What causes cold sores is basically the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 or type 2. Type 1 is what causes cold sores about 81% of the time. Type 2 causes the remaining outbreaks. Both cause identical fever blister, cold sore or oral herpes sores.
When not creating another cold sore, the herpes virus hides deep in the roots of your facial nerves. Two-thirds of those infected will experience one or more cold sore outbreaks in the next 11 months.
The herpes virus only becomes active when it senses the right conditions for replication. The virus will then move up the nerves to the surface, enter the cells, and force them to create virus clones.
The cells burst open when they become full - releasing the new virus particles. The cold sore is a result of thousands of destroyed cells.
There are three triggers creating the perfect environment to activate the herpes simplex virus in our bodies.
1. DROP IN IMMUNE STRENGTH.
The strength of your immunity to herpes virus depends on the quality of the antibodies your body has previously created. Powerful and effective antibodies depend on certain factors.
The most important factor to a strong immune system - the nutrients you get from your diet.
First, consume more vegetables. Organic or local-grown vegetables are ten times better than commercially grown produce because they provide better quality and high quantities of vitamins and minerals.
Second, add a high quality multi-vitamin to your daily routine. This reduces frequency of cold sore and oral herpes outbreaks.
But do not waste your money on cheap drug store vitamins. Go to a real vitamin store. Buy the best you can afford - or you will be very disappointed.
2. CELLS HAVE TOO MUCH ARGININE IN STORAGE.
Lysine and arginine are two amino acids your body needs. And they both have a big effect on cold sores.
Arginine is the main protein needed to construct new herpes virus. If the cell does not have enough arginine available, it cannot create virus clones.
Each cell has special receptors for storing lysine and arginine. More lysine means less arginine in storage. And the good news is - lysine cannot be used to make viruses.
Eat high lysine foods, such as dairy products and fish. This will increase lysine in your cells - and reduce the availability of arginine. Lysine capsules are easy and convenient when you want big amounts of lysine. This is a powerful therapy that can reduce and eliminate cold sores.
3. YOUR pH BALANCE HAS GONE ACID.
Your body was designed to be healthiest when slightly alkaline. This can be measured on the pH scale, which ranges from 1 to 14. Below 7 is acid, above 7 is alkaline.
Your system usually remains between 6.4 and 7.4. Dropping below 6.4 encourages viruses and other chronic diseases - including cold sore outbreaks.
The herpes virus will not activate if your body is alkaline. When you are acid, you will have lower oxygen levels and a weaker immune system. Foods contributing to an acid situation include coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, fat and sugar.
Cold weather (winter cold and flu season) causes an unhealthy drop in pH levels. Less exercise, lower intake of vegetables, less sunshine and little outdoor activity all play a big part in creating an acid environment.
To keep a healthy alkaline balance, avoid the acid-producing foods mentioned above. Begin eating more green vegetables, like asparagus, and you will raise your pH levels.
And, check out the vitamin stores for special formulas to keep your pH on the alkaline side. Taking additional calcium supplements will help greatly also.
You now know the three most common causes of cold sores. Hopefully the information provided in this short article has helped you discover what causes cold sores in your life.
Related Articles
What Causes Cold Sores And How To Prevent A Cold Sore
By: Denny Bodoh | 31/05/2008 | Health
What causes cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes? If you will let me right now, I will reveal what causes cold sores in most sufferers.
What causes cold sores, basically, is the herpes simplex virus. It comes in two varieties - type 1 and type 2. Both create identical sores....
Cold Sore Treatments: Avoid Getting Ripped Off
By: Denny Bodoh | 13/06/2007 | Medicine
Cold sore treatments are always of vital interest for those of us who suffer those burning cold sores. There are new treatments coming out all the time. Many claim to be the final answer to your prayers. Some cold sore treatments are worth the money, and some...
Preventing Cold Sores Without Expensive Cold Sore Remedies
By: Denny Bodoh | 23/05/2008 | Medicine
Preventing cold sores (fever blisters - oral herpes) was once nearly impossible, but now quite simple. If you will let me explain in this article, you will quickly realize how easily you can be preventing cold sores.
Preventing cold sores (fever blisters, oral herpes) can often be done with nothing more...
Preventing Cold Sores - Freedom From Cold Sore and Oral Herpes Lesions
By: Denny Bodoh | 29/05/2008 | Health
Preventing cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes was once a real mystery, but now revealed. If you will let me, I would love to share this simple way you can use today for preventing cold sores.
Cold Sore Treatments - How to Pick the Right One
By: Denny Bodoh | 21/06/2007 | Non-Fiction
Please do not spend another dime on cold sore treatments until you finish reading this article. I want you to be savvy and prevent you from being disappointed when looking for cold sore treatments.
Cold Sores - a Pandemic?
By: Denny Bodoh | 12/11/2005 | Home and Family
Cold sores are one of the most contagious viruses known to man and have been for over 2,000 years. The more you know about this enemy, the better you can deal with it. Although medical technology has not been able to find the answer to this dreaded virus,
Cold Sore Cures - Will This Simple Tip Cure Your Cold Sores?
By: Denny Bodoh | 10/07/2008 | Health
Cold sore cures? Some say YES. Others say NO. Read this short article and finally know the truth about cold sore cures.
Cold Sore Cures - Is There Truly A Way To Cure Your Cold Sores?
By: Denny Bodoh | 15/07/2008 | Medicine
Cold sore cures? Wondering if there really is are cold sore cures - or are just Internet hype?
This short article should clear up a lot of questions for YOU. Read it now and you will finally know the truth about cold sore cures.
Many experts, such as my good friends at...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Health Articles
Stress - Driving Them Away
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Chances are you will not be able to reduce your stress level overnight. Many of us have become quite used to stress on the road. However, by trying to make our trips as pleasant as possible, we can go a long way to lessening driving-induced stress.
Stress - Bring An End To The Meal-Time Rush
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
Even if you don't have children, meal time can be major stress time. Your mate might become irritable while awaiting dinner, and you might be grumpy as well. Hunger can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be the cause of major stress. Sometimes, you might find it difficult to concentrate as your stomach is growling.
Mind Over Matter At Vital Times
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at one mans survival with the power of the mind after a catastrophic personal injury.
Stress - Are Your Kids Stressing You Out
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
While you can guide your child, you cannot expect to control him or her, particularly when your child reaches the teenage years. Therefore, you have to learn to somehow manage the stress of parenthood before it gets the better of you.
At Home DNA Testing is Here
By: Jason Kay | 21/08/2008
You can't watch a crime drama on TV, or the news (think Anna Nicole Smith) for very long nowadays without hearing about DNA. DNA testing can tell who fathered a child. It can rescue an innocent inmate from prison, or prove the case against a criminal. DNA testing can give...
Fighting Cancer From Within
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at the research that is being carried out into the treatment of cancer and how new findings hope to secure a way of using the bodies own defence system to beat the killer disease.
The Health Benefits of Vitamin C
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
The C vitamin is also an antioxidant for the body and helps other vitamins and minerals to be absorbed better. Folic acid and iron, for example, need the C vitamin to maximise their usefulness. The more C vitamin that the body has, the better its defence against colds and other common ailments.
Massage Therapy - History and Development
By: Paul Hata | 21/08/2008
During 500 BC-50 AD, the Greek and Romans used massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 AD, Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.
More from Denny Bodoh
How To Get Rid of Cold Sores In Three Easy Steps
By: Denny Bodoh | 13/08/2008 | Health
How to get rid of cold sores is of big interest to millions of folks today. In this short article, I would like give you 3 steps you can use to discover how to get rid of cold sores with ease.
Lysine and Cold Sores - Amazing Medicine For Your Cold Sore
By: Denny Bodoh | 01/08/2008 | Medicine
Lysine and cold sores? Yes, lysine is an excellent cold sore treatment, but only if used correctly. Please read this article to avoid a common mistake in how you use lysine for cold sores.
Lysine for cold sores has been proven an effective treatment by years of empirical data and studies.
But,...
Lysine for Cold Sores - Strong Medicine For Your Cold Sore
By: Denny Bodoh | 21/07/2008 | Health
Lysine and cold sores? You have probably heard about it. Now know the truth how to use lysine for cold sores. Do not make the mistake others do.
Cold Sore Cures - Is There Truly A Way To Cure Your Cold Sores?
By: Denny Bodoh | 15/07/2008 | Medicine
Cold sore cures? Wondering if there really is are cold sore cures - or are just Internet hype?
This short article should clear up a lot of questions for YOU. Read it now and you will finally know the truth about cold sore cures.
Many experts, such as my good friends at...
Cold Sore Cures - Will This Simple Tip Cure Your Cold Sores?
By: Denny Bodoh | 10/07/2008 | Health
Cold sore cures? Some say YES. Others say NO. Read this short article and finally know the truth about cold sore cures.
Cold Sores - Recommended First Aid For Oral Herpes Cold Sores
By: Denny Bodoh | 17/06/2008 | Health
Cold sore first aid for easy healing, and preventing future cold sores is now possible. Get your life back! The following are medically sound first aid ideas you will want to try.
1. COLD SORE FIRST AID FOR DISCOMFORT
Ice is one of the most universal cold sore remedies for stopping the...
Cold Sores - First Aid For Treating A Cold Sore
By: Denny Bodoh | 11/06/2008 | Health
Enjoy fast, effective first aid for your cold sore or oral herpes sore. If you get frequent cold sores, or if they do not heal quickly, you need to read this article on cold sores and oral herpes right now.
What Causes Cold Sores And How To Prevent A Cold Sore
By: Denny Bodoh | 31/05/2008 | Health
What causes cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes? If you will let me right now, I will reveal what causes cold sores in most sufferers.
What causes cold sores, basically, is the herpes simplex virus. It comes in two varieties - type 1 and type 2. Both create identical sores....
Health 
