Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is the result of reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus in people who have previously had chickenpox. Latent virus remains in the dorsal root ganglia of the sensory cranial and spinal nerves. When a person becomes immunocompromised (weakened immune system), the virus reactivates and breaks out in the form of shingles. Shingles flare-ups can become very painful. One way to relieve shingles flare-ups and help the immune system fight the infection is to follow a shingles diet.
A shingles diet study suggests that eating foods that are high in lysine and arginine may help reduce the severity or extent of the disease. Arginine and lysine are amino acids; Amino acids are what make up protein in the body. The two, however, have different functions. Lysine provides the raw material needed in the production of collagen. Collagen is responsible for wound healing and plays a role in bone growth. Arginine, on the other hand, is one of the components of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is important for maintaining healthy and normal blood pressure.
Arginine is found to stimulate the growth of herpes simplex. Lysine, meanwhile, offsets the effects of arginine. Because of this, the two amino acids compete with each other for absorption by affected cells. And since the virus that causes herpes simplex and shingles are related, it’s thought that a diet consisting of foods high in lysine and low in arginine may also help people with shingles.
A shingles diet that is high in lysine includes lots of meat, fish, and poultry. yes Farm-raised poultry should be preferred to those found in the wild, as they contain less arginine and more lysine. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt should be included in a shingles diet as they are also high in lysine. Vegetables and soybeans are also excellent sources of lysine.
Since arginine encourages shingles flare-ups, a shingles diet should include foods low in arginine. Some multivitamins contain arginine; These types of multivitamins should be avoided. A shingles diet should also minimize, if not avoid, foods including chocolate, white bread, brewer’s yeast, nuts, and oatmeal.
And since shingles is primarily due to poor immune system functions, a good shingles diet should help the immune system fight off the infection. Zinc and vitamin C are essential to keep the immune system healthy. Vitamin C is mainly found in fruits and vegetables; oranges, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, potatoes, and bell peppers are excellent sources. Zinc, on the other hand, can be found in vegetables, whole grains, poultry, red meat, and oysters.
A proper diet is always a part in managing any disease. The best diet for shingles, consisting of foods rich in lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, should be followed to heal shingles faster and minimize symptoms of the disease.
