Garlic

I have been taking 2 to 4 cloves of fresh garlic every night for years, but I recently got Shingles ( even though I had both Shringrix vaccinations) two weeks after my last COVID booster and while searching information about shingles I came across an article that said the amino acid Arginine in garlic can reactivate the Shingles virus. I was shocked !!! and now I am afraid to continue taking the garlic. I thought it was one of the best things that I could do for my health. Does anyone have any information about this problem with garlic. After suffering through Shingles, I don't want to repeat it by reactivating the Herpes virus. Thanks

I just read your post and then looked up what foods to avoid regarding shingles. One of the posts went on to list everything that one might consider healthy....so hard to know sometimes what to think and do.
It might be that the amount, or raw vs cooked, or a supplement vs raw.
I have had three bouts of shingles in the last 20 years, mild and no other symptom other than visual blisters a mild pain. Last bout 2021. I finally took the shingle vaccine in 2023. I have taken garlic supplements all my adult life and have cooked with it as well.
We are all different but it might be how we are taking the garlic.???
Barbara

Yes !
I am still trying to find out if there is a connection to raw garlic (which is what I was eating every day) to the arginine, in raw garlic that can activate the singles virus!
I did have both of the vaccines for shingles and I still got shingles. I want to do everything I can to help myself and it is very frustrating to be afraid to take something that may be harmful. I have not taken any raw garlic for nine months because I am still looking for proof of what to do. thank you

There is an option to raw garlic. It’s black garlic, fermented for weeks and used in Asian kitchen. It’s sweet like dried prunes, no odor or no burning and when you read about it, it’s presumably better for you than the raw kind. I buy it in a Mexican store. It’s in a jar by the register. It’s $2.50 for one garlic. You can try any Asian stores as well.

Since allicin is the ingredient in garlic with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, and allicin is reduced or removed by fermentation, I think it would not be helpful...