4 Foods to Avoid with Herpes or Shingles

There are several common foods to avoid with Herpes or Shingles. You may be eating these daily!

Having personally struggled with both these viruses, I’ve learned my tolerance level of these foods when well and when stressed.

Herpes viruses live in the nervous system, and when we’re overtaxed, anxious or angry, inflammatory stress hormones and other substances suppress the immune system, allowing the virus to overwhelm our defenses.

When you’re feeling strong, healthy and rested, you may be able to handle these edibles better. It’s not just the items themselves, but how your health is at the time you eat them.

Another factor is the quantity you’re eating.  A nibble?  A full plate? A combo of all four of these? It makes a difference….

4 Foods to Avoid with Herpes or Shingles

The ratio of the amino acids Arginine to Lysine is the key.  Arginine promotes the growth of Herpes and Shingles viruses.  Lysine suppresses it.

Meats, fats, dairy and vegetables are balanced in Arginine to Lysine.

All Grains are High In Arginine

A grain-free Paleo Diet is the first place to start. It’s time to stop bread, flour, pasta, rice, cereal and chips. Stick with Paleo and your immune system and weight will improve. My DVD/video “The Diet For Human Beings” can help you.

Here are the next big 4 troublemakers. Read more about natural support for Herpes, EBV, Cold Sores and Shingles here, and more on better anti-viral meal choices in this article. 

If you wish a Consult to discuss options, please Contact me here.

1).  Chocolate

Dark chocolate has many chemical properties, including some that are addictive and brain stimulating (PEA), and others that can support feelings of well-being.  BUT, dark chocolate is high in Arginine.  The good news is if you’re satisfied with a small amount, you’re probably OK – unless you’re already at the edge of an outbreak.

2).  Gelatin and Collagen

OK, don’t be alarmed, but gelatin is high in Arginine which is used for many beneficial purposes in the body, including the manufacture of growth hormone.  While it may have beneficial properties for many, the Arginine in gelatin and collagen (and bone broth) may not be so great for Herpes sufferers.

(Read my article and podcast intro here for more on gelatin and collagen).

Gelatin may also cause histamine problems. If your allergies, headaches, skin rashes and random “what did I do wrong” issues are not under control, eliminate gelatin for a few weeks and see if things improve.

3).  Nuts and Seeds

I am always surprised that sufferers of Herpes or Shingles don’t realize that high levels of Arginine in nuts and seeds provoke this virus.  I once had a client struggling to get over a persistent Shingles outbreak who quickly improved when she stopped almond butter, bone broth and coconut flour pancakes.

Cashews, pumpkin seeds and macadamia nuts have the best Arginine to Lysine ratio, although it’s still not great. Walnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, almonds and hazelnuts have the poorest ratio.

This puts a serious damper on almond flour foods and nut and seed snacks.  But note….

Arginine is not in oils, so almond or macadamia oils are fine as far as Herpes is concerned.

4).  Coconut meat, flour and milk 

Coconut meat has a good amount of protein (amino acids) and unfortunately a high Arginine to Lysine ratio.  Coconut meat is ground up to make coconut flour and canned coconut milk.

Coconut water and coconut oil have no proteins or amino acids and will not affect the herpes virus. They are OK.

Timing and quantity make the difference

Your stress levels, current health, and the cumulative amounts of these foods can alter their affect on your viral load.

If you’re badly stressed and prone to outbreaks, it’s best to avoid all of these. If you’re a little overwhelmed temporarily, and prone to outbreaks, you might tolerate a little almond flour that day, but be aware how much coconut milk or chocolate you have too.  The effect is cumulative over a day or two.

Other foods to avoid

Sugars have no amino acids, but cause an acid load on the body and a temporary paralysis of white blood cells for a half-day after eaten. When the white cells are sluggish, they literally cannot move fast enough to chase and attack viral “foreign invaders” in your bloodstream.

Peanuts have high levels of Arginine and mold and are off-limits completely.

Will taking Lysine help?

It may help to take (1) 500 mg. capsule of Lysine on an empty stomach the day you consume these trouble foods. Amino acids will generally not work if you take them with food but I have taken a Lysine after eating a few nuts and that seems to work OK. Or I take it when my stomach empties about 2 hours later

If you feel an outbreak coming on, take 1000 mg. of Lysine twice a day for a few days until better.  But don’t take any amino acid consistently as we maintain a delicate balance of them.

Calcium and Vitamins D, A and K2 are very helpful during outbreaks, as well as extra DHA (part of what’s in fish oil or Cod Liver Oil). Viruses attack the fatty cell membranes, and these membranes are stronger when nourished with fat-soluble vitamins.

I’ve used Systemic Formulas VIVI for many years to fight viral outbreaks. It’s combined here in my online store with Lysine. I also add Monolaurin, an excellent anti-viral in its own right. Instructions on taking these are on their Online Store pages.

Here’s the combination Vitamin D, A and K2  in my online store.  This Multi has Vitamin K2 as well as 5 MTHF, the preferred form of  Folate.  Rosita cod liver oil, sold in my online store, is great for anti-inflammatory EPA-DHA and has some all-natural A and D as well.  This cod liver oil is fresh, raw, and un-fermented. Also find it in gel caps here.