Cold sores are small blisters that appear on the mouth or inside the nose and are caused by the Herpes simplex virus. They can be transmitted by sharing eating utensils, drinking from the same glass/bottle or via contact like kissing. Over 70% of Australian’s carry the Herpes simplex 1 virus!

Outbreaks of cold sores occur when a person’s immune system is compromised when they are sick, run down or stressed and can also be activated from sunburn or exposure to cold.

The best way to prevent cold sores is to enhance your immune system with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and a healthy balanced diet and cut out things that aggravate them.

Zinc: A trace element that supports the immune system as well as promotes healthy skin and wound healing.

Vitamin C: Involved in the function of antibodies and white blood cells therefore important for the immune system. Research suggests that Vitamin C has the ability to reduce the severity and duration of colds as well promote wound healing. It is also an important vitamin in improving capillary permeability and a potent antioxidant!

L-lysine: An amino acid that has been proven to reduce the severity and frequency of cold sore outbreaks. Lysine inhibits the DNA replication of the virus and I recommend cold sore sufferers take 500mg/day as a preventative. Foods high in lysine are legumes, sprouts, fish, and dairy.

Cut out/reduce

L-arginine: This is an amino acid that aggravates the Herpes simplex 1 virus. Foods high in L-arginine are chocolate, nuts, carob, coconuts, soya beans, and oats and should be avoided when you can feel a cold sore coming on. If you continuously get cold sores it might be best to completely cut these foods out of your diet.

One very important thing to remember is that stress is a huge contributor to cold sores so find ways to cope better in stressful/busy times – try meditating, listening to music, talking to someone, exercising or just take time for yourself!