Lysine for cold sores
Can you give me more information about the use of Lysine for cold sores? I have been told by a nutritionist that I cannot take this amino acid, which has worked very well to protect me from outbreaks, for longer than six months at a time or when pregnant. It occurs to me we should know more about the contraindications for all these supplements.
It is difficult to be definitive when it comes to listing contraindications for most of the supplements and herbal remedies on sale, not least because unless someone has funded clinical research proving one way or the other that a particular agent may be harmful either at a particular dosage, over long term usage or in combination with other substances, nobody can say for sure.
What this means is that most people working in this field very sensibly err on the side of caution. At the very least, we contraindicate all herbal and many of the nutritional supplements in pregnancy, unless you have been advised to take them by a qualified health practitioner who knows that they are doing.
Lysine, as you know, is antagonistic toward the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores and for recurrent outbreaks, the recommended daily dose is 1000mg for 12 months after which you should take a break. There is a strong possibility that using this amino acid alongside calcium supplements can both increase the absorption of calcium and decrease the amount of calcium lost in urine which means, anyone planning to use both, should also seek advice.
There is one reported case of much higher doses of lysine (10g a day) leading to renal failure but, if you stay within the lower recommended dosage range of 1g a day, there is no suggestion that you must stop using this supplement after six months. If you want to step up your intake from foods, you need to eat more meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs and beans.
Higher Nature’s Lysine and Vitamin C is a dual supplement providing both individual nutrients in good therapeutic dosages. Each bottle contains 60 x 1000mg of immune-boosting vitamin C and 60 x 500mg of lysine and the idea is that you take both each day. Mail order from Revital (0800 252875) where the combined 120 tablets cost £10.90. To prevent cold sores, take two of each a day, especially when you know you are prone to an outbreak, including times of increased stress or exposure to sunlight. If you have a flare up, increase this dosage until symptoms clear to six of the lysine tablets and two of the vitamin C.