How to fight cold sores? Epigenetically!

It’s a vicious creature. Once infected with Herpes sipmlex virus (HSV), it is very difficult to get rid of it completely. Those viruses that survive the defensive manoeuvres of our immune system become encapsulated and thus invisible to our immunity. In hiding, they then quietly wait for any weakening of the organism to begin rampaging again.

However, epigenetic substances are proving to be relatively effective in the fight against cold sores. The processes that take place while the encapsulated HSV becomes an active virus again are mostly epigenetic in nature. A study published in the American Society for Microbiology has shown that epigenetic agents can block this process.

The purpose here is primarily to promote epigenetic reactions that switch off the genes responsible for activating the virus from its latent state and its subsequent multiplication. An important role here is played by enzymes called histone methyltransferases, which are involved in a reaction called histone methylation (histones are proteins on which DNA strands are stranded). If the production of these enzymes is suppressed, the genes that are essential for HSV ‘wake-up’ and multiplication are switched off. However, epigenetic substances also affect other epigenetic reactions that are essential for the expression of these genes, such as histone acetylation.

In addition, epigenetic substances can be used to suppress the function not only of HSV, but also of many other viruses, such as adenovirus-5 (which causes respiratory infections), cytomegalovirus and even Zika virus.

Which nutrients will help?

Both drugs with epigenetic effects and dietary supplements containing high concentrations of nutrients commonly found in the diet are effective against HSV. These include in particular:

EGCG – epigallocatechin gallate from green tea has a direct destructive effect on Herpes simplex viruses, both HSV-1, the known cause of cold sores on the lips, and HSV-2, the causative agent of genital herpes. It also suppresses its multiplication.

Curcumin – a dye contained in the spice turmeric effectively blocks the acetylation of histones, which is necessary for reading the genes that ensure the multiplication of HSV-1 and thus reduces its infectivity. At the same time, it significantly supports the activity of the immune system.

Resveratrol – a dye from red wine suppresses the multiplication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 as well as its “awakening” from the latent phase. It is particularly effective in the early stages of infection, i.e. at the first signs of herpes zoster.

Coconut oil – although the lauric acid it contains does not act epigenetically, it does help dissolve the envelope of encapsulated viruses, making them “visible” to the immune system.