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I have decades of personal experience with the best and worst foods for Herpes.With my Primary Immunodeficiency, my immune system is genetically low. Even with weekly Gamma Globulin infusions I have to watch Herpes food triggers.
As I write and speak about in this post and Podcast on Herpes or Shingles, the ratio of the amino acids Arginine to Lysine is the KEY.
- Arginine feeds all Herpes viruses (including Epstein Barr, Shingles and Chickenpox).
- Arginine is balanced by Lysine.
- Reducing high Arginine foods, handling your stress, and taking a small dose of Lysine daily (even once Arginine is low) can be a big help. Take more for pro-dromal and outbreaks.
- I take a few Monolaurin every week as a preventative.
- My Olive Leaf is whole leaf, not an extract – I take 4 daily.
- VIVI – Virox by Systemic Formulas helps all kinds of viruses. I use this when I have a pro-dromal burning or tingling, or an outbreak, not daily since I am mostly controlled.
- And of course, optimizing your Vitamin D and K2 combo is essential for good immune function. Here’s how to test and dose D with K2.
Best and Worst Foods for Herpes
- The foods most commonly known as Herpes triggers are nuts, seeds, chocolate and coconut. Grains, protein powders, bone broth, collagen are often overlooked and hugely important.
- Since we’re interested in the amino acids (the proteins) in the food, coconut OIL is NOT an issue.
- Coconut cream, flour, flakes and yogurt ARE an issue.
- All nuts, seeds and chocolate are high in Arginine. Grains are seeds….
- Beans are seeds and some are high in Arginine, some are neutral.
- BEST foods are animal proteins (meat, fish), vegetables and plenty of fats.
- Neutral foods are eggs, tubers, fruit (not too much as is sweet!)
Surprising Herpes Trigger Foods You Missed 
In a word: GRAINS. Yes, grains… They are OUT!
Grains are, after all, seeds. All seeds are going to flunk the Arginine:Lysine Ratio test. Look at the Arginine to Lysine ratio chart in the next paragraph and notice how prominent bread, cereal, rice, corn, oats, cake and cookies are. Even without nuts or chocolate. If they include nuts, chocolate or coconut flakes, you’ve really overdone it…. Almond flour? Nope. That’s nuts again.
Herpes Diet KEY: The Arginine to Lysine Ratio
This chart shows the ratio of Arginine to Lysine in foods. (There are other similar charts – not all are identical).
The goal is to avoid or minimize high Arginine foods if they don’t also have high Lysine.
A poor Arginine/Lysine ratio is not an issue if it’s a food you don’t eat much of, such as Spinach. The key is foods you eat significant portions of and/or eat frequently – foods with a significant amount of protein (including the amino acids Arginine and Lysine).
Fruits and vegetables don’t have much protein so they’re not usually an issue.
If your meal is mostly meats or fish (naturally low in Arginine) with vegetables and fats (low in Arginine), and some yams or potato (low in Arginine) you’re good. But if you add rice, 2 whole wheat chocolate chip cookies and a few nuts, you’re definitely in Herpes territory.
Your Kitchen is the Key to Best and Worst Foods for Herpes
All meats, seafood and dairy (except whey protein powder) have abundant Lysine. Vegetables, tubers, fruits and fats are neutral.
Your trouble foods are grains, nuts, seeds, chocolate, coconut meat/flour and gelatin/bone broth/protein powders. And, of course, stress, sugar and caffeine which all affect the immune system.
High Arginine in Gelatin & Bone Broth is a Herpes Trigger Food
Sad to say, most all gelatin and bone broths are much higher in Arginine than Lysine. Read labels and you’ll see.
Study labels for products that actually LIST the various protein amounts. Many products won’t list. Avoid them!
Protein Powders are Often High Arginine
Most protein powders are high in Arginine. Many do not list the ratios of the amino acids on the label. Avoid those. Protein powder can be made from egg, lentils/peas, whey, rice, many things. I have found one or two whey powders that were balanced Lysine to Arginine but the rest were not. Read labels!
Herbal Anti-Viral Support
VIVI Anti-Virox from Systemic Formulas has been my standby for 3 decades. I sell it here by the bottle or as part of an Anti-Viral Multi Pack with 2 bottles of VIVI plus one Lysine. In general, Lysine (AWAY from food) helps, as do whole Olive Leaf (not extract) and Monolaurin at first sign of an outbreak.
My Herpes Control Pack has the top 8 Herpes supplements I use in the Clinic (add Vitamin D with K2 and a good Probiotic). Take these for several months while fixing your diet and stress. They work!
Then reduce to maintenance doses and increase if pro-dromal symptoms occur. (Instructions included in the Pack).
There are many topicals, including Ozone gel and our outstanding liquid Emu Oil shown here. This is the only unprocessed Emu Oil in the world and it is amazingly healing. It’s here online and in this article for Skin and Vaginal Health.
The Worst Herpes Trigger after Arginine is….
Stress!
Why?
Because stress (fight, flight or fright) halts our immune system. If you’re running from the tiger (our modern stress of deadlines, delays, alarms, the news, etc.) your immune and digestive system simply stop working. Why proceed if you’re going to shortly be tiger food?
This article explains why Stress is a Herpes Trigger.
You can take control of these stressors if you’re committed to your immune system. Passion Flower is my friend and helps me stay calm in the day and sleep better at night. Many clients buy 3 or 4 bottles at a time to keep at home, work and car.
Need a Consult to Review Foods and Support?
Contact me here for Consult options. I talk every week with distance and local San Antonio clients needing help with their immune systems, stress and more. Thanks!
