The effect of Zinc on Cold Sores

Zinc is a metal and one of the essential mineral required to support human health. Zinc deficiency can lead to slow wound healing, diarrhea and infections. Zinc promotes a healthy immune system, which is essential to keep viral infection such as the herpes virus in check.
Low levels of zinc cause a decline in the function of T-cells that normally fight cold sores. This can happen within a few days of decreased blood levels of zinc. In a test tube, zinc also counteracts the growth of the herpes simplex virus in the absence of T-cells, suggesting that zinc levels influence cold sore recurrences.

In a pilot study conducted by the University of Naples, Italy, Twenty patients (12 females; median age 26.6 years) with a history of recurrent herpes labialis >6 episodes each year were treated with systemic zinc sulfate 22.5 mg twice daily for the months of February, March, September and October. All patients were followed for 12 months.

The Results? Herpetic lesions reduced to <4 episodes (average 3) for the 12 months and the duration was <7 days for each episode (average 5.7).

Supplemental zinc may offer benefits for the duration, severity or frequency of cold sores, especially in people who start out with low zinc stores. Zinc costs less than the prescription drugs and can be obtained without a doctor's prescription.

In addition to its effects on herpes outbreaks, using zinc supplements may offer positive effects on other medical problems such as osteoporosis, acne, macular degeneration, stomach ulcers and the common cold.

You can also include food rich in zinc in your diet. Dietary supplements are useful but real food is a much better way to maximize your nutrient and vitamin absorption. Here is a quick list of food with high level of zinc:

• Oysters
• Wheat Germ
• Veal Liver
• Low Fat Roast Beef
• Lamb (Mutton) - Cheddar Cheese

We do not recommend the following foods; they have a high level of zinc but due to higher Arginine levels (the amino-acid Arginine promotes herpes outbreaks!) they should be avoid:

- Sesame Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Squash Seeds
- Peanuts
A daily intake of 25mg of zinc sulfate supplements is recommended to prevent outbreaks or at least reduce the duration of outbreaks. Like any dietary supplements, more is not necessarily better, so higher intake of zinc is not recommended as it may interfere with the absorption of other nutrient like copper, iron and calcium.