Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO HERPES MANAGEMENT: NUTRITION AND DIET

A large body of medical research supports the role of a nutritious diet in keeping the immune system strong. The immune system is a complex network of cells, organs, and tissues that defend the body against infections. Malnourishment weakens it and renders the body more susceptible to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.

There has been much discussion about the relationship between diet (and specifically the amino acids L-lysine and arginine) and the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. L-lysine is an amino acid found in eggs, meat, and milk as well as other foods. In laboratory settings, it shows potent antiviral properties, but studies of its effectiveness in controlling and treating herpes outbreaks have had mixed results, and L-lysine is at this time not generally thought to be effective for the treatment of herpes simplex infections.

In the late 1970s, studies showed that L-lysine suppressed recurrent infection and hastened recovery from infection when taken in doses of 800-1200 mg per day. However, these studies were not scientifically valid: they were performed with small numbers of subjects, and the results may have been due to a placebo effect. Many earlier studies of L-lysine were similarly flawed, and the question of whether or not the amino acid really works has not yet been satisfactorily answered. Many people believe that taking L-lysine supplements (found in most health food stores) or eating foods rich in L-lysine helps them manage their herpes better. No harmful side effects have been noted with its use, although, once again, there have not been enough scientifically valid long-term studies.

Some researchers believe that the amino acid arginine stimulates the growth of the virus and that the reason lysine works is that it blocks the metabolism of arginine. On the other hand, arginine supplementation has been proven to boost the body’s ability to fight off bacterial infections in burn patients and people who have undergone surgery. In many of the studies of L-lysine, arginine intake was not monitored, and this may be why the various studies have yielded conflicting results.

Some foods, such as nuts and chocolate, that many people associate with herpes outbreaks are high in arginine. For certain people, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking are additional triggers for outbreaks. If you find that a specific food stimulates outbreaks, by all means limit your intake of it.

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