Herpes is the common name for infections caused by one of two types of the herpes simplex virus. Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, involves the face, while genital herpes involves the genitals, buttocks or anal area. There is no cure for herpes, and some people experience frequent, troublesome outbreaks in response to triggers such as stress, sunlight and diet. As it gets colder, many people experience Herpes outbreaks. Eating certain foods and avoiding certain foods can help heal and prevent a herpes outbreak.
Here are Health Fitness Revolutions Top Foods for curbing Herpes outbreaks:
- Foods with Lysine are known to combat herpes when an outbreak occurs and help prevent future outbreaks as well. Foods high in lysine are:
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Papaya
- Milk
- Fish
- Mango
- Figs
- Sweet Potatoes
- Beets
- Greek Yogurt
- Sprouts
- Beef
- Lamb
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Keeping Your Immune Strong is Important- Herpes is a Virus and doesn’t express itself well in a strong host. Regular exercise and these foods will keep your immune system strong.
- A compound known as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that may be effective in suppressing herpes. It is found in Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.
- Green tea is also a good thing to work into your diet, as it contains antiviral and antioxidant properties. Please read our article on the Healthiest Teas list.
- Consume lots of sprouts as well, because sprouts contain powerful enzymes and vitamins, even more than the actual vegetables themselves.
- There are also some good enzyme and vitamin supplements on the market that can help control herpes. Vitamin C, B5, B6, zinc, and magnesium are all good choices.
- In the 2007 edition of “Integrative Medicine,” University of Wisconsin professor David Rakel, M.D., specifically recommends consuming at least seven or eight servings per day in order to ward off herpes outbreaks and speed symptom resolution when outbreaks do occur.
Here are the Foods to Avoid if you have Herpes:
- Do your best to avoid foods with a high arginine content. Arginine essentially provides the food necessary for the survival of the herpes virus. Eating the following foods in excess can cause an outbreak or prolong it:
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Coconut
- Oatmeal
- Seeds
- Raisins
- Brown Rice
- Avoid processed foods and artificial cola drinks (This is a good general rule even for those without Herpes!)
