There are many ways to safely and effectively suppress the effects of both the HSV-1 (oral), and HSV-2 (genital) strains of the Herpes virus such as using a non-prescription Herpes product.

Medavir Reviewed: Medavir is a topical Herpes gel which is primarily composed of one ingredient: SnF2 (Tin(II) fluoride also known as StannousFluoride). This ingredient has been shown to effectively alleviate the symptoms of current HSV-1 (oral) outbreaks. However, using this ingredient will not help alleviate HSV-2 (genital) outbreaks, and will not help improve the immune system which will help prevent future outbreaks from developing. Furthermore, Medavir costs $79 per bottle which makes it one of the most expensive Herpes products on the market especially compared to $5 tubes of oral Herpes gels, which contain the exact same ingredient.

Rather than spending $79 on a product which only works for current oral outbreaks, we suggest a more proactive and long-term approach to suppressing the Herpes virus such as taking a daily Herpes supplement. These supplements will not only help alleviate the symptoms of both oral and genital outbreaks, but will also help improve the immune system which in turn will help prevent future outbreaks from developing.

Below are the highest rated Herpes Supplements available online:

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is a common incurable viral infection which affects over 45 million Americans.

Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are two species of the Herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, which cause infections in humans. Eight members of Herpesviridae infect humans to cause a variety of illnesses including cold sores, chickenpox or varicella, shingles or herpes zoster (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and various cancers, and can also cause brain swelling (encephalitis). All viruses in the herpes family produce life-long infections.

The disease is classified in 3 main forms.

Herpes Simplex Virus - HSV-1, commonly known as Cold Sores or Oral Herpes affects the mouth internally (canker) as well as externally.

Herpes Simplex Virus-2 - HSV-2 or Genital Herpes which affects the sexual organs.

Herpes Zoster - Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), commonly known as Shingles is a residual disease from Chicken Pox and can be transmitted through any physical contact. This form of Herpes is very aggressive and any direct contact on any area of your body can become infected. These outbreaks are sub-types of Herpes and are often called other names such as

• Pink Eye - Not always Herpes but is caused when the HSV mucous is rubbed into the eye. This can eventually lead to blindness.
• Chicken Pox - Generally affecting children

Most individuals have none or minimal signs and symptoms from a Herpes infection. When signs do occur, they can be very painful and typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or lip area. The initial outbreak is always the longest lasting and most painful.

Natural Supplements to Strengthen the Immune System

Attention to diet and nutrition is a simple and effective approach when managing Herpes outbreaks. Using natural supplements created to supply the correct amount of nutrients will provide the body with the defenses required to reduce or eliminate outbreaks all together.

Proper Diet in relation to Herpes refers primarily to the amino acids Lysine and Arginine which are in many foods that we consume daily. Arginine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning that it can be manufactured by the human body and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. Arginine is required by the Herpes virus to grow and become active. Therefore, foods low on Arginine are recommended.

Lysine, which is an essential amino acid, meaning humans cannot synthesize it, does the opposite of Arginine and slows down the growth of the Herpes virus by naturally restricting the levels of Arginine in the body. So, to help manage outbreaks it is best to eat foods HIGH in Lysine and LOW in Arginine. Taking the minimum Lysine Supplement tablets daily will improve your body's resistance to the Herpes Virus and reduce the stress of maintaining the proper diet. There are no side effects noted, so more people are opting for supplements.

We recommend supplements with the proper combination of Lysine, Vitamin C, Zinc, Bioflavonoids and using pure versus synthetic ingredients and contain all the recommended natural ingredients for herpes.

For more information about specific foods that are low in Arginine, but high in Lysine Please click here: Herpes Diet Information.

Herpes and Exercise

Besides learning more about the Herpes virus including how diet can affect outbreaks, it is also important to understand the role of your immune system. In the simplest terms, the better your immune system is, the better your body will be able to suppress the Herpes virus. While it is possible to improve your diet and to avoid engaging in unhealthy activities like smoking or drinking too much alcohol, maintaining a regular exercise routine will also help to improve your immune system.

Those that are affected by the Herpes virus and that take the most preventative actions such as taking a daily suppressive supplement, adjusting their diet, and improving their lifestyle, typically have the most success at suppressing the Herpes virus. This means that adding more exercise to your weekly schedule will help to improve your immune system and therefore help your body be able to handle the effects of Herpes including outbreaks. It should be noted, that it is in your best interest to consult with a health care provider before starting any new exercise program to ensure that you are not doing too much, too fast.