If you are a cold sore sufferer and want to learn how to reduce the number of outbreaks you currently experience then this article is for you. In it I'll talk about boosting your immune system through diet, exercise and some bad health habits to break. After reading this article you should start to feel healthier generally but more importantly for you - you should see a reduction in the frequency and duration of cold sore outbreaks in the future.
We're constantly being told that our diet is no good and we should change what we eat to reduce weight and live longer by reducing the amount of heart disease suffered by the general population.
But did you also know that by eating a healthy, balanced diet you improve the function of your immune system by improving the nutrients and vitamins you eat and reducing what's bad for us like saturated fat and refined sugar? And that by improving your immune system you also help your body keep the herpes simplex virus that is responsible for your cold sores from reactivating?
The message to all cold sore sufferers is clear; cut down on fat by reducing or eliminating the amount of junk food you eat and red meat and increase lean meats and fish, plus make sure you eat a lot of fresh fruit and veg.
Diet isn't the only factor involved with the immune system though. By ensuring you take regular exercise you help you immune system too, as well as helping a healthy heart. As you get fitter you'll find you feel better, which does make it worthwhile. But how much exercise do you need to do?
If you haven't exercised in a long time then perhaps it's time to see your doctor for a check up and some advice. However, simply walking to elevate your heart rate will help, preferably for around 30 minutes each day.
While this may seem a lot, you can help yourself enjoy it more if you listen to music while walking, or even language lessons! Other options include cycling, swimming or yoga, all of which are good for you. However, don't push yourself too far, take it gradually and let yourself get used to it or you'll put extra strain on your body which will have the opposite effect to that intended.
Finally, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, now is the time to stop. Both put an extra burden on the immune system, although there is some evidence that a small amount of red wine can be beneficial to health.
By considering the points above you can minimize the impact of the cold sore virus on your life. It can be a miserable time while you're suffering from an outbreak, but using the natural cold sore remedies above can help your body fight the virus better so you won't endure so much misery from this nasty condition.
