Cold sore lysine - is it the miracle cure for cold sores that many claim? Find out the truth. Get the latest research facts, right now, about cold sore lysine remedies for herpes sores.

Cold sore lysine treatment has been in the news a lot in recent years. Studies continue to show it to be very helpful for relief of these persistent sores. But many people who write about lysine do not know how it actually works.

FACT: Cold sores are quelled by lysine similar to a fire being quenched by water.

A fire is extinguished with water because the water prevents oxygen from feeding the fire. Lysine can stop or prevent cold sores the same way. Lysine starves the herpes virus of what it must have to replicate.

But, before you use lysine to treat your sores, it will help you greatly to learn about what causes them and how lysine really works to stop them.

The herpes simplex virus moves to the surface for the sole purpose of creating new virus. This parasite virus enters a cell and forces that cell to produce new virus clones. When full, the cell is broken open to spill out the fresh virus.

The painful, unsightly sores on your face are the result of the destruction of thousands of close-together body cells by the herpes simplex virus.

FACT: Arginine is the oxygen that makes cold sores burn.

Protein is what the herpes virus is made of. To create new viruses, your cells need arginine as the main ingredient. Without it, virus replication is impossible.

Arginine and lysine are considered essential amino acids. Your body cannot create these. They are essential for your health and must come from your diet. Each amino acid has a specific function in the body.

Your cells have special receptors that store arginine for various purposes. A cell that is invaded by herpes and is forced to make clones will use up this arginine in the process. New herpes virus cannot be built without arginine.

FACT: Lysine quells cold sores by keeping arginine from being available.

You see - lysine is also stocked up in the cells, using the same receptors as arginine. Lysine, if consumed in large enough quantities, will actually force some arginine out of the cells by taking its place. Arginine and lysine compete for the same space.

Here is the best news. Lysine cannot be used to create new virus. Like water, it cannot burn. And because lysine forces arginine out of the cells, it removes the main building block for the virus.

FACT: Lysine must be taken orally to reach the cells and be absorbed.

The best way to flood your cells with cold sore lysine is by eating high lysine foods. Dairy products, meats, and fish are excellent sources of this amino acid.

For convenience, you can find lysine capsules at most stores that sell vitamins. These are very convenient since they reduce the need to change your diet. Combining diet with supplemental lysine would still be the best method.

You may have seen topical remedies that contain lysine. These may be helpful treatments for cold sores - but not because of the lysine.

Lysine does not absorb through the skin to prevent cold sores, nor is it any good once the sore opens up. The lysine molecule can only be absorbed by the cells through the normal nutritional pathway - the bloodstream.

IT IS TRUE - lysine does work well at putting out those burning cold sores. Also, sufficient lysine on a daily basis is useful as a preventative measure. But lysine can get into the cells only if taken orally.

Lysine is perfectly safe. It is just a protein fraction. Commonly, lysine supplements are taken in doses up to 4000 mg. per day during the outbreak. Some folks also take 500 to 1000 mg. daily to prevent cold sores.

Beating your cold sores may be as simple as eating high lysine foods, avoiding high arginine foods, and taking a booster dose of lysine in capsules. This is the very best way to get therapeutic levels of cold sore lysine.

About the Author, Denny Bodoh:

Tired of being a prisoner to those awful cold sores? If so, go and grab this very good free information about cold sores. Denny Bodoh will show you a few incredible cold sore cures and remedies that really work. Wellness business.