Lysine for cold sores is much talked about these days. The truth is - lab and empirical data strongly support the use of lysine for cold sores.



How does lysine work for cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes? What is the best way to use it?

Good questions for sure.

But, prior to using lysine for cold sores, it is best to know as much as possible about how a cold sore is created.

It is the herpes simplex virus that is the cause of all cold sore events. You may call them a cold sore or a fever blister. Whatever you call them, they are identical oral herpes sores.

90% of the world population carries this terribly contagious virus. It is most common to be exposed to it before 12 years old.

The herpes virus is usually dormant in the nerve ganglia. This is root of the nerves behind the ear, where they connect with other nerves. Oral herpes cold sore events only occur if this virus becomes active.

The herpes simplex virus will become active to produce new virus. Since it lives in the nerves, it can quickly tell when your immunity drops. Stress of any sort can create the right conditions for cold sores to happen.

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

The cold sore virus then makes the cell create new virus copies. Once the cell is filled to capacity, it bursts open and the new virus gushes out, looking for a home.

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 will store arginine in a specific spot within the cell membrane.

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.

It is easy for you to drop your stored arginine levels by taking in higher quantities of lysine. This is a proven method many folks use to reduce duration or occurrences of oral herpes cold sore wounds. Lysine extinguishes the cold sore fire.

You can increase your lysine levels with a diet rich in vegetables, fish and dairy products. Also, not eating high arginine foods, such as chocolate and nuts, will help reduce your arginine levels.

Adjusting your eating habits to control oral herpes, cold sore or fever blister attacks is not usually much fun. Most folks prefer lysine in capsules for the bulk of their treatment. This amino acid is inexpensive and you can find it anywhere.

With lysine capsules, you can change your intake based on your need. And you often do not have to give up the foods you love, such as chocolate or nuts.

Two to five grams (2000 to 5000 milligrams) is a common dosage during an oral herpes cold sore outbreak. Between sores, folks take 500 to 1000 milligrams per day as prevention maintenance.

But, this is where lysine is misunderstood.

Lysine for cold sores is powerful when used as an internal treatment. But it does not work very well 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 the better cold sore remedies for you, if used as outlined above.

I would like to give you a lot more tips about lysine for cold sores and some additional cold sore remedies. But I have run out of room here. I know you would benefit from my other articles on the subject of cold sore treatment and prevention.

Whether you want to shorten the duration or to prevent future outbreaks, lysine is powerful medicine. But, keep this in mind. There are several other excellent cold sore remedies for you to try. They may be even better for you than lysine for cold sores.