AIDS - Treatments

Introduction

This section outlines Nutrients and other substances that exert benefical effects against HIV/AIDS.

Amino Acids

 Arginine may improve immunity (especially NK Lymphocytes function) in AIDS patients and may help to prevent Cachexia in AIDS patients.  ^[1]

 AIDS patients often exhibit Carnitine deficiency (and up to 6,000 mg of supplemental Carnitine per day has been recommended for persons infected with HIV):  ^[2]

 Supplemental Carnitine may counteract the toxic side effects of Zidovudine (AZT) therapy in AIDS patients.

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may help to prevent reductions in White Blood Cell counts in AIDS patients.  ^[3]

 Creatine Monohydrate ((10,000 - 15,000 mg per day) may counteract the Cachexia associated with AIDS - Creatine Monohydrate may increase Muscle mass and Muscle Strength in AIDS patients.  ^[4]

 Persons infected with the HIV Virus often exhibit significantly depressed Cysteine levels:  ^[5]

 The N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) form of Cysteine has been suggested as a viable alternative to Pharmaceutical Protease Inhibitors for the treatment of AIDS as NAC may be an effective Protease Inhibitor:  ^[6]

 NAC may protect the body’s endogenous Protease Inhibitor Protein (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin) by preventing the oxidation of Methionine residues within this Protein.

 The recommended dosage of NAC for HIV-positive people is 600 mg taken three times per day (= 1,800 mg of NAC per day).

 AIDS patients often exhibit low Cystine levels (the best means of restoring low Cystine levels is by the use of Cysteine or N-Acetyl-Cysteine supplements).  ^[7]

 Many AIDS patients are found to be deficient in Glutamine.  Glutamine may help to counteract the Diarrhoea and Cachexia experienced by AIDS patients.  ^[8]

 AIDS patients are often found to have low levels of Methionine and supplemental Methionine (6,000 mg per day) may improve Memory in AIDS patients with Dementia.  ^[9]

 AIDS patients often have low endogenous Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) levels of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and for this reason supplemental SAMe is under investigation as a potential treatment for AIDS.  ^[10]

 AIDS patients are often found to have low levels of Tryptophan.  Tryptophan supplementation may inhibit the development of full-blown AIDS in persons infected with the HIV virus.  ^[11]

Carbohydrates

 Acemannan (1,000 mg per day) may inhibit the HIV virus that is implicated in AIDS.  ^[12]

 The chemical structure of Astragalan B (a constituent of Astragalus) suggests that it may destabilize the membrane of the HIV virus (by binding to Cholesterol). 

 Beta 1,3 Glucan may be useful for the treatment of AIDS.  ^[13]

 Beta 1,6 Glucan (a constituent of the Maitake Mushroom) may stimulate the Immune System of AIDS patients: 

 Beta 1,6 Glucan may activate Macrophages and NK Lymphocytes in HIV/AIDS patients. 

 Beta 1,6 Glucan may stimulate the production of Interleukin-1 and Interleukin-2 in HIV/AIDS patients. 

 Beta 1,6 Glucan may prevent the HIV Virus from killing Helper T-Lymphocytes. 

 Carrageenans Lambda may inhibit the HIV virus that causes AIDS. 

 Dextran Sulfate may inhibit the progression of the HIV virus that is implicated in AIDS.  ^[14]

 Fucoidan may inhibit the HIV virus that causes AIDS.  ^[15]

 Heparin may inhibit the HIV virus that causes AIDS:  ^[16]

 One human study using the Low-Molecular-Weight (LMW) form of Heparin caused an increase in Helper T-Cells and inhibited the replication of HIV - the study which indicated that LMW Heparin is a safe treatment for inhibiting the replication of HIV.

 Heparin may inhibit Viral Reverse Transcriptase (an important component of the HIV virus).

 Lentinan (a constituent of Shiitake Mushroom) may stimulate the Immune Systems of AIDS patients (especially by boosting the production of Interleukin-1 and Interferons):  ^[17]

 Despite its effectiveness, Lentinan is poorly absorbed by the body when consumed orally and must be injected in order to provide any therapeutic value.

 MGN-3 may be useful for the treatment of AIDS.  ^[18]

Carotenoids

 Beta-Carotene (30 - 180 mg per day) may improve the immune function of AIDS patients.  ^[19]

 People infected with HIV often exhibit lowered Lycopene levels (indicating that supplemental Lycopene may be of benefit to HIV-positive persons).  ^[20]

Complementary Therapies

 Ozone (employed as an agent of Oxygen Therapy) may be capable of killing the HIV virus associated with AIDS.  ^[21]

Enzymes

 AIDS patients often exhibit lowered Glutathione Peroxidase levels.  The HIV Virus depletes the body’s Glutathione Peroxidase levels by depleting the nutrients that are precursors for Glutathione Peroxidase.  Glutathione Peroxidase may inhibit HIV-1 Viral Reverse Transcriptase.  ^[22]

 Proteolytic Enzymes - Dietary are presently under investigation for inhibiting the HIV virus that causes AIDS. 

 Superoxide Dismutase (SOD - LIPSOD form injected intravenously) is presently under investigation as a treatment for AIDS and may prevent the onset of fully-blown AIDS symptoms. 

Free Radicals

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals (although normally extremely toxic to the body) may be harnessed by Hypericin and utilized to destroy the HIV Virus). 

Hormones

 Cortisol (applied topically) may stimulate the production of Helper T-Cells in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients.  ^[23]

 Many AIDS patients use supplemental DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) as DHEA may inhibit the replication of the HIV Virus that causes AIDS and may inhibit the progression of HIV infection to full-blown AIDS.  ^[24]

 Exogenous Human Growth Hormone (hGH) has been approved as an adjunct to the treatment of AIDS in some countries:  ^[25]

 In addition to stimulating the Immune System of AIDS patients, hGH may improve their ^[26] (increases in Lean Body Mass have been shown to prolong patient survival time in AIDS patients).

 Administration of exogenous hGH may help to prevent and treat Cachexia (Muscle wasting) in AIDS patients.