Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (159 page)

Menstrual period.

Hormonal imbalances.

Amino acid imbalances.

Action plan

Cold sores are often a sign that you are run down, so you need to look after yourself and your diet.

EAT/DRINK

Fresh fruits and vegetables and vegetable juice. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants needed by the immune system to help to fight infections.

Water—up to half a gallon daily.

Mung beans, mung bean sprouts, lima beans, and fish. These contain lysine, which inhibits the growth of the cold-sore virus.

Zinc-rich foods, including fish, pumpkin seeds, raw shelled hemp seeds, brown rice, chicken, and sesame seeds.

AVOID

Sugar, coffee, alcohol, refined foods, spices, saturated fats, and fried foods. These can irritate and suppress the immune system.

Chocolate and peanuts. These contain arginine, which can perpetuate the virus.

Wheat, carob, soy, oats, meat, dairy products, coconut, gelatin, pineapples, tomatoes, walnuts, and shellfish.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Pau d’arco or lemon balm tea. Both have immune-boosting and antiviral properties.

Drink aloe vera juice and swoosh it around in your mouth so that the cold sore comes in contact with the aloe juice.