In many cases, the food that you eat can be medicine. And while healthy eating cannot prevent you from getting infected with HSV-2, it can certainly help you manage the reoccurrence of the rashes. Below we have some nutritional tips and tricks that will help you manage better your symptoms.
Don’t Abuse Foods with a High Concentration of Arginine
A popular theory is that foods with high concentrations of the Arginine amino acid can lead to and bring back the rashes caused by HSV-2. This happens because for the virus to grow, it needs this amino acid. This will make it active once again, even if it was latent for the past few months, even years. Foods that must be avoided are:
- Oats, cooked or uncooked
- Chocolate
- Protein shakes with high concentrations of Arginine
- Nuts, including peanut butter
- Multivitamins, muscle building formulas that contain Arginine
Reducing these foods in your diet, might help you reduce the frequency of your episodes. However, you cannot eliminate these foods completely, because your body naturally needs Arginine to function properly. Find the balance that seems to work in your particular case.
Find a Balance Between Foods Rich in Arginine and Lysine
Lysine is another amino acid that seems to be stopping the evolution of HSV-2. This amino acid will help you reduce the symptoms and even keep the virus under control. Thus, if you are eating foods with high levels of Arginine, include equal levels of Lysine in your diet as well. You can even take a Lysine supplement, especially when your herpes is breaking out. Regarding foods that have high concentrations of Lysine, the list is quite generous.
- Fruits and vegetables, especially beets, mangoes, avocados, figs, papaya, roots, apples and pears
- All dairy products
- Eggs
- Brewer’s yeast
- Fish, especially code and sardines
- Meat, especially fish, lamb and chicken
Eat What’s Good for Your Skin
If a food is good for your skin, it probably works wonders for your herpes outbreaks as well. Once again, Lysine is also found in those aliments good for your skin. Moreover, the skin on your private areas also needs nutrients in order to repair and regenerate itself. So, make sure to eat plenty of foods rich in Vitamin C, Zinc, and so on. Below is a list of products rich in such nutrients.
- Strawberries
- Bell peppers
- Cauliflower
- Papaya
- Parsley
- Leafy vegetables (bok choy, spinach, lettuce)
- Green vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli)
- Beans, lentils
- Wine and juice of certain red berries
- Seafood
- Wholegrain cereals
- Citrus
Things to Exclude from Your Diet
Of course, there are certain food restrictions when it comes to keeping your herpes outbreaks under control. For instance, you should reduce completely artificial sweeteners, white bread, coffee, caffeinated drinks, soda, refined sugars, avoid taking drugs or excessive drinking.
These smart tips will help you control better your herpes infection and it will definitely make you more confident and give you back the control that you once had over your life.
