antiviral properties may help your body better cope with the infection.
Garlic
Garlic has been eaten and used as medicine for literally thousands of years, but it wasn't until a few decades ago that garlic was discovered to contain allicin, a powerful antimicrobial that kills a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses, according to "The New Healing Herbs." Allicin can kill HPV, but unlike antiviral drugs and antibiotics, it doesn't harm the beneficial bacteria needed in your intestines. The most effective way of including garlic in your diet is to use raw, crushed garlic cloves, which can be added to pasta sauce, marinades or sautéed vegetables. Further, you can sprinkle them on baked fish or even eat them as is; the allicin within the cloves will be absorbed into your blood and eventually transported to the site of the warts.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C boosts your immune response because it is a powerful antioxidant and it stimulates the production of specialized immune cells. According to "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health," vitamin C stimulates the production of many white blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes, which actively attack HPV. Vitamin C also contributes to the production of interferon, a protein that kills viruses. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, rose hips, most tropical fruits, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Steam cooking is the best way to preserve the vitamin C content.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 can destroy HPV by disrupting its replication. A study published in the April 2002 issue of "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention" found that circulating B-12 levels were inversely associated with HPV persistence. Foods rich in B-12 include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, butter, kelp and some nuts, seeds and legumes.
Olive Products
Olives, olive oil and especially olive leaves are a rich source essential fatty acids and phytochemicals, which display antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, according to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition" For example, fresh olive leaf extract has demonstrated an antioxidant capacity almost 100 percent higher than green tea extract and 400 percent higher than vitamin C.
References
- "Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition"; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2010
- "Vitamins: Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health"; G. Combs; 2008
- "Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention"; Human Papillomavirus Persistence and Nutrients Involved in the Methylation Pathway Among a Cohort of Young Women; R.L. Sedjo, et al; April 2002
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
