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Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles > Cold
Sores |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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COLD SORES
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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HOW ABOUT A KISS?
COLD SORE FREE! |
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Stress & the low
immunity that it
causes can often
lead to an outbreak
of cold sores.
Supplements to
reduce stress plus
antiviral
supplements can
decrease frequency &
severity. |
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Annoying,
painful, unsightly, and
downright frustrating, cold
sores will often pop up at
the wORST time. But if
you're prone to them, there
are supplements you can take
that can help reduce flare
ups... |
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Cold sores are the result of
an infection with herpes
simplex virus. This
highly contagious virus is
usually contracted in
childhood through skin
contact.
The virus then lies dormant
in the body and only
produces sores when
triggered. |
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Triggers for cold sores are
individual but some of the
more common triggers are
exposure to cold, wind or
sun, food allergies, a
decreased immune system due
to other infections or
stress and hormonal
fluctuations.
A cold sore often begins
with a tingling or burning
sensation around the lips.
The sore begins to develop
as an itchy red bump and
eventually forms a fluid
filled blister. When the
blister breaks and forms a
crust the healing has begun
and it is no longer
contagious. It usually
heals without scarring. The
duration of breakout is
usually 10 days.
Occasionally multiple sores
can develop with fatigue and
a mild fever.
Dietary help for preventing
and treating cold sores
involves decreasing the
amino acid arginine in the
diet. Arginine is used by
the virus for replication.
Avoid arginine rich foods
such as nuts, sesame seeds,
sunflower seeds, peas,
lentils, oats, corn,
buckwheat, barley, chocolate
and coconut. |
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What you can do to
help: |
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TAKE LYSINE,
IT'S BEEN
CLINICALLY
PROVEN TO
HELP |
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CONTROL
STRESS WITH
SUPPLEMENTS
& EXERCISE |
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EAT LOTS OF
VEGGIES |
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DON'T DRINK
COFFEE OR
COLA |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(COLD SORE FACTS) |
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Touching a
cold sore
can cause it
to become
infected |
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The virus
that causes
a cold sore
can lay
dormant in
your body
for a long
time. |
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Also increase the lysine
content of the diet because
lysine inhibits herpes virus
replication. Lysine rich
foods include fish
especially halibut, shrimp,
poultry, milk, lima beans,
mung bean sprouts and yeast.
Avoid foods that decrease
the immune system like white
flour and sugar products and
trans-fat products like
margarine and shortening.
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Use immune
boosting foods like flaxseed
oil, raw fruits and
vegetables, pumpkin seeds,
wheat germ and seafood.
Physical treatments for
boosting the immune system
include: alternating hot and
cold water at the end of
your shower (always ending
with cold), regular
exercise, relaxation
exercises and dry skin
brushing. Topical treatment
of cold sores can be done
with colloidal silver,
licorice extract, vitamin E
oil, and creams containing
vitamin C and zinc.
All of these treatments help
to kill the virus and heal
the skin.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
preventing and treating cold
sores. Adult doses are
given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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tea tree oil |
applied topically
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Reduces infection.
Use a Q-tip to
apply. |
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B COMPLEX |
100mg twice daily |
Reduces stress.
Supports immunity. |
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Herbal combination
for adrenal support
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As
directed on
labelling |
Reduces stress that
promotes cold sores.
USE ONE THAT
INCLUDES THESE
HERBS:
licorice,
ashwaghanda,
siberian ginseng. |
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Colloidal silver |
As
directed on
labelling |
A
natural antibiotic
that kills viruses
as well as bacteria
and fungi. Replace
helpful flora with
probiotics after
treatment is
completed. |
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Probiotics |
As
directed on
labelling |
Helps
to replenish good
bacteria in the body
to prevent
re-infection.
Enhances the immune
system. |
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Buffered Vitamin C
with bioflavinoids |
1000-5000mg daily |
If
taken at the onset
of an outbreak
helped prevent
blister formation.
Supports mucous
membranes. Enhances
the immune system. |
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Zinc lozenges |
15mg
twice daily |
Speeds tissue
repair. Do not use
more than 100mg of
zinc daily. |
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Vitamin A and
Vitamin E |
Vitamin A 25000IU
daily, Vitamin E
400-800IU daily |
Vitamin A is
antiviral and speeds
tissue healing. Do
not use if you are
pregnant. Vitamin E
stabilizes vitamin A
and also prevents
scarring. Use in
moderation if you
are taking
blood-thinning
medications. |
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L-Lysine |
1000mg five times
daily |
Inhibits viral
replication. |
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Larrea
tridentata |
As
directed on
labelling |
An
antiviral herb that
has been studied for
its effectiveness in
eradicating the
herpes virus. |
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Also
beneficial
for
COLD SORES: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin C, vitamin B
complex, essential
fatty acids, iodine,
echinacea, garlic,
goldenseal, lemon
balm, mushroom
extract, olive leaf
extract, oil of
oregano. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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