Dietary
Lysine-Rich Diet
for Cold Sores
Eating foods high in lysine while limiting arginine-rich foods to suppress HSV replication through amino acid competition.
How it works
Herpes simplex virus requires arginine for replication. Lysine competes with arginine for cellular uptake, inhibiting viral replication by altering the arginine-to-lysine ratio.
What to watch for
High-lysine foods include dairy, fish, and legumes. Limit arginine-rich foods: nuts, seeds, chocolate, oats. Evidence is mostly from supplementation studies, not dietary trials.
Community experience
Other remedies for Cold Sores
See all 10 remedies →WikiRemedy surfaces community experience, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional.