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There are 8 herpes viruses that infect humans, including HSV1, HSV2, Shingles (Herpes Zoster), Chickenpox, Mononucleosis, and Epstein-Barr (chronic Mono). All share a common need for ARGININE amino acid.
Did you know that shingles is a Herpes virus?
Shingles Herpes Virus is a reactivation of Chicken Pox and can occur or reoccur anytime when overly stressed, Vitamin D stores are low, or excess Arginine is consumed (see below for more on Arginine).
Acute vs. Chronic Shingles
Shingles creates a blistery, red, itchy rash that can be very painful. The rash can clear in 10 to 14 days if treated quickly. Overall, allow 2 – 6 weeks for pain and symptoms to stop. Many recover faster.
Sometimes shingles recurs, or, stays longer. There can also be a bacterial infection at the shingles site if it has been scratched and traumatized. Treatment is different for bacteria.
If you are struggling with chronic shingles, some natural help for shingles tips include: check your Vitamin D is between 60 and 75, have a doctor look for bacterial infection at the site, and make sure you are off high Arginine grains (wheat, corn, rice and oats).
Lysine and Arginine Amino Acids and Shingles
Lysine and Arginine are amino acids (proteins) found in most foods. There are 20 amino acids, and 9 of them MUST be gotten in food. These are called Essential Amino Acids.
Lysine is an essential amino acid. We MUST acquire it in food or supplements. Animal protein (meat, seafood, poultry) is by far the largest source.
Arginine is found in many foods, but is especially high in GRAINS (wheat, corn, rice, oats). See below for a detailed list of high Arginine foods.
Herpes viruses, including shingles, replicate using Arginine. Lysine-dominant food (animal protein) and supplements help block Arginine.
Diet is the #1 natural relief for shingles.
Natural Help for Shingles
#1. First get on prescribed Valtrex or Acyclovir pills and/or topical immediately once shingles has been diagnosed. The sooner the better.
Valtrex (Valcyclovir) can block herpes virus replication. It does not CURE the virus or treat the immune dysfunction that caused the outbreak. It helps reduce the infection for a short time (day to day) and is not meant to be taken long-term.
#2. Stop grains immediately, including wheat, rice, corn and oats. Increase animal protein such as beef, chicken or fish. Add plenty of vegetables – best absorbed when lightly cooked, not raw. This is the Paleo Diet adapted for Herpes.
#3. Start Lysine immediately and for as long as desired. I take it twice daily for life as I had chronic HSV2 for decades until I discovered a genetic immune flaw (CVID) preventing my immune system from working right.
Lysine (and all amino acids) work best on an empty stomach. They don’t have the highest therapeutic value if taken with food, but are simply part of the protein in the meal. It won’t hurt to take Lysine then if you forgot to take it on arising and either mid-afternoon or bed. It just won’t work as well.
When fighting Shingles, try 1000 mg. Lysine twice daily between meals. Increase to 1500/day if needed and off grains. If you still choose to eat grains (the seeds of wheat, corn, oats and rice), take up to 4000 mg./day Lysine temporarily, not long term.
#4. Vitamin D with K2: get a blood test for Vitamin D levels. Don’t TAKE Vitamin D for 2 days before you test it. You want D at 60 – 85 (for life). If your D is lower than this, take Vitamin D3 (better than prescription D2) at 2000 – 10,000 i.u. daily until it stabilizes at 60 – 85. (Test again in 6 months).
Always buy D WITH Vitamin K2. It increases absorption and reduces the accumulation of calcium in your arteries. This is the D + K2 I have carried for decades.
#5. I have many articles, podcasts and supplements for herpes (all types of herpes!) on my website. These are valid professional products, not “miracle cures” sold on the web.
The Herpes Defense Pack includes 7 products for Shingles, HSV, Epstein Barr and Mono. The main infection fighters are whole Olive Leaf, Green Tea EXTRACT, Lysine, Monolaurin, Melissa (Lemon Balm) tincture and Systemic Formulas VIVI ( a terrific anti-viral for viruses of ALL types). Instructions come with this pack, or buy items separately and study the guidelines on my product pages or in the Herpes PowerPoint 90-minute video found here.
Topical Help for Shingles or Herpes Virus
I have used Urban Releaf topicals for years. They have several for HSV, Shingles and Chicken Pox. Soothing and anti-infective and can be applied anywhere on the body except eyes (in my experience).
Go here to find their Lemon Balm Salve and oils.
There are many OTC ideas for topical support, such as Calamine Lotion, Lidocaine and Capsaicin creams. Prescription options are available from your doctor.
The Low-Arginine Diet for Shingles and Herpes
There are several versions of the low-Arginine, high Lysine diet on the web.
All of them are inaccurate, in my opinion, except mine – developed over 20 years.
The KEY is reducing the QUANTITY of Arginine you eat, not the RATIO of Lysine to Arginine. Don’t make this common mistake!
Many vegetables, for example, have a little Arginine and the ratio of Lysine to Arginine is low. But the tiny quantity of Arginine in them is nothing compared to toast, pasta or corn chips. Bread, cookies or corn chips are thousands of times higher in Arginine than spinach or mushrooms.
The Low Arginine Diet for Herpes or Shingles
Animal proteins (fish, beef, poultry, lamb), plenty of lightly cooked vegetables, and butter, ghee, coconut oil or avocado oil. Add some potato and sweet potato, a little fruit. Some eggs.
You may lose weight and feel better overall!
What to avoid? All grains (wheat, corn, rice, oats, rye), beans, collagen supplements, bone broth, most protein powders. These are very high Arginine foods.
Articles and Podcasts on Help For the Herpes Viruses
Here is a detailed article and my Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast on “The Paleo Diet Adapted for Herpes”.
Articles and Podcasts on Shingles – the other herpes virus. Here are #1, #2, #3 and #4 for starters.
Helpful Supplements for Shingles and Herpes
Fixing the diet may be 75% of your improvement. The remaining 25% is from stress, friction, heat and immune system problems such as low Vitamin D.
Never scratch the blisters. Cover them lightly with gauze if needed.
Here are the supplements in the Herpes Defense Pack. They are all helpful on their own but make a powerful team when used together. These are what I take, and what I have in my Clinic for Clients and online buyers:
Supreme Nutrition WHOLE Olive Leaf; Pure Encapsulations Lysine; Systemic Formulas VIVI – Virox; Ecological Formulas Monolaurin; Premier Research Labs Green Tea Extract (ECGC); Melissa Lemon Balm Tincture and Passion Flower Tincture.
Highly recommended in addition (daily for life) is this combo D3 Complete Daily Balance with Vitamin D + K2 + Vitamin A. Take 2 to 4 daily with a meal forever.
Shingles Nerve Pain
Shingles Herpes Virus lives in the nerves.
Some of the acute pain, and most of the chronic pain is from the infection and inflammation of the nerve.
The above advice for food and supplements should be followed until the rash and pain are gone. Prescription Gabapentin helps many with nerve pain.
