Lysine has long been known to treat the Herpes virus, and there are few related lysine side effects to discourage its use as a supplement. Herpes simplex virus is a reoccurring viral infection that causes sores on any area of the body, especially on the mouth or genitals. The cold sore type is known as HSV-1 and the genital version is called HSV-2, and they can move back and forth.
More than sixty percent of those suffering from the herpes virus will have reoccurring outbreaks of sores or blisters. While one patient can only have a single eruption every now and then, and some fortunate patients have an occurrence only once every few years if that, others are beleaguered by this contagious, excruciating, sometimes risky and always difficult virus far too often. Chicken pox, shingles, and cold sores are all members of the herpes virus group.
Lysine Side Effects and Herpes Treatment
Lysine, one of the eight essential amino acids our body gets from diet, has been used to treat herpes for a very long time. There have been many studies since the mid 1970’s that showed a marked decrease in painful outbreaks when lysine supplements were used. Lysine does not cure the virus, but instead prevents outbreaks of cold sores, genital blisters and painful canker sores on the mouth. Patients who take lysine supplements suffer far fewer secondary infections after outbreaks, as well.
Lysine is an isolated form of an amino acid. Herpes, like so many viruses, requires complete protein in which to replicate. The lysine molecule mimics the virus’s favorite protein structure, yet it is missing several bonds that are vitally important to keeping the virus alive and active. By increasing lysine in the blood, the herpes virus attaches itself quite quickly to the molecule, and then it is too late. It is unable to replicate, which is how viruses stay active. A herpes outbreak can be diminished in just a few hours with lysine supplements. There are no lysine side effects that make long term lysine therapy unsafe.
Doctors recommend a full spectrum program for the management of herpes. Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, should be taken in doses starting at 2000 mg any time a virus is present. 100 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper per day are also recommended. Acidophilus is certainly very important in any viral condition because of the die-off of the viral material, which eventually has to be processed in the colon. The most important of the supplements, l-lysine should be taken in isolated form. In order to achieve saturation at the cellular level, 1 to 3 mg per day should be taken in the case of an actual outbreak.
Lysine Herpes Treatment Timing
It is recommended that lysine treatment begin the moment an outbreak is detected, often in the form of itching around the lips in the case of cold sores. Also, in times of excessive stress, lysine treatment can prevent a reaction of an outbreak. In addition to the lysine supplements, a diet that is rich in lysine is also recommended, including cheese, yogurt, milk, fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, organ meats, potatoes, and brewer’s yeast.
When herpes eruptions disappear, lysine foods and supplements should continue for at least three months so that the herpes will stay in remission. A dosage of at least 1000 mg of lysine should be consumed daily as a maintenance control dose.
Lysine Side Effects
Lysine in the diet is safe. Lysine side effects are few and very rare, when taken in recommended doses for up to three months at a time. However, lysine side effects can occure when large amounts of supplemental lysine are absorbed. Over time Lysine can interfere with the metabolism of protein in the diet and also with arginine transport. Lysine and aginine share a transport mechanism in the intestines. They also compete with each other in the kidney for re-absorption, as well as transport into cells. These lysine side effects are rare and for the most part will not be a problem.