Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (239 page)

Water: half a gallon a day. Fluids are vital for cleansing the body and for the white blood cells to function.

Fresh fruits and vegetables. These contain the antioxidants needed by the immune system to fight the virus.

Apples, pears, and beets, which all have a good L-lysine to L-arginine ratio and can be eaten freely.

Chicken, turkey, and fish also have good amounts of L-lysine relative to L-arginine.

Spinach and chard. These both contain sulphur, which aids cleansing, and are cooling. Both these properties can help to relieve herpes.

Freshly pressed vegetable juices. This is one of the best ways of giving the body the nutrients it needs to overcome the virus and to speed healing. Beets,

apples, carrots, celery, radishes, parsley, ginger, and cabbage can all be included.

Garlic and onions. These have antiviral and anti-infective properties.

Olive oil, flax seed oil, and hemp seed oil. These are high in vitamin E,which can speed healing of lesions.

AVOID

Sugar, refined carbohydrates, soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and salt. These can all suppress the immune system and deplete the body of nutrients.

Foods high in the amino acid L-arginine. Arginine suppresses the amino acid L-lysine, which is one of the body’s main lines of defense against viral growth. Arginine is found in pecans, sesame seeds, walnuts, citrus fruits, wheat, chocolate, dairy products, corn, and peanuts. These are best avoided or eaten in moderation during an attack.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Nettle, lemon balm, licorice, rose hip, fennel, and echinacea teas.

Supplement with L-lysine, which has well-known antiviral effects.