Cold sores and melissa (The Sunday Times, 29 October 2006)

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Q. I’m prone to cold sores, and wondered if there are any alternative ways of keeping them at bay or healing them quickly?




A.Keeping your immune system strong — and your stress levels down — can go a long way in preventing outbreaks. Diet is also important, so focus on antioxidant-packed vegetables and seasonal fruits, as well as foods rich in the amino acid lysine. This may suppress herpes simplex (the cold-sore virus) by inhibiting the absorption of another amino acid, arginine, which is thought to be a contributing factor in outbreaks.

Foods containing lysine include eggs, chicken, legumes and fish. Foods containing arginine, which should be avoided when you have an outbreak, include chocolate, peanuts, nuts, seeds, raisins and cereal grains. Keep citrus fruit consumption low, along with processed and refined foods, including sugar.

To boost your immune levels further, take 1,000mg lysine three times a day during an outbreak. Solgar L-Lysine costs £6.95 for 50 caps (from good health shops). Studies suggest the herb melissa (lemon balm) can help to reduce the discomfort and duration of outbreaks. Apply a topical melissa preparation, such as Lomabrit lip salve (£4.99, plus £1 p&p, from the Herpes Viruses Association; 020 7607 9661).






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