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Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)


 
Treatment Options Back to Top

Conventional

There is no cure for AIDS, but advances in drug therapy have made it a treatable disease that can be managed, perhaps indefinitely. The goal is to keep the number of viruses in the body low enough to delay destruction of the immune system as long as possible. The typical drug treatment regimen uses a "cocktail" of several drugs that attack the virus from different angles.

One group of AIDS drugs works by inhibiting an enzyme called "reverse transcriptase," which the HIV virus uses to take over the infected T cell. Two types of reverse transcriptase inhibitors are currently in use; one hits the virus before it binds to the cell's DNA, while the second stops the virus from programming that DNA to produce more viruses.

"Protease inhibitors" are another widely used class of anti-HIV drugs. These block protease, an enzyme that assembles new viruses inside the infected cell. One way to visualize this is to imagine that reverse transriptase inhibitors tear up the blueprint for making new viruses while the protease inhibitors disable the machinery that makes them. The FDA has approved 14 of these drugs for AIDS treatment.

Anti-HIV drug cocktails successfully suppress replication of the virus and reduce the total number of viruses, called the "viral load," often dramatically. But they do not eliminate it entirely; so far, medical science has not discovered a way to completely eradicate the virus. Only this will be the final cure for AIDS.

One drawback in using anti-viral drugs to treat HIV is that the virus often becomes resistant to the drugs. This means that a particular drug "recipe" only works for a period of time. Once the virus achieves drug resistance it begins to multiply in greater numbers, and the gained ground is lost. Another cocktail must then be prescribed. Newer, more powerful combinations are being researched, and that show an even greater ability to subdue the HIV virus and stabilize the immune system.

Patients in the late stages of AIDS are often on complex multiple drug regimens. Along with antiviral therapy, they must be treated for any secondary infections that may be present. The AIDS sufferer may be taking a host of drugs, including anti-virals, antibiotics, antidepressants, pain medications, and others. Nutritional support is necessary, as people with full-blown AIDS can be dangerously prone to malnutrition.


Nutritional Supplementation

Additional information (Precautions) is available by clicking on the underlined supplement.

Multivitamin
Malnutrition in AIDS and HIV-positive people can cause additional health problems and further weaken the immune system. Anywhere from 50 to 90% of AIDS patients are malnourished.(1) Nutritional deficiency in AIDS is serious and often contributes to death by further weakening the immune system and reducing the chances of successful treatment. A well-designed nutritional program is an essential part of the overall treatment plan, both for asymptomatic HIV infected individuals and those with full blown AIDS. A comprehensive high potency multivitamin/mineral supplement is vitally important, as AIDS sufferers are prone to vitamin and mineral deficiency.

Vitamin A
Compared to healthy people, HIV-positive individuals and those with AIDS excrete substantially more vitamin A in the urine. Low vitamin A levels have also been shown to increase mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy.(2)

Vitamin B12
HIV infected people often show low blood levels of vitamin B12. They frequently have problems with digestion and absorption, which can lead to deficiencies of vitamin B12 and other nutrients. In general, vitamin B12 levels tend to decline as the disease progresses. Supplementation may be necessary to prevent conditions that result from severe B12 deficiency such as anemia and neurological symptoms.(3) One study has found a link between B12 deficiency and lowered T4 cell counts in AIDS, suggesting that B12 deficiency may accelerate progression of the disease.(4)

Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid is a crucial nutrient for people with HIV and AIDS, given its importance to the immune system. Vitamin C helps suppress replication of the HIV virus, and it appears to protect the brain from the toxicity that occurs in late stage of AIDS. There is evidence that vitamin C deficiency may contribute to AIDS-related dementia by leaving brain cells vulnerable to damaging byproducts of oxygen metabolism called "free radicals."(5)

Robert Cathcart, M.D. is world famous for his mega-dose vitamin C therapy for AIDS. Cathcart has achieved clinical remission of AIDS symptoms using high doses of ascorbic acid. According to Cathcart, "Preliminary clinical evidence is that massive doses of ascorbate can suppress the symptoms of the disease and can markedly reduce the tendency for secondary infections. In combination with usual treatments for the secondary infections, large doses of ascorbate will often produce a clinical remission which shows every evidence of being prolonged if treatment is continued." Cathcart's patients have taken as much as 50 to 200 grams of vitamin C every 24 hours.(6)

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that may slow down progression of AIDS. One study found that people with HIV and AIDS have lower than normal vitamin E levels. AIDS patients, based on this research, may excrete more vitamin E in their urine as well. Researchers suggest that vitamin E supplementation should be integrated into the existing medical therapy so that patients can maintain proper vitamin E levels.(7)

There are signs that vitamin E helps anti-HIV such as AZT drugs work more effectively. Vitamin E may stimulate immune cells that are normally destroyed by the HIV infection.(8)

Selenium
Selenium is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies among AIDS and HIV-infected individuals. Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays a key role in the body's defenses against free radicals. The immune system requires selenium to function properly. Selenium levels are highly correlated with AIDS-related death. Also, the HIV virus utilizes selenium for some of its metabolic purposes, further draining the body's selenium supply. Selenium supplementation improves immune function and reduces lipid peroxides--free radicals that are particularly damaging to cells.(9) AIDS and HIV-positive patients have shown significant impairments of their selenium-dependent antioxidant defenses.(10)

Zinc
Zinc is one of most important nutrients for immune function. Zinc deficiency weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to infection. Many AIDS patients are zinc deficient. In studies, zinc supplementation stabilizes body weight, raises T4 cell counts, and reduces the frequency of opportunistic infections.(11) AZT and other similar AIDS drugs deplete zinc from the body, so people on these medications are well-advised to take a zinc supplement every day.(12)

Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is sometimes called "vegetarian vitamin A," because the body can convert it into vitamin A as needed. Beta carotene deficiency is common at all stages of HIV/AIDS in both adults(9) and children.(13) In both human and animal studies, vitamin A and beta-carotene have improved T4 cell function and increased T 4 counts.(14)

L-Carnitine
AIDS patients may be deficient in this vitally important amino acid.(15) Studies suggest carnitine supplements might improve immune function.(16)

Coenzyme Q10 (CO-Q10)
This versatile vitamin-like nutrient has many benefits for the immune system. CoQ10 is one of the body's most needed antioxidants. Not surprisingly, AIDS patients have been found short of coenzyme Q10. What's more, the CoQ10 deficiency worsens as the disease becomes more severe. In one small trial, 7 patients with AIDS or ARC were treated with coenzyme Q10. Five of the 7 had good symptomatic improvement with no opportunistic infections over a 4 to 7 month period. The researchers themselves felt these results were quite remarkable, especially since some of the patients were less than religious about taking their CoQ10 supplements.(17)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Some researchers see a connection between AIDS and deficiencies of two essential fatty acids called "EPA" and "DHA." These key nutrients may help battle the HIV virus by breaking down its outer membrane coating.(18)

One test-tube study showing destruction of the virus coat by fatty acids also uncovered evidence that fatty acids support the immune system. AIDS patients have been found seriously deficient in EPA and DHA. Essential fatty acid supplements such as fish oil and flaxseed oil are a good addition to the therapeutic nutrition plan HIV and AIDS.(19)

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHEA is a natural steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA supplements have become popular in recent years as a means of boosting health and vitality. Researchers are now exploring the use of DHEA in AIDS. The use of DHEA for the treatment of AIDS is just beginning to be evaluated. A connection has been found between low DHEA levels in the body and poor immune function.(20)

One study looked at the relationship between DHEA levels and various indicators of HIV progression. The results showed that DHEA levels go down as the HIV viral count goes up.(21)

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
Two amino acids in particular, cystine and cysteine, have been found lacking in the blood of people with AIDS. Both are important immune system nutrients.(22) In one recent study, AIDS sufferers who took supplements of N-acetyl cysteine survived twice as long as those who did not.(23) Cysteine helps the body produce "glutathione," a protein used by the liver to neutralize toxins. Adding high doses of glutathione to AZT seems to create a synergistic effect that improves the therapeutic result.(24)

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Malabsorption and maldigestion are common problems in AIDS.(25) Poor digestive function can burden the immune system, aggravate symptoms, and contribute to weight loss. Probiotic supplements contain "friendly flora," the beneficial bacteria such as acidophilus and bifidus. These good bacteria are essential for everyone, especially individuals with AIDS; they improve digestion, support immunity, and foster healthy elimination.

L-Glutamine
L Glutamine is an amino acid that does a number of things to help the person with AIDS. It heals and strengthens the membrane lining of the intestinal tract, retards the breakdown of muscle tissue, and stimulates immune function.(26, 27, 28)

Vitamin B1
People with AIDS may be deficient in thiamine (vitamin B1). Studies have found brain damage in AIDS sufferers that resembles a type of brain disease caused by thiamine deficiency. Anyone diagnosed with AIDS or AIDS-related complex should take extra vitamin B1.(29)

Sterols (Sitosterol) and Sterolins (Sitosterolin)
There are many chemical constituents (termed phytochemicals) found in plant medicines that have beneficial pharmacological effects in humans. Some bioactive phytochemicals include tannins, resins, polysaccharides, saponins, glycosides, and volatile oils among others. Recent literature has reported that two of these phytochemicals, sterols and sterolins (plant "fats"), occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts and have clinically beneficial effects in human subjects in many conditions.

Sterol is found in all plant-based foods, and sterolin is a glucoside moiety joined to the sterol chemical structure. Both sterols and sterolins were identified as early as 1922. In the natural state, these plant "fats" are bound to the fibers of the plant, making the sterols and sterolins difficult to be absorbed during the normal transit of digested food through our gut. Seeds are the richest source of the sterols and sterolins, but are usually removed during processing by the food industry.

Plant sterols and sterolins have been reported to be effective adjunctive agents in the management and treatment of disease states such as high cholesterol levels, benign prostatic hyperplasia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and stress-induced immune suppression, and HIV among others.(30, 31, 32, 33, 34) Some of the most promising uses of these plant "fats" is in the management of autoimmune disorders such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and myasthenia gravis. Of note is that the sterols should be combined with sterolin in order to be an effective agent for the immune system.(34)

Sterols and sterolins have been reported to modulate the function of T-cells, significantly enhancing the proliferation of the CD-4 TH-1 cells and increasing the production of the interleukin 2 (IL2) and gamma-interferon (FN-g and IFN-y).(34) These results indicate that sterols and sterolins are adaptogenic in that they modulate the immune and stress response.

Care should be taken if an individual is taking immunosuppressive agents. Based on pharmacology, If an individual is taking hypocholesterolemic agents concurrently with plant sterols and sterolins, a dosage adjustment in the pharmaceutical medication may be necessary.


Herbal Supplementation

Additional information (Precautions) is available by clicking on the underlined supplement.

Arabinoxylane
Arabinoxylane is a dietary fiber product made from rice bran that has been enzymatically treated with an extract from three medicinal mushrooms: Shiitake, Kawaratake, and Suehirotake.(35) Arabinoxylane shows great promise not only for general immune support, but also in diseases of the immune system such as cancer and HIV.(36)

Arabinoxylane demonstrates anti-HIV activity in the test tube, inhibiting replication of the virus.(36) In humans, 2 months of arabinoxylane consumption has increased the responsiveness of both T cells and the immune system's antibody-producers, the B cells.

Reishi Mushroom
Called the "mushroom of immortality" in China, reishi has long been used as a tonic and strengthening medicine that increases intellectual capacity and memory, promotes agility, and lengthens life span.(37) Reishi is rich in "polysaccharides," which are complex sugars found in many plants that stimulate the immune system. Reishi is reported to have some of the most active polysaccharides in the plant kingdom. Reishi has antioxidant properties, and it lowers blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, protects the liver against free radicals, and helps the body fight viruses.

Animal research finds that reishi enhances endurance by helping cells use oxygen more efficiently to generate energy.(37) Reishi also neutralizes some of the more potent free radicals in the body.(38)

Along with polysaccharides, reishi contains flavnoid-like compounds called "terpenes." Like most flavonoids, terpenes are free radical neutralizing antioxidants.(39) Test tube research suggests that terpenes in reishi may act like natural protease inhibitors to thwart proliferation of the HIV virus.(40)

Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake is another mushroom long popular in the Orient that may help fight HIV. Shiitake has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Shiitake has a host of immune support properties. Extracts of the mycelia, the fruiting body underneath the mushroom cap, activate T helper cells, increase B cell numbers, boost antibody production, and reinforce a key immune substance called "interleukin-1."(41, 42)

Shiitake contains an ingredient called "lentinan" that shows an ability to treat HIV infection, both in the test tube and animals.(43) Shiitaki extract compares favorably to AZT in anti-viral activity.(44) A substance was recently isolated from the mushroom that acts as a protease inhibitor.(45) Along with its immune-enhancing properties, lentinan shows signs of being an anti-cancer agent.(46, 47)

St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is widely prescribed by European physicians for its effectiveness in treating mild to moderate depression. It has gained popularity among AIDS sufferers and indeed, St. John's wort demonstrates anti-viral and immune supportive properties in some studies.(48, 49) However, large doses must be taken for it to work. One recent study reported no positive results using St. John's wort as an antiretroviral agent.(50) Unfortunately, high doses of St. John's Wort can have side effects. St. Johns' wort should be used only under a physician's supervision by anyone taking "protease inhibitor" HIV medications.(51)

Olive Leaf
Olive trees are widely cultivated throughout Mediterranean countries for its universally popular fruit. But olive trees have more to offer that just the olive and its delicious, healthful oil. The olive leaf has been used as a traditional medicine in health conditions including malaria, infections, cardiovascular diseases, and for improving general well being. Olive leaf contains a key active ingredient called "oleuropein," that may have anti-viral properties, making it a potentially helpful herb in lupus. Oleuropein is also an anti-oxidant, which may give it a role in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Olive leaf extract has been reported to be an effective antimicrobial agent against a wide variety of disease causing bacteria, including Salmonella, Staph aureus, Klebsiella, and E. coli.(52) These organisms are some of the major causes in respiratory and intestinal infections. Research credits oleuropein for olive leaf's anti-microbial properties.(53, 54) Lab studies have found that oleuropein stimulates activity of immune cells called "macrophages" which serve as the body's garbage collectors to remove toxins and destroy foreign organisms.(55)

Nearly forty years ago, researchers began testing a synthetic derivative of oleuropein called calcium elenolate as an anti-viral drug.(56, 57) Though it showed strong anti-viral properties in the test tube, this was never followed up, as calcium elenolate was found to be inactivated by proteins in the blood.

Larch Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactans are a class of complex sugars that may have immune benefits applicable in HIV and AIDS.(58) Derived from the Larch tree, arabinogalactins, also known as "LA," could be helpful for people with recurring immune system problems including colds and influenza, chronic fatigue and viral hepatitis, and HIV infection.

LA is reported to stimulate various components of the immune system such as killer cells, complement protein and interferon, with anti-cancer as well as anti-viral effects.(59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 58)

Milk Thistle
Historically, milk thistle was used as a tonic for the digestive system and the liver.(64) Given the liver's role as the body's detoxifier and blood filter, maintaining liver health is important for people with HIV and AIDS. Milk thistle contains flavonoids known collectively as "silymarin," that protect the liver against toxins and free radicals.(65, 66, 67)

Silymarin blocks the passage of toxins into the liver cells and stimulates regeneration of liver cells. It also protects liver tissue from inflammation and boosts the liver's reserves of glutathione, a key antioxidant protein that helps the liver neutralize toxins.(68, 69) In clinical studies, silymarin has been used to successfully treat liver diseases such as hepatitis and reverse liver damage caused by toxic chemicals.(70, 71)


Diet & Lifestyle

  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Lymphatic massage may be of benefit to help drain toxins from the body.
  • Eat a yeast free diet.
  • Avoid refined sugar.
  • Avoid gluten containing carbohydrates such as wheat, oats, and rye.
  • Select nutrient dense foods such as vegetables fruits, whole grains.

Additional Links Back to Top
Footnotes Back to Top
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4 Baum MK. Micronutrients and HIV-1 disease progression. AIDS. Sep1995;9(9):1051-6.
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5 Everall IP, et al. Decreased absolute levels of ascorbic acid and unaltered vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor binding in the frontal cortex in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Neurosci Lett. Mar1997;224(2):119-22.
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7 Jordao Junior AA, et al. Urinary excretion and plasma vitamin E levels in patients with AIDS. Nutrition. May1998;14(5):423-6.
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12 Baum MK. Zidovudine-associated adverse reactions in a longitudinal study of asymptomatic HIV-1-infected homosexual males. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 1991;4(12):1218-26.
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Treatment Options for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Conventional
Nutritional
Herbal
Diet & Lifestyle

About Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Introduction
Statistics
Signs & Symptoms

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