HPV Diet

According to the Mayo Clinic, the human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause abnormal growths on a variety of body parts. When its sexually transmitted, warts generally appear on the genitals or anus. Over-the-counter and outpatient surgical options exist for treating these warts, but dietary changes can help your symptoms as well. Dietary changes might also prevent future breakouts.

Foods

There are several foods and supplements you can try to combat your HPV symptoms, particularly the warts caused by the disease. In general, James F. Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of Prescription for Natural Cures, suggest eating whole, nutritious foods to help build up your immune system. Whole foods are foods that are complete by themselves, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Simple or added sugars can suppress your immune system, which will reduce your ability to effectively fight warts.

The "Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women suggests taking Vitamin A to help build up your immune system and fight the warts. Either take a Vitamin A supplement, or find Vitamin A in foods like squash, leafy green vegetables, sweet peas and carrots. Along with Vitamin A, Balch and Stengler recommend taking 400 IU of Vitamin E daily, as Vitamin E works with the immune system to combat viral infections. You can also find Vitamin E naturally in whole grain cereals, tomatoes, spinach, nuts and seeds. Use sunflower or safflower oils for cooking to increase your Vitamin E intake.

A Selenium deficiency can also make it easier for warts to replicate. Take 200 mcg of Selenium daily. Dried, unblanched Brazil nuts provide large amounts of Selenium. As a matter of fact, one ounce contains 780 percent of the recommended daily value. You can also find Selenium in tuna, beef and cod.

Echinacea should be among the supplements you consider as well. Because it has antiviral properties and supports immune function, take two ml or 300 mg twice a day. Echinacea works best to combat an outbreak, so take it prevent HPV symptoms, rather than cure them.

In addition to supplements and specific foods, you might also benefit from herbs. Earl Mendell, author of Natural Remedies for 150 Ailments, recommends taking 500 mg of both garlic and olive leaf extracts twice daily. Both of these herbs have antiviral properties.

Doctor

If youve tried alternative therapies for a month without seeing an improvement in your HPV symptoms, see your doctor. Balch and Stengler say that a doctor should treat venereal wart infections, as they can recur and spread to your sexual partner(s).