Monday, December 8, 2008

Causes Of Cold Sores And How To Be Cold Sore Free

By Denny Bodoh

What are the causes of cold sores? This article will tell you quickly. You will learn the main reasons for a cold sore. You will quickly identify the causes of cold sores for yourself.

There are many causes of cold sores that you hear about. Stress, illness, injury and winter weather are a few. They are not the actual causes of cold sores however.

We call these cold sore triggers. Folks claim these are causes of cold sores because you often get a cold sore along with them.

What they actually do is change your body in such a way as to encourage the activation of the cold sore virus.

Basically, every cold sore, oral herpes or fever blister ulcer is caused by the herpes simplex virus - type 1 or type 2. It hides in your nerve root cells.

When your body conditions are right, the herpes virus moves to the surface along the nerve, enters the nerve cells there and destroys them as it creates new virus.

The herpes simplex virus can tell when there is any change in your body because it makes its home in your nerves. It will quickly sense the effects of the above mentioned triggers.

Here are the three basic causes of cold sores. These are the right conditions that the herpes virus needs to activate and replicate.

1. ACID pH.

The acid or alkaline state of your body is its pH balance. The pH scale runs from 1 through 14 - below 7 is acid and above 7 is alkaline. Your optimal pH is 7.35, which is slightly alkaline.

You usually will not get any cold sore as long as you stay above 7 pH. If your pH drops below 7 you are becoming acid. Oxygen in your cells drop and you are inviting a cold sore outbreak. This is one of the main causes of cold sores.

Stress lowers your pH levels toward the acid side. This is why they say stress causes cold sores. Fevers, cold weather and sun exposure also can cause your body to become acid - and are also considered causes of cold sores.

Coffee, soda and alcohol lower pH and causes cold sores in many people. Meats like pork and beef will do so also. Most vegetables are alkaline when digested. You must keep your diet in balance to prevent a cold sore event.

Without a doubt, a low pH is the main cause of cold sores. The next two are also causes of cold sores. Combining these with a low pH makes you a sure target for another cold sore.

2. LYSINE AND ARGININE OUT OF BALANCE.

Arginine is a protein and the main ingredient used for creation of the herpes simplex virus. If no arginine is available, the herpes replication process cannot occur and no cold sore will happen.

Your cells have a special area within the cell to store arginine. Lysine is also stored in the same area. If you take in high levels of lysine, your cells will make room for it by getting rid of some arginine.

Lysine is a protein that will not cause cold sores. The more lysine stored in your cells, the less arginine will be available. This prevents oral herpes cold sore outbreaks.

Taking lysine supplements is the most common way folks get enough lysine to prevent cold sores.

3. THE POWER OF MULTI-VITAMINS.

The power of your immune system - and the strength of your antibodies - is dependant on the nutrients you take in. In particular you need proper quantities of minerals and vitamins.

A feeble immune system causes cold sores. It would be wise, especially if you get frequent cold sore outbreaks, to get a good supply of vitamins and minerals from food and supplement every day.

Even the American Medical Association agrees that today we do not get optimum quantities of essential vitamins and minerals from food alone. You should also be taking a premium quality multi-vitamin supplement every day.

Especially important is calcium. Cold sore victims are often calcium deficient. Your body uses calcium to help keep your body in an alkaline state.

Now you know the truth. The primary causes of cold sores are a low pH balance, large amounts of stored arginine and a poor immune system with weak antibodies.

Stress, mental or physical, causes your body to go into an acid state. Stress also uses up a lot of vitamins and minerals, which weakens your immune system.

Keep in mind that all cold sore triggers ultimately lead to these primary causes of cold sores. Eliminate these and you will not get cold sore outbreaks.

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