Lysine for Cold Sores - How Does It Heal My Cold Sore?

Published July 31st, 2008

by Denny Bodoh

Lysine and cold sores are enemies. Read this article now. You will finally know what works and what does not when using lysine for cold sores.

Lysine for cold sores is a hot topic right now. We are seeing more and more proof every day for successfully using lysine for cold sores.

How does cold sore lysine fix and prevent oral herpes cold sore outbreaks? What is the correct way to use it?

Good questions for sure.

However, it is important to know what actually creates the cold sore before using lysine for cold sores.

The primary cause of all cold sore events is the herpes simplex virus. Whether you call them cold sores, fever blisters, or oral herpes outbreaks, they are all the same thing.

This very contagious parasite virus inhabits 9 out of 10 people throughout the world. Most of these folks caught the virus before their twelfth birthday.

The herpes virus hides in the root area of your facial nerves and will be dormant there most of the time. This is an area located behind either ear. As long as it is hibernating, you will not have any symptoms.

The herpes simplex virus, because it lives in your nerve cells, can quickly sense a change in your immunity. If so, it will activate to replicate. Stress is the primary trigger that brings on a cold sore event.

The herpes virus squirms through the nerve fibers to the surface of your skin. Once there, the virus will enter the nerve cells.

The herpes simplex virus then compels the cell to build new virus. The cell eventually swells and explodes. Then millions of highly contagious virus particles cascade out.

The gaping cold sore ulcer is the result of millions of destroyed cells.

Arginine is an amino acid (protein) that is the main protein needed to create the herpes simplex virus. Chocolate and nuts are particularly rich in arginine, and it is found in lesser amounts in many other foods.

Your cells have a special area to store proteins, such as arginine, inside the cell.

Lysine is also an essential amino acid. Dairy and fish are good sources of lysine. New herpes virus can not be created using lysine. It is like putting water in your gas tank.

Here is the good news. Arginine and lysine fight over the same storage space within your cells. The more your cells store lysine, the less arginine it can hold.

You can easily lower the cell’s arginine supply by raising lysine intake. This is a tactic many people use to stop the progression of a cold sore and prevent future oral herpes outbreaks. You are, in affect, starving out the virus.

Lysine and arginine fight each other. Increase lysine in your diet with vegetables, fish and dairy products. Decrease arginine in your diet by leaving out arginine foods such as chocolate, nuts and grains.

The trouble is, changing your diet as a way to stop cold sores, fever blisters or oral herpes is not always practical. The best bet for most people are lysine capsules or tablets. They are quite cheap and available everywhere.

Lysine supplements are usually 500-milligram capsules. They allow you to adjust the amount you get each day based on what works best for you. And when you want to eat some chocolate, you can take extra lysine.

Lysine is one of many common proteins and is quite safe. To treat a cold sore, dosages of 2000 to 4000 milligrams daily are the norm. Many people take 500 milligrams per day to help prevent future oral herpes cold sore outbreaks.

But, this is where you need to be careful.

Lysine for cold sores is a well-proven and effective treatment when taken internally. However, it has not shown much value as a topical treatment.

I mention this because you will find cold sore remedies at the store that contain lysine. These are designed to put directly on the sore. The lysine does not absorb and get into the cells this way. Save your money.

Lysine for cold sores is one of several really good cold sore remedies that you will find useful.

There is much more I could share about lysine for cold sores and several other good cold sore remedies that honestly work. Unfortunately there is not enough room here.

If you are a victim of long duration or frequent cold sore events, lysine is an excellent choice. But do not stop there. There are many other great cold sore remedies. You may find some will work even better for you than lysine for cold sores.

About the Author:

Hate cold sores? Be sure to read the FREE expert articles about Cold Sores at Denny Bodoh’s very busy web-site. Go there now and you will get a lot of awesome Cold Sore cures, tips and facts you can start using today.