(Herpes Zoster)

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The name of the virus is varicella zoster; hence the alternative name herpes zoster.

Most children contract chickenpox, which causes great discomfort – itching and fever – for a short period, and then almost always seems to go away. The problem is that once this virus has entered the body, it never leaves and lurks in the nerves and in the spinal cord. For most people this is no problem, but occasionally the virus is reactivated either by a weakened immune system, or an excessive supply of its favourite food (the amino acid L-arginine) or both.

The immune system can be weakened by many factors. The most obvious one is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but other, less obvious, factors are more likely to be responsible. Many medications, such as steroids or cyclosporin, affect the immune system. Incorrect diet can have strong effects, especially intake of sugar and stimulants such as caffeine.

The modern disease, candidiasis, which is an uncontrolled multiplication of the fungus candida albicans, can put such a strain on the immune system that it is unable to resist opportunistic microbes lurking in the body.

Candidiasis is the modern disease because it is caused largely by antibiotics and steroids. Antibiotics cause it by killing beneficial bacteria that normally keep it in check. Steroids act as a food for the fungus.

When activation occurs, the virus migrates to the nerve endings, causing severe itching, burning, sensitivity and, in the worst cases, severe pain.

The most commonly affected areas are around the head, on the abdomen between the ribs and the navel, and inside the mouth.

An attack usually starts with a few days of flu-like symptoms, and possibly pain in the area. Then very small blisters appear in little groups, and at this stage there can be severe pain in affected areas, plus generalised fatigue, depression, headache and tingling. As the lymphatic system is heavily involved in the fight against the virus, there can be pain and swelling in the lymph glands.

As the virus thrives on an amino acid called L-arginine, heavy consumption of foods containing it can increase the possibility of an attack. These foods are chocolate, dairy products, meat, peanuts, walnuts and wheat.

The attack normally lasts up to fourteen days, by which time the blisters have disappeared, but in severe cases the pain, called post-herpetic neuralgia, can last for a very long time.

A real danger is that if shingles gets near the eyes, it may damage the eyes themselves, including the optic nerves; this could result in vision loss.

Treatment

Diet

It is important to avoid foods that are high in the amino acid L-arginine; these are carob, cocoa, chocolate, dairy products, meat, peanuts, walnuts and wheat.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, for the vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids.

Avoid those foods that weaken the immune system; mainly sugars, but also all nutrient-deficient foods; it has been shown that an intake of as little as twenty grams of sugar can reduce the white blood cell count of the immune system for up to eight hours. It is therefore important to avoid it.

All the various additives used in modern food production – synthetic preservatives, colours, flavours, etc. – have to be detoxified and therefore put a strain on the immune system. Examine labels for E numbers and avoid anything that contains them.

Nutritional Supplements

¨    L-Lysine; 500mg twice per day, away from food. Molecules of this amino acid attach themselves to the virus’s receptor sites normally used for L-arginine, thus preventing absorption of L-arginine by the virus. This prevents multiplication.

¨    Vitamin C; at least 1000mg 3 times per day. This boosts the immune system and has direct effects on the virus.

¨    Vitamin A; 25,000iu per day – boosts the immune system and is good for healing.

¨    Zinc picolinate; 30mg per day with copper. Similar effects to vitamin A.

¨    B Complex; 100mg strength 1 or 2 per day – strengthens the nervous system.

¨    Vitamin B12; extra 1000mcg per day, sublingual.

¨    Potassium; 99mg per day.

¨    Magnesium; up to 600mg per day.

¨    Calcium; up to 1000mg per day.

The three minerals are important for nerve function.

¨    Vitamin E; work up from 200iu to 1000iu per day over a two-month period. Helps avoid scarring and reduces post-herpetic neuralgia pain.

¨    Flaxseed or hemp seed oil; 2x1000mg per day. Helps healing of all cells, especially in the nervous system.

¨    Reishi and shiitake mushroom extracts; antiviral and immune-boosting properties. Take a dose containing 400mg of each extract twice per day.

Herbal Supplements

¨    Coleus Forskoli; this herb boosts production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP is a substance necessary at a fundamental cellular level, playing a part in every function of each cell. It therefore follows that it is important to the immune system, and in cellular repair. Take 100mg of extract containing 10% forskolin 2 or 3 times per day.

¨    Boswellia; for inflammation. Take extract containing 400mg boswellic acid twice daily. As effective as NSAIDs with no side effects. Also has some antiviral effects.

¨    Elderberry; very powerful antiviral effects. Take 150mg of extract four times per day for the first week, then reduce.

¨    Cats Claw; powerful immune booster and anti-microbial.

¨    St. Johns Wort; helps reduce nerve pain. A liquid extract is available which, as well as St. John’s wort, contains lomatium, which has very useful antiviral effects.

This is unfortunately a long list of supplements. It is an acute problem that needs tackling vigorously from the start.

Note

This is against all advice that we would normally give. Under almost all circumstances, exercise is beneficial, but unfortunately vigorous exercise reduces the white blood cell count for a few hours. Many athletes are more prone to infections than non-athletes. Be careful with exercise if you catch shingles.

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