Lysine and cold sores - an excellent remedy if used correctly. By the time you are done reading this short article, you will know the truth about using lysine for cold sores.

Lysine for cold sores is much talked about these days. The truth is - lab and empirical data strongly support the use of lysine for cold sores.

How does lysine work for cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes? What is the best way to use it?

Good questions for sure.

But, prior to using lysine for cold sores, it is best to know as much as possible about how a cold sore is created.

It is the herpes simplex virus that is the cause of all cold sore events. You may call them a cold sore or a fever blister. Whatever you call them, they are identical oral herpes sores.

90% of the world population carries this terribly contagious virus. It is most common to be exposed to it before 12 years old.

For most of your life, the herpes virus is hiding in the nerve roots. For facial sores, the virus resides behind the ear, in the nerve ganglia. If the virus stays latent, you will never experience a cold sore.

The herpes simplex virus, because it lives in your nerve cells, can quickly sense a change in your immunity. If so, it will activate to replicate. Stress is the primary trigger that brings on a cold sore event.

Herpes virus moves to the surface through the set of nerve fibers that it has chosen to occupy. At the surface, each virus particle picks out a nerve cell to enter.

The cold sore virus then makes the cell create new virus copies. Once the cell is filled to capacity, it bursts open and the new virus gushes out, looking for a home.

The cold sore is a large ulcerated wound caused the disintegration of a huge group of surface nerve cells.

Arginine is a common protein fraction (amino acid). It is the primary protein needed to build new herpes virus. It is found, to some degree, in most foods. Arginine is particularly high in chocolate and nuts.

Your cells have a specific area within the cell for storing amino acids such as arginine.

Lysine is also an essential amino acid. Dairy and fish are good sources of lysine. New herpes virus can not be created using lysine. It is like putting water in your gas tank.

Lysine and arginine share the same storage area in your cells. The more lysine you put in storage, the less room for arginine.

Reducing your arginine supplies by increasing lysine intake is a trick many folks use to stop herpes virus activity and support quick healing. It can also prevent future cold sore events by starving the herpes virus of the fuel it needs.

You can increase your lysine levels with a diet rich in vegetables, fish and dairy products. Also, not eating high arginine foods, such as chocolate and nuts, will help reduce your arginine levels.

But, modifying your way of eating for the sake of fighting cold sore, fever blister or oral herpes outbreaks is usually not convenient or fun. I prefer lysine supplements. They are easy to find, quite cheap and convenient.

With lysine capsules, you can change your intake based on your need. And you often do not have to give up the foods you love, such as chocolate or nuts.

Lysine is one of many common proteins and is quite safe. To treat a cold sore, dosages of 2000 to 4000 milligrams daily are the norm. Many people take 500 milligrams per day to help prevent future oral herpes cold sore outbreaks.

But, this is where you need to be careful.

Lysine for cold sores is awesome when taken as an internal remedy. But it has not been very effective when put directly on the sore.

There are lysine salves on the market for use as cold sore remedies. Lysine must get into the cells to work. Lysine does not absorb through the skin. You must take it orally for good results.

Lysine for cold sores is one of several really good cold sore remedies that you will find useful.

I would like to give you a lot more tips about lysine for cold sores and some additional cold sore remedies. But I have run out of room here. I know you would benefit from my other articles on the subject of cold sore treatment and prevention.

Whether you want to shorten the duration or to prevent future outbreaks, lysine is powerful medicine. But, keep this in mind. There are several other excellent cold sore remedies for you to try. They may be even better for you than lysine for cold sores.