How can lysine help treat herpes?
Many of you have surely already had the unpleasant experience of seeing an unwanted visitor appear around the mouth and on the lips… Bingo, we are talking about the embarrassing “cold sore” or more precisely the cold sore virus. herpes !
It is a common, relapsing viral infection that affects more than 60% of the world's population .
So, we have bad news and good news:
- The bad news is that there is no miracle cure for herpes.
- The good news is that there are ways to reduce symptoms and prevent future breakouts.
It is an essential amino acid, lysine, which is at the head of the race in the fight against herpes.
How it works ? How is lysine taken? We will explain everything to you !
What is lysine?
Lysine is an essential amino acid , which means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must consume it through our diet or supplements.
Lysine plays an important role in building proteins, synthesizing collagen, producing enzymes, and regulating immune function.
What are the food sources of lysine?
Lysine is found in many foods, especially animal proteins and soy.
Legumes, nuts and seeds are also excellent sources of lysine for vegetarians and vegans.
Herpes and viruses
The herpes virus is a very common virus that can cause infections in different parts of the body.
The two most common types of herpes are herpes labialis, caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and genital herpes, caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and genital herpes , caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). 2 (HSV-2).
Cold sores usually appear as a rash of small blisters on the lips or around the mouth. In addition to its unsightly side, this nasty cold sore will itch, heat up or even burn and will not miss an opportunity to come back. A real pain in short!
Herpes is very contagious . If you are close to someone who suffers from it, be careful not to share lip balms for example and to limit kissing to avoid contagion.
Herpes treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes, but some solutions can help relieve symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.
- Antiviral medications help reduce the duration and severity of herpes and prevent future infections.
- Topical pain relievers (creams, balms, etc.) can also help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Natural remedies: “Apply toothpaste all night on your pimple, tomorrow it will be gone.” Does this speak to you? Everyone uses their little grandmother's trick when it comes to herpes. Yet how many can boast of being truly effective?
For our part, we prefer to focus everything on lysine!
Lysine and herpes: what you need to know
You may never have heard of it, but lysine can help reduce the severity and frequency of herpes outbreaks .
When ingested, lysine can help inhibit the growth of the herpes simplex virus by binding to arginine, an amino acid that the virus needs to replicate.
In addition (and we will not deprive ourselves of this), lysine can help stimulate the immune system and, in fact, prevent infections. It is also useful for tissue repair and collagen production, ideal for speeding up the healing of lesions.
The beneficial effects of lysine on herpes were first proven in a study carried out in the 1980s .
Over the years, this amino acid has lost popularity in favor of antiviral treatments. However, taking lysine orally today remains an excellent way to reduce the importance and frequency of herpes episodes. Indeed, lysine has the ability to inhibit virus replication, making it an effective natural remedy.
Lysine deficiency = herpes gets worse
Herpes that gets worse can alert you to a possible lysine deficiency . Yes, everything is connected!
Other symptoms may appear such as rashes, hair loss, fatigue, weight loss and stunted growth in children.
People most at risk for lysine deficiency include vegetarians and vegans, people with kidney disease, and people with impaired intestinal absorption.
Lysine deficiency can cause herpes to heal more slowly and increase the frequency of its recurrences.
To conclude
So for those who struggle with herpes on a daily basis, it may be time to count on lysine as a new ally. By focusing on good food sources of lysine and quality supplements, it is possible to try to get rid of this herpes!
