In this article, I’m going to teach you about the most powerful vitamins for cold sores. Using vitamins, other supplements, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction, I’ve now gone without a single cold sore outbreak for four years.
Before I started taking vitamins for cold sores, I would get frequent cold sore outbreaks on my lips.
They were super embarrassing and led to many psychological issues.
Nowadays I live a wonderful life 100% free of cold sore outbreaks.
I owe a great deal of my success to using extremely effective vitamins for cold sores.
They are SO GOOD that I just had to share these cold sore vitamins with the world, and that’s why I decided to write this article.
If you use the vitamins for cold sores outlined in this article, you’re sure to either eliminate or drastically reduce the number of cold sores you get.
Vitamins For Cold Sores – Herpes Simplex Virus
I believe the first step in preventing cold sores with vitamins is to know what you’re up against. Thus, before we start talking about the best vitamins for cold sores, let’s briefly talk about where cold sores come from.
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimuli (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again.
Okay, so now you know about the enemy…but how do we use vitamins and other supplements to prevent cold sores?
Answer: By focusing on vitamins that BOOST the immune system, and by taking a VERY IMPORTANT amino acid supplement known as L-lysine. Let’s discuss these now…
#4 L-lysine
L-lysine is one of the most important supplements for cold sores.
Why?
In 1981, Christopher Kagan, M.D., discovered that if he isolated HSV in a petri dish, and added the amino acid L-arginine, the virus would multiply.
However, when he added L-lysine, the virus’s ability to multiply became inhibited.
He realized the virus becomes inhibited because lysine blocks the bioavailability of arginine, which prevents the virus from replicating.
Herpes simplex virus
In simple terms, the virus that causes cold sores has a very difficult time replicating when there are high levels of lysine and low levels of arginine in the body.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study concluded that “Lysine appears to be an effective agent for reduction of occurrence, severity and healing time for recurrent HSV infection.”
In the study, the cold sore treatment group was given 1,000 mg L-lysine tablets three times a day for a six-month period.
To use L-lysine as a powerful cold sore supplement, take 1,000 mg of Solgar L-lysine three times daily on an empty stomach, as it is absorbed better this way.
#3 Zinc
Another one of the top cold sore vitamins, zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
Zinc is also found in many cold lozenges and some over-the-counter drugs sold as cold remedies.
According to a research study, a large percentage of the world is deficient in zinc.
While there are many symptoms that can result from having inadequate levels of zinc, the ones I’m going to focus on in this article are related to cold sores.
Two side effects of zinc deficiency are:
- Impaired immune function
- Delayed healing of wounds
Low levels of zinc cause a decline in the function of T-cells that normally fight the virus that causes cold sores. In test tubes, zinc also counteracts the growth of the herpes simplex virus in the absence of T-cells, which means zinc is a very important mineral in the treatment of cold sores.
To make sure you don’t suffer from zinc deficiency, take one capsule of Thorne Research Double Strength Zinc once or twice a day with food. Taking this cold sore supplement can help to prevent outbreaks in a major way!
#2 Liposomal Vitamin C
On a daily basis, our body uses antioxidant vitamins to boost the immune system, warding off colds, flus, cold sores, and more.
One of the most important antioxidants for this is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid.
Vitamin C can give your immune system a serious boost.
Here are just a few things that using vitamin C for cold sores does:
- Vitamin C boosts the immune system by attacking the nucleic acid of the herpes simplex virus.
- Vitamin C has been shown to boost white blood cell count, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the immune system.
- Vitamins C acts as an antioxidant which combats free radicals, allowing your immune system to be better equipped to combat invading bacteria and microbes.
The best way to use this powerful cold sore vitamin is to use liposomal technology. Regular vitamin C doesn’t absorb well in the body, and over 50% of the nutrient ends up literally getting flushed down the toilet with urine (sorry to paint this picture).
Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C encapsulates the C molecules in liposomes made from essential phospholipids, which protect the vitamin C from destruction in the digestive system.
Within minutes of taking liposomal vitamin C for cold sores, liposomes filled with vitamin C are transported directly into your bloodstream, and into your cells.
This form of vitamin C has by far the highest bioavailability. To help prevent cold sores, take one or two packets a day.
#1 The Triangle of Health
When it comes to preventing cold sores with supplements, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking the Triangle of Health, which is the best supplement I’ve found for boosting the immune system, reducing stress, and preventing cold sore virus flare-ups.
I’ve had so many people email me to say that the Triangle of Health has been helping them live a life without worry of getting cold sores unexpectedly.
The downside is that it’s super expensive, but it’s well worth the money to not have to deal with cold sores anymore.
Learn How It Works to BOOST your Immune System and Fight off Herpes Simplex Virus>>
Vitamins For Cold Sores – Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed learning about these vitamins for cold sores as much as I did writing about them. There are literally dozens more supplements that I would’ve loved to write about, but that’s not necessary.
You only need a few REALLY POWERFUL vitamins for cold sores.
Now that you know about the most powerful and effective vitamins for cold sores, I can’t wait for you to try some out and get some great results.
The key to cold sores is to prevent them from forming in the first place.
Thus, I encourage you to check out my Ultimate Guide to Preventing Cold Sores.
It’s free and has absolutely everything you need to know.
If you have any comments or questions on vitamins for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Ari says
Thank you so much!
Matt says
My pleasure Ari! Take care. ????
Rachel says
I am so happy I stumbled upon this article! I too suffer from cold sores and it’s embarrassing to walk around with blisters on some part of your face. I never took any vitamins (except for prenatal and nursing vitamins) but I’m going to invest in this for my health and sanity.
Matt says
Awesome Rachel! That is great to hear! Good for you. ????