Herpes is a contagious virus that can affect people of any age. It is caused by herpes simplex 1 or herpes simplex 2. Type 1 usually causes cold sores, and type 2 causes genital herpes. Either kind of herpes can appear in different parts of the body. Herpes can be diagnosed by a doctor through a blood test or culture. There is no cure for herpes, but it can be controlled with diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Identification
A diet for herpes should contain foods that are high in lysine, since lysine helps suppress the virus. In Phyllis A. Balch's "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," she says a diet that contains more lysine than arginine will inhibit the virus. She recommends supplementing your diet with 1,500mg daily and to take it with water or juice on an empty stomach.
Lysine and arginine are amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and necessary for the metabolic processes. Lysine is an essential amino acid and must be obtained through food or supplementation. It is not manufactured by the body. Arginine is made by the body.
Benefits
The most important benefit of eating a diet designed to control herpes is that it will help to suppress the virus, so you will have fewer outbreaks, and your immune system will be healthy and strong. A healthy immune systems means you are better able to fight off infections and viruses.
What to Eat
According to the Herpes-Cold Sores website, foods high in lysine include low-fat dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese. Also, foods with lean protein, such as beef, chicken and fish, and most fruits and vegetables, are high in the amino acid as well.
In "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Balch recommends avoiding all processed foods, white sugar, white flour, colas, caffeine and alcohol. She advocates limiting the following foods and only eating them in moderation during an outbreak: nuts, seeds, grains, chocolate and corn. She also recommends avoiding citrus fruits while the virus is active.
Prevention/Solution
A herpes diet should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Be sure to get adequate rest and try to limit or decrease stress. Stress weakens the immune system, which makes you more susceptible to viruses and other illnesses. You should also limit exposure to other things that may trigger your cold sore outbreaks, such as wind, sun or extreme cold.
Potential
A diet for herpes can be helpful in keeping outbreaks to a minimum. By focusing on foods high in lysine and low in arginine, you can help your body fend off the virus. By eating a lot of fruits and vegetables full of nutrients, you will have a healthier and stronger immune system and be better able to fight off herpes outbreaks. What works for some people may not work for others. The Herpes website recommends keeping a food journal to figure out what triggers your outbreaks.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Herpes
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition;" Phyllis Balch; 2006
