Do you want to know what causes cold sores? The answers may surprise you. Read this excellent article to uncover what causes cold sores for you.

The herpes simplex virus is basically what causes cold sores in everyone.

Of all those infected, about a third will never get a cold sore. The virus will stay dormant deep in the root cells of the facial nerves. The other two-thirds of us will get repeated outbreaks.

If the herpes virus decides to replicate, it will move to the surface and enter your cells there. This destructive virus then forces the cells to create new virus particles.

Swelling of the area occurs as the cells bulge with the new virus. Once full, the cells are destroyed - releasing the virus hoards and creating your cold sore crater.

The herpes simplex virus is the root cause of all cold sores. But, to stop cold sores, you need to know what actually activates this virus.

Below you will discover the top three triggers responsible for herpes virus activation and replication.

1. YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS TOO WEAK.

High cold sore immunity depends on strong antibodies. These are the soldiers your body creates to protect your cells. Building effective antibodies requires specific nutrients.

The vigor of your antibodies is directly related to your vitamin and mineral intake - from food and supplements.

If you suffer frequent outbreaks, it is a sign of immune weakness. Eat more fresh, uncooked vegetables and fruits. These provide the best quality nutrients.

You also would be wise to start taking vitamin supplements every day. This may be all you need to do to heal and prevent cold sore misery. But avoid worthless bargain vitamins.

Buy the highest quality supplements you can afford. Look for high levels of B (50 - 100 mg.) and C (500 mg.) vitamins. These burn up fast and must be replaced daily.

2. HIGH ARGININE TO LYSINE RATIO.

These two essential amino acids, arginine and lysine, are important for your good health. They also play a big role in cold sore events.

For the cell to create new herpes simplex virus, it must use arginine. Without arginine, herpes virus cannot be created nor will a cold sore happen.

Herpes virus cannot be built using lysine. Your cells store both these amino acids in the same area. The more of one means less of the other.

Taking in high amounts of lysine crowds out arginine and helps stop cold sore formation. Eating fish and dairy works well. Most people, however, use lysine capsules for convenience - a powerful cold sore treatment.

3. YOUR pH BALANCE IS TOO ACID.

On the pH scale 7 is neutral. Above 7 is alkaline, below 7 is acid. For optimal health, you want to stay in the alkaline range.

Your body will usually range between 6.6 and 7.35 pH. Any drop below 7 into the acid zone reduces your resistance and could activate the herpes simplex virus.

Acid pH means lower oxygen levels and weak resistance to pathogens. Contributing factors that can cause your body to be acid include soda, sugar, white flour and tobacco.

Also, winter weather causes acid pH levels. Cold air, less outdoor exercise and lower availability and intake of fresh vegetables all contribute to an acid body.

Avoid acid creating food and stress situations. Eat more green vegetables - asparagus is excellent for this. Also, vitamin stores often carry kits for raising your pH to healthy levels.

There a few other more advanced causes of cold sores I would love to share with you, but I am out of space and time here.

These are the three basic causes, however, that will help you determine what causes cold sores in your life - and help to eliminate them completely.