Question about L-Lysine

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Do any of you take the vitamin, "L-Lysine"? I have always heard that this helps with the "herpes-simplex virus" - and basically, since I was a child, I've ALWAYS had cold-sores (on my mouth only, just to clarify!)

But when I do get them, they are a pain!!!

I'm just wondering if anyone takes L-Lysine and has ever noticed that it helps with cold sores? I (thank god) do not have one right now, but i'm trying to gather a list of vitamins that I want to research before buying

on my list is:

L-Lysine
CoQ10
Fish Oil (w/vitamin E)
L-Carnatine

I already take vitamin C and women's one-a-day.

thanks for any help you can give!!!

[biogeek]

Hi Keriann!

Sorry about the cold sores! I've never suffered with one, so I don't know what you're going through, but I can try to help you sort through your supplements.

As far as L-lysine, some folks swear by them, so if you're really suffering from them, they may be worth a try. Some studies suggest taking around 3000 mg of L-lysine a day in divided doses with your meal if you're having an outbreak. After the symptoms lessen, then the dose gets reduced to a maintenance level of 500 mg/day. If by chance you start having symptoms again at the 500 mg/day maintenance dose, then the studies suggest going up to 1000 mg/day as a maintenance dose. They also recommend taking 50 mg of zinc a day and 500 mg of vitamin C (preferably one with bioflavonoids).

Also probiotics that contain Lactobacilus acidophilus is also suppose to help give relief and act in a preventative. If you look for this, the best kind are kept refrigerated.

Since you've heard about L-lysine as a possible helper, then perhaps you've heard of argine (another type of amino acid) as doing the opposite. Now I know you're not going to buy this supplement, but it may help to know some foods that are rich in argine. Some you wouldn't eat because, well, you're on Atkins. Others, you need to be wary. So stay away from chocolate, cereal grains, peanuts, and almost all nuts & seeds. These are all good sources of argine.

Hope that helps! Good luck! Please let me know if you have further questions.

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

yeah - i HAVE heard that nuts and seeds have that effect on cold-sore breakouts - and that SUCKS because i'm TOTALLY looking foward to having them on rung 3! lol

but i sincerely thank you for answering my q? on the lysine. I think I may go ahead and get some as a "preventative action" they're few and far between, but sometimes when i get one - that one goes away and then his brother will pop up literally as the other one is leaving...so when i DO get one (and then two or three) they stay around for a while.

maybe i'll just have to see if the nuts/seeds do bother me. and if they do then out of my diet they go!

[biogeek]

Nothing like preventative measures, especially when you hav a wedding coming up! Congrats on your big day!!!