Herpes is a virus and a family of viruses. HSV, or herpes simplex virus, is the
virus responsible for “herpes labilalis” (fever blisters, cold sores, canker sores
on lips) and “genital herpes”. These viruses continue to live in the body of
people infected for as long as the person lives. The immune system keeps the
virus “locked up” so it won’t cause problems. But the virus “re-activates” or
causes blisters, lesions and symptoms, whenever the virus gets an advantage.
Another herpes virus is chicken pox. When it reactivates, it is called herpes
zoster, or “shingles”.
What could give the herpes virus an advantage?
• An important advantage would be an imbalance between arginine and
lysine in the body. Arginine and lysine are amino acids which are present in our
foods in different amounts. Arginine is necessary for the virus to grow and
cause trouble. The way to fight this is to take extra lysine. Studies have shown
that 500 mg to 1,000 mg of lysine three times daily can help shorten the length
of a herpes outbreak. Since herpes is quite common (almost 1 out of 5 people
over the age of 12—and 90% of them don’t know they have it), you might expect
this to be a big problem for almost anyone taking arginine. In fact, it is quite
rare that people seem to notice more outbreaks. For that reason, most people
choose to simply take an arginine supplement, then if they have trouble, take
extra lysine. For people who have frequent outbreaks, taking lysine on a
regular basis may help to prevent outbreaks.
• The same information applies to people with shingles. If you have EVER
had chicken pox, you may one day develop shingles. The key is keeping the
virus at a disadvantage. Keeping the arginine and lysine in balance will help
keep the virus at bay.
• Stress will cause the immune system to be less effective, and the virus
could cause symptoms.
• Other advantages could be caused by excess sugar in the diet. This was
discovered when people with chronic yeast infections started on a low
carbohydrate diet. The people noticed that herpes outbreaks diminished or
went away entirely.
• Low vitamin C also gives the virus an advantage. Supplementing with
vitamin C can boost the immune system’s ability to control an outbreak.
• People who have had severe forms of herpes such as herpes
encephalopathy (brain herpes) or ocular herpes (eye herpes) probably should
avoid arginine supplements. Never heard of it? Then you haven’t had it. This
kind of herpes is rare and requires hospitalization to treat it.
References:
Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United
States.
JAMA. 2006 Aug 23;296(8):964-73:
• Xu F, Sternberg MR, Kottiri BJ, McQuillan GM, Lee FK, Nahmias AJ, Berman
SM, Markowitz LE.
L-lysine. Monograph.
Altern Med Rev. 2007 Jun;12(2):169-72.
Natural remedies for Herpes simplex.
Altern Med Rev. 2006 Jun;11(2):93-101.
Gaby AR.
virus responsible for “herpes labilalis” (fever blisters, cold sores, canker sores
on lips) and “genital herpes”. These viruses continue to live in the body of
people infected for as long as the person lives. The immune system keeps the
virus “locked up” so it won’t cause problems. But the virus “re-activates” or
causes blisters, lesions and symptoms, whenever the virus gets an advantage.
Another herpes virus is chicken pox. When it reactivates, it is called herpes
zoster, or “shingles”.
What could give the herpes virus an advantage?
• An important advantage would be an imbalance between arginine and
lysine in the body. Arginine and lysine are amino acids which are present in our
foods in different amounts. Arginine is necessary for the virus to grow and
cause trouble. The way to fight this is to take extra lysine. Studies have shown
that 500 mg to 1,000 mg of lysine three times daily can help shorten the length
of a herpes outbreak. Since herpes is quite common (almost 1 out of 5 people
over the age of 12—and 90% of them don’t know they have it), you might expect
this to be a big problem for almost anyone taking arginine. In fact, it is quite
rare that people seem to notice more outbreaks. For that reason, most people
choose to simply take an arginine supplement, then if they have trouble, take
extra lysine. For people who have frequent outbreaks, taking lysine on a
regular basis may help to prevent outbreaks.
• The same information applies to people with shingles. If you have EVER
had chicken pox, you may one day develop shingles. The key is keeping the
virus at a disadvantage. Keeping the arginine and lysine in balance will help
keep the virus at bay.
• Stress will cause the immune system to be less effective, and the virus
could cause symptoms.
• Other advantages could be caused by excess sugar in the diet. This was
discovered when people with chronic yeast infections started on a low
carbohydrate diet. The people noticed that herpes outbreaks diminished or
went away entirely.
• Low vitamin C also gives the virus an advantage. Supplementing with
vitamin C can boost the immune system’s ability to control an outbreak.
• People who have had severe forms of herpes such as herpes
encephalopathy (brain herpes) or ocular herpes (eye herpes) probably should
avoid arginine supplements. Never heard of it? Then you haven’t had it. This
kind of herpes is rare and requires hospitalization to treat it.
References:
Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United
States.
JAMA. 2006 Aug 23;296(8):964-73:
• Xu F, Sternberg MR, Kottiri BJ, McQuillan GM, Lee FK, Nahmias AJ, Berman
SM, Markowitz LE.
L-lysine. Monograph.
Altern Med Rev. 2007 Jun;12(2):169-72.
Natural remedies for Herpes simplex.
Altern Med Rev. 2006 Jun;11(2):93-101.
Gaby AR.
- Herpes, shingles and arginine
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The Stewardship Group L.L.C.
info@stewardshipgroup.net
918.747.7393
info@stewardshipgroup.net
918.747.7393
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