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You are here: Home / Shingles (see also, Herpes & Monolaurin) / Shingles Nutrients that Help

Shingles Nutrients that Help


Nutrient Supplements
 

Of course, with our monolaurin, phospholipids and essential oils, we believe we have provided a wonderful 3-Step Treatment Plan that has brought relief to many people.  However, there are other nutrient supplements and plant extracts that have made claims of being helpful for shingles and PHN.  While our plan has clinical support, we want to make you aware of others.  They fall into three categories.

1. The first categories, those with antiviral and/or anti-inflammatory properties and those that enhance the immune system, have the same goal as conventional antiviral drugs: to stop the virus from replicating.

2. Unlike antiviral drugs, however, many supplements have a number of health-optimizing actions and therefore also support recovery; these represent the second category ofnutrient supplements helpful for shingles and PHN.

3. Topical pain relievers comprise the third category.

Antiviral and/or Anti-Inflammatory Supplements

A variety of plants are known for their virus-killing action, including garlic (Weber et al. 1992; Guo et al. 1993), elderberry (Zakay-Rones et al. 1995), and rosemary (Paris et al. 1993; Aruoma et al. 1996), which is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Olive leaves have an active ingredient called Oleuropein, which has been shown in studies to be antiviral (Ma et al. 2001). It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory effects and has been used since ancient times to clean wounds. Flaxseed oil and fish oil contain omega-3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties (Raederstorff et al. 1996; James et al. 2000; Thies et al. 2001).

Monolaurin

Monolaurin is a fatty acid with antiviral properties that is found in coconut oil. It disrupts the lipid membranes of envelope viruses such as herpes and rhinovirus, and has been proven effective against HSV-1 (herpes symplex virus Type 1) (Kristmundsdottir et al. 1999; Clarke et al. 2000).  (We have much more to say about monolaurin in other articles!)

Particularly helpful supplements include the following:

  Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract contains unstable polyphenolic compounds that are chemically converted into more stable substances that belong to a diverse class called quaternary ammonium compounds. These compounds exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity–the ability to kill a wide variety of bacteria and viruses–without the toxic side effects of the chemically derived quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzethonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride, which are used industrially as antimicrobials.

In laboratory tests conducted at the Southern Research Institute, William M. Shannon, Ph.D. (head of the Microbiology/Virology Division), reported that grapefruit seed extract “. . .was effective in inactivating HSV-1 after a 10-minute exposure at a 1:256 dilutions.”

  Green Tea Extract

Green tea exhibits antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant powers (Das et al. 2002; Fassina et al. 2002). Research has demonstrated that green tea catechins can inhibit the viral enzymes of reverse transcriptase and polymerases used in replication (Tao 1992). They have been shown to be effective against herpes simplex 1 experimentally. In addition, various polymeric oxidation products of polyphenols contained in green tea have been found to inhibit the herpes simplex virus.

  Immune-Enhancing Supplements

The healing properties of echinacea have long been known among American Indians. Studies have shown that it begins stimulating the immune tissue in the mouth as soon as it is taken. Echinacea enhances the body’s ability to dispose of infected and damaged cells; it has interferon-like activity against viruses; and it stimulates the white blood cells that fight infection (Burger et al. 1997; Thompson 1998).

Another supplement that enhances the immune system is HSOs (homeostatic soil organisms), beneficial bacteria that will survive and grow in the intestine for a variety of health benefits, including stimulating the immune system. Scientific research has demonstrated that HSOs stimulate the body’s production of alpha-interferon, used by the body to protect cells from invaders such as viruses.

  Supplements That Support Recovery

Almost all damage to the body occurs via molecules called free radicals, which oxidize molecules within cells. The remarkable health benefits of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are supported by volumes of scientific research. Taking antioxidants in the course of shingles or PHN will support the body’s recovery from the disease. A multinutrient formula like Life Extension Mix contains the key antioxidants in addition to a variety of other nutrients such as the B vitamins important for healing.

Topical Pain Relievers

A review of the actions of Chinese motherwort, Leonurus sibericus, in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (1976) reported that a bath prepared from the leafy shoot relieves the discomfort and itching of shingles. An article by Hijikata et al. (1998) in the same journal reported the findings of an experiment in which administration of hot water-soluble extracts of Ganoderma lucidum (36-72 grams dry weight a day) in a bath dramatically decreased pain in two patients with PHN unresponsive to standard treatment and two others with severe shingles pain.

Also known as Ling Zhi, or “mushroom of immortality,” this plant is a general tonic that stimulates the immune system with sedative and analgesic properties and is known especially for its benefits to the skin (ganoderma means “smooth skin”). Its active ingredients include polysaccharides, triterpenoids, adenosine and other amino acids, minerals, and organic germanium. Inflacin is the trademark name of a topical pain relief cream that functions by suppressing excess production of arachidonic acid, an proinflammatory precusor.

   Ribavirin

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study using topically applied 5% ribavirin in ointment base against herpes zoster in cancer patients indicated definite efficacy as reported in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Zertuche et al. 1977).

Ribavirin is approved in the United States only as a secondary therapy against the hepatitis C virus and as a primary therapy against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants. This drug has been politically suppressed by the FDA, and no further studies to substantiate the role of ribavirin in treating shingles can be found. Offshore pharmacies might offer topical ribavirin ointment.

Conclusion

Because almost all adults have been infected with the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox, almost everyone is at risk of developing shingles, an unpleasant condition characterized by rash and pain. Symptoms are usually localized in a particular area of the body supplied by the sensory nerve root in which the virus has lain dormant.

It is not known why the virus becomes active again, although age and any compromise of the immune system are factors. Normally, with prompt antiviral and pain-relieving therapy, shingles resolves within about 1 month, never to return. However, herpes zoster infection can have serious complications, including secondary infection leading to scarring, paralysis of the affected area, and pain that persists beyond 30 days after rash onset, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Most risk factors for PHN–age, pain before rash, and severe pain with rash–cannot be controlled. However, rapid and sufficient therapies that stop virus replication, which damages the nerve root and leads to PHN, and pain, which sensitizes the nerve root, can minimize the risk.

For this reason, complementing conventional drugs with nutrient supplements and plant extracts. These supplements do not have the side effects of conventional treatments, and they offer a variety of actions that optimize health and support recovery from the infection.

Most effective among these possibilities is our 3-Step combination of coconut monolaurin and other coconut monoglycerides.  With topical products, we also add a full blend of coconut phospholipids and plant essential oils to our organic base for skin health.

 

What People Are Saying:

I have had Hepatitis C for 25 years and I started taking monolaurin three times a day and in six months my viral load went from 9,990,000 to 468,000, at this rate by my next blood test in six months the virus should be cleared and undetected. 

Anonymous Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I’ve been using Monolaurin for about 2 years now for Herpes and have not had one outbreak since taking it.  Every once in a while when I feel I may be close to an outbreak, I increase my dosage for a couple of days and it goes away.

Anonymous, CA Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I have Fibromyalgia and often can’t sleep at night due to pain. Since taking monolaurin before bed, I sleep deeper and with much less pain than in the past.  The relief is significant and lasts.

Eric T. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I have been battling Chronic Lyme Disease and have been supplementing with Monolaurin. I believe this product has helped me cope with Lyme symptoms with no need to fear any bad side effects. 

Anonymous, PA Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I am so grateful there is a product out there like Monolaurin that could help me get healthy in a safe way. Within a month of using Monolaurin, my energy level tripled, and as a result, I’m a much happier person.  

Anonymous, MA Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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Thanks to your protocol I on my way to ridding myself of Hepatitis C. after 20 years! My viral load was 10 million + and after 90 days of monolaurin, 3 scoops per day, it has dropped to under 2 million! 

Richard W. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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Before taking Monolaurin, I would have herpes (simplex 1) outbreaks at least once every month. I took Monolaurin 2x a day for one month and have not had a single outbreak since!

Anonymous Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I am a 59 year-old woman and have had major outbreaks of genital herpes since I was 20. I started Monolaurin about 1½ year ago. The only outbreak I’ve had was when I was feeling so good I forgot to take it. Thank you for this wonderful supplement that has changed my life! 

Anonymous, OR Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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The Monolaurin has been a miracle for helping me with my shingles.  I am symptom-free after taking it for just a short time at three scoops a day. 

Susan F. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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Nothing ever worked to rid my skin problem like Skin Defense. So I am ordering the 32oz bottle. 

G.L Ramona Inspired Nutrition Skin Defense

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My wife had MRSA so bad that the Dr. said she was going to die. They could not even come close to killing it. She has had MS for 43 yrs but I didn't want MRSA to kill her. She started taking monolaurin &. Bio fibrin & within 2 weeks she was getting better along with cleaning up her UTI infection. She is alive today because of your product, thank you very much!!!

 

Tom K. Inspired Nutrition Bio Fibrin

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I’m a holistic health practitioner with over 30 years of experience. I’ve suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and slowly worked up to 3 full scoops of Monolaurin a day and can’t believe the results…I haven’t felt this good in YEARS!

Marcie J. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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My brother told me how the doctors could not believe how our cousin’s wife recovered, when all of us relatives knew she was dying from battling MRSA. She took your products and was healed from it! I know this to be true because she was able to fly to visit family in the last couple of weeks!... No one in our family would ever think she could have done that as bad as she was before with MRSA. What a miracle!

Carolyn H. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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I ordered the C-A-Y Defense cream and this stuff is incredible! It heals everything from my cuts and scratches to my psoriasis, I highly recommend it!

Roberta P. Inspired Nutrition C-A-Y Defense Cream

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After my diagnosis of HIV/AIDS 3 years ago, your products brought me to a degree of health I experienced as an athlete prior to my diagnosis. I am free of HIV through multiple tests and off all pharm. medicines.  

Kirk E. Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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Using the Monolaurin and Bio-Fibrin, I brought my viral load down 2 million with the first Jar.  

Leola A. Inspired Nutrition Bio-Fibrin

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My daughter and I start taking Monolaurin when we feel like we are getting a cold or sinus infection. We used to get them quite regularly but now we have not had one in 2 years. 

Anonymous, OH Inspired Nutrition Monolaurin

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