Herpes virus infections
From The Nutritional Health Bible by Linda Lazarides (1997). This free database is provided for interest only. Linda's later writings refer to more up-to-date research.
Promising nutritional researchThe long-term application of zinc products to genital and facial herpes eruptions greatly reduces or prevents recurrences of the infections. Eby GA et al: Use of topical zinc to prevent recurrent herpes simplex infection: review of literature and suggested protocols. Med Hypotheses 17(2):157-65, 1985.
A group of 27 herpes sufferers administered supplements of the amino acid L-lysine for 6 months experienced an average of 2.4 fewer herpes infections, and had greatly reduced severity and healing time compared with the placebo group. Griffith RS et al: Success of L-lysine therapy in frequently recurrent herpes simplex infection. Treatment and prophylaxis. Dermatologica 175(4):183-90, 1987.
Of 1543 herpes sufferers assessed by questionnaire after 6 months on supplements of the amino acid L-lysine, 84% reported that the supplements prevented recurrence or decreased the frequency of herpes infections. 79% described their symptoms as severe or intolerable without lysine. 83% reported that sores healed in 5 days or less on lysine, but took 6-15 days to heal without it. Walsh DE et al: Subjective response to lysine in the therapy of herpes simplex. J Antimicrob Chemother 12(5):489-96, 1983.