What Causes Cold Sores - How To Stop Your Cold Sore Now
May 22nd, 2008 by Denny Bodoh
What causes cold sores (or oral herpes and fever blisters) in most folks? By the time you are done reading this article, you will know for sure what causes cold sores in nearly all situations.
What causes cold sores? The short answer is the herpes simplex virus. About 80% of the sores are caused by herpes simplex type 1 - the rest by type 2.
The herpes virus, most of your life, is inactive - hiding deep in the nerves, where your facial nerves connect. About a third of those infected will never know they are infected because their body will keep it from activating.
Because it lives in your nerves, herpes simplex virus can quickly sense conditions that are favorable for it to replicate. It will move to the surface and enter nerve cells there. The herpes simplex virus then forces the cells to create new virus.
Once the cell is filled to capacity, or is exhausted, it is eliminated. The new virus spills out. The destruction of a huge number of adjacent cells creates the open ulcer-like wound.
Basically, the herpes simplex virus is what causes cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes sores. But, we really need to focus on is what conditions we can avoid to keep the virus from becoming active.
These are the three main triggers that produce the right conditions to activate the herpes simplex virus.
1. POOR IMMUNITY.
Good immunity depends on strong antibodies. This keeps the herpes simplex virus from taking control of your surface nerve cells. Building powerful antibodies depends on certain factors.
Building powerful antibodies is dependent on the nutritional value of the food you eat and the vitamin supplements you use.
Frequent cold sore events mean your immune system is too weak to protect you. You should begin eating more vegetables - especially those grown organically. Your best quality nutrients, by far, come from the foods you eat.
Take a high-quality vitamin supplement every day. This alone aids in preventing cold sores for a lot of people. But do not waste your money on those rip-off drug store one or two-a-day pills.
Find a reputable store that specializes in vitamins. They will have the quality products you need. Look for high levels of B and C vitamins. These burn up fast when under stress.
2. HIGH ARGININE CONTENT IN THE CELLS.
Arginine and lysine are two very important amino acids critical to your good health. The also are important when it comes to cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes.
Arginine is an essential ingredient in the creation of herpes simplex virus. If not enough is available, the cell cannot create virus clones. This means no cold sore will appear.
Lysine is not friendly to herpes simplex virus creation. In fact, it is like putting water on a fire. Your cells store both these amino acids in the same area. Space is limited - the more of one protein, the less space for the other.
Flooding your body with lysine by eating high lysine foods will help push arginine out of the cells. Lysine supplements are great for this also. Many people swear by this high lysine treatment for preventing a cold sore.
3. YOUR pH LEVEL IS ON THE ACID SIDE.
To remain in perfect health, your body needs to be on the alkaline side of the pH scale. The pH scale has 14 points. 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acid and above 7 is alkaline.
Your system will usually range between 6.5 to 7.35 pH. Any drop below 7 moves you into the acid range and creates the right conditions for activating the herpes simplex virus and causing cold sores.
When your body is on the acid side, your oxygen levels are lower also. Since this is a perfect condition for viruses, your herpes simplex virus may come out of hiding. Carbonated drinks and sugar cause your body to go acid.
Also, winter causes cold sores because it causes your body to move toward an unhealthy acid level. Cold, less exercise, lower intake of vegetables and limited outdoor activity all play a big part in acidifying your system.
Avoid acid producing products mentioned above. Eating more green vegetables, like asparagus, will help raise your pH levels. And, you can get excellent alkalizing supplements at the vitamin store.
What causes cold sores has many answers. I have just given you the big three that will help you determine what causes cold sores in your life.
