"Cold Sores" During the Holidays

Have you noticed that people get more "cold sores" during the holidays? This is can be explained by two mechanisms:

1. People during holidays get stressed out. They may feel on the outside more relaxed, however, there is more stress during the holiday season that may lead to a weakened immune system. Thus, "cold sores" would appear because the virus that causes them is now free to roam and invades cells to duplicate.

2. Eating foods high in the amino acid arginine and low in Lysine (another amino acid) can cause the virus to duplicate freely. It turned out that arginine is essential for the virus to gain entry inside the cell in order to duplicate. Lysine can block its entry. However, eating foods during the holidays that are rich in arginine and low in Lysine makes it easier for the virus to propagate. An example of foods rich in arginine and low in lysine is the "holiday food" walnuts.

Happy New Year 2009: The Ten Healthy Life Commendments

Happy New Year 2009.

Healthy lifestyle is what most people aim to have every new year. Here are some elements of healthy lifestyle:

1. Exercise: varies among individuals
2. Eat healthy foods: vegetables, fruits, good quality protein (nuts), and fresh water; avoid fast and processed foods
3. No smoking
4. No alcohol drinking
5. Minimize caffeine intake
6. No soda drinking
7. Plenty of water drinking (at least 8 cups of 8 oz. each daily)
8. Herbal/Vitamins/Mineral Supplements: Choose a good standardized formula
9. Have a good attitude in life: Focus on the positives; minimize the negatives
10. A minimum of 7 hours of good sleep daily