LYSINE
Alternative Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

 The following is an unofficial explanation linking the ratio of lysine and arginine to the outbreak of cold sores and hence possibly to TN if one accepts that some cases of TN may be caused by herpes simplex lesions along the trigeminal nerve. The explanation has been provided by a person who wishes to remain anonymous. Please note that this information is only presented as an interesting possibility, and no professional evaluation of it has so far been made.

 Apparently, the balance of lysine to arginine (amino acids) in your body is important in preventing cold sores. If the arginine increases too much in relation to the lysine, then the environment becomes friendlier to the herpes virus and you are more likely to get a cold sore. Likewise, if you increase the lysine in relation to the arginine, then the virus is discouraged and the cold sore goes away. The theory/recommendation is to avoid foods that are high in arginine (e.g. gelatin, chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, whole-wheat and white flour, peanuts, soybeans and wheatgerm) and eat foods that are high in lysine (e.g. fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, cheese).

In the USA, you can buy tablets called L-Lysine (at health food stores), which are supposedly helpful in warding off imminent attacks (i.e., when you feel the tingle, if you take L-Lysine, it's supposed to help prevent an outbreak).

A list of foods and their lysine/arginine ratio is provided at

  Lysine.