I am taking issue with your statement that canker sores are a herpes virus. When in Dental Hygiene school, we were taught that they are an autoimmune response, and NOT a virus at all. Thanks for listening.
‘Canker sores’ has 2 definitions. In many parts of the country, canker sores refer to the herpes type II lesions more appropriately called cold sores. These lesions are typically on the outside of the mouth, or lips; only occasionally inside the mouth. The medical definition you refer to is also called minor aphthous ulcers, which are always on the inside of the mouth. They are both potentially painful, and both are often triggered by similar things—stress, lowered immune system, nutritional deficiencies. They are both treated similarly—eat good ‘real’ food and avoid sugar and processed food, take supplements that supply important nutrients, learn to relax and deal with the stresses of life.
I stand (actually I sit, because I am at the computer) corrected, and will call a cold sore a cold sore, and not a canker sore. Thank you for your insight.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
7 responses so far ↓
1 Bev Taylor // Nov 17, 2009 at 4:06 pm
cold sores/canker sores I have found a neat product that heals either…it is called “Zilactin”…it comes in a small tube like orajel…the “second” I feel a bump starting I put a bit on my lip & the cold sore NEVER develops!! Shock –Shock. Bev
2 Dr. Stan Gardner // Nov 17, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Lysine, an amino acid, is my recommendation for cold sores
500-1000mg typically prevents them; 1000-2000mg typically treats them.
3 Penny // Nov 17, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I agree with Dr. Gardner, I use Lysine for cold sores. I usually take the 1,000 to 2,000 dosage when I feel a cold sore coming on, same with canker sores. It works well with both.
4 Sharon Beyler // Nov 17, 2009 at 10:50 pm
We have used Lysine also. Works great! But if Zilactin stops it before it starts I will try that too!
5 Dan // Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 pm
When I was a kid I’d get canker/cold sores continuously, one right after another and sometimes two or more at a time. The last ten years or so however much of my time was spent indoors and their occurrence was practically non-existent. With the recent scare over the swine flu I decided that Vitamin D3 supplements might be a good idea and wouldn’t you know it the canker sores have returned with a vengeance and now I‘ve got a cold sore to boot.
That set off a light in my head: when I was younger and out in the sun all the time making Vitamin D I got canker sores, now I take supplements and I’m getting them again. It makes me wonder if there’s a connection since Vitamin D plays a role with the immune system and canker sores are believed to be the result of an auto-immune response.
6 Larry Sullivan, D.D.S. // Nov 20, 2009 at 2:03 am
This business of cold sores is made so complex when it is so simple. Let me explain. Sores on the exterior of the lips are viral and can be communicated. Sores inside the mouth may be either viral or an “allergic” autoimmune reaction from various substances. Acidic foods such as citrus or tomatoes are associated with intra oral ulcers Zilactin works well in all situations, especially intra-oral as it adheres to the tissue and is not diluted by the saliva. Outside the mouth a peroxide works very well and aborts the virus up to and including the blister stage. Current tooth bleaching agents of 10% - 15% carbamide peroxide will do a great job and fast. Urea peroxide works well also, in a product called glyoxide, if available. All oxygen products have a shelf life It is the free oxygen molecule that does in the virus. I speak from personal experience as well as years of clinical experience I have no experience with lysine, but topical application is preferable to medicating the whole body with a tablet.
7 J. K. // Nov 20, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Lysine has worked well for me for over twenty years whenever an inside cancer sore develops. I take up to 2000 mg, powder in capsule form, till sores are gone usually within a day. My hygenist over twenty years ago told me of a study she did in school with peanuts and chocolate. In her control groups those who had peanuts and chocolate regularily with no lysiene supplement developed cancer sores frequently. Those who took Lysiene supplements had far fewer sores and those who avoided peanuts and chocolate and took regular Lysiene supplements never developed cancer sores during the trial period which lasted nearly a year. Both chocolate and peanuts (nuts of any kind I’ve found) zap the Lysiene reserves from the body leaving it vulnerable to the viral or immunodeficiency instigator of the sores.
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