There is a lot of information around about how lysine is an effective weapon against the cold sore causing herpes simplex virus. But, unfortunately, some of the information is not complete or accurate.



For lysine to work, you must use it correctly. To do this, it is important you know how and why it works.

Let me give you the facts now, so you don't waste your money or suffer longer than you have to.

1. Lysine can put out a cold sore much like water puts out a fire.

Oxygen is the main fuel needed by a fire. Water smothers the fire by keeping oxygen from getting to it.

Lysine, a common amino acid protein, can actually do the same thing with cold sores.

The herpes simplex virus is the base cause of all cold sores. When the herpes virus decides to create new virus, it destroys cells during this replicating process.

The herpes virus cannot do this alone but will force your cells to become virus factories. A special protein must be available for this to happen.

2. Arginine is another common amino acid and the primary protein needed to create new herpes virus.

Arginine, in fact, is contained in most foods to some degree. Chocolate, nuts, seeds and grains contain high levels of arginine.

It actually serves many important uses in the body. For example, it dilates the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. Weight-lifters use a lot of it to create larger-looking muscles.

But, it also fuels the creation of cold sores.

Your cells will store arginine in a special area within the cell. Lysine also shares this storage area. Whichever amino acid you get most in your diet - that protein will dominate the storage area.

And your cells cannot create herpes virus particles using lysine.

By overflowing your cells with lysine (and reducing your intake of arginine during that time) you will force excess arginine out of your cells - starving the herpes replication process.

Without sufficient arginine available, the herpes virus will give up and go back into hibernation. You have either prevented or stopped a cold sore dead in its tracks.

3. Lysine works only if taken orally.

Lysine is an internal cold sore treatment. It must get into your cells through bloodstream delivery.

As a topical cold store treatment, it does not work very well. Yet you will see cold sore salves that claim to contain lysine. Save your money. It is too big of a molecule to be absorbed directly.

Most dairy products are rich sources of lysine. Especially rich and delicious are Wisconsin dairy products. If you like fish, Flounder has the highest lysine content of any food we know of.

You will get 14 grams of lysine in just one 450 gram (16 ounces) of Flounder. Some folks claim this one serving will wipe out their cold sores.

Using food as a lysine source is excellent because it provides the highest quality body-ready lysine. But it is difficult to adjust the dosage for your particular needs.

You may need more (or less) than the next person for a successful cold sore treatment method.

Most people find that lysine capsules, in the 500 milligram size, are the best and most convenient way to boost lysine levels. It is so easy to adjust your dosage based on your needs and diet choices.

I hate giving up chocolate - so I take extra lysine capsules to cover it up.

Generally, most folks who use this method will take between six and twelve capsules each day during an actual outbreak. The best time to start this regimen is at the very first tingling or itching sign of a pending cold sore.

Sometimes you can actually prevent the sore from happening if you act quickly enough.

Each person reacts differently to this cold sore treatment. For some, it is the total answer depending on the rest of their health condition.

Lysine is definitely one of the top four cold sore treatment tactics we have discovered to this point. For most people - and quite likely for you - it will not be the total cold sore treatment you need.

Without a doubt, however, lysine will be a major component to any cold sore treatment plan you will develop - so start using it now.