AIDS - Food/Herb Treatments

Introduction

This section describes the various Foods and Herbs that exert beneficial effects against HIV/AIDS.

Algae

       Most (but not all) forms of Red Algae may inhibit Viral Reverse Transcriptase (due to Glycosaminoglycans such as Carrageenans present in Red Algae) - Red Algae may therefore be a potential means of inhibiting the replication of the HIV virus that causes AIDS:  

  Dumontiaceae may inhibit Viral Reverse Transcriptase (due to its Carrageenans content) and may thereby be a valuable agent for the treatment of AIDS.  

       Spirulina may inhibit the HIV-1 virus that causes AIDS - due to lipids such as glycolipids and sulfolipids and Calcium Spirulan (Ca-SP) present in Spirulina (according to in vitro studies but not yet proven in human studies).  ^[1]

Animal-Derived Supplements

       Spleen Extract may enhance the Immune System of AIDS patients (primarily due to the Splenopentin and Tuftsin content of Spleen Extract).  

       Thymus Extract may help to correct defects in T-Lymphocytes in persons infected with HIV:  ^[2]

 Thymus Extract may increase Helper T-Cells production and lowers elevated Suppressor T-Cells levels in AIDS patients.

Bee Products

       Propolis may inhibit the replication of the HIV-1 virus that causes AIDS.  ^[3]

Dairy Products

       Colostrum - Bovine (Bovine Colostrum) may prevent and treat Diarrhea, increase body weight, decrease Fatigue and increase Helper T-Cell count in  in AIDS patients.  ^[4]

Fruit

       Mangosteen may be useful for the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (by inhibiting the HIV Protease enzyme).  ^[5]

Fungi

   Maitake Mushrooms may stimulate the Immune Systems of AIDS patients (due to the high Beta 1,6 Glucans content of Maitake):  ^[6]

 Maitake Mushrooms may improve many of the Immune System functions that deteriorate in tandem with the onset of AIDS and may also inhibit the HIV Virus from killing Helper T-Cells by up to 97% in 50% of AIDS patients.

   Saccharomyces boulardii (SB [a live yeast packaged in capsules]) may alleviate the Diarrhea that commonly afflicts AIDS patients:  ^[7]

 In one study, 3,000 mg of SB was administered to AIDS patients with Diarrhea of no known cause.  Within two days the volume of their Diarrhea was reduced to 1 liter and after eight days their stools were normally formed.

   Shiitake Mushroommay stimulate the Immune System of AIDS patients (due to the Lentinan content of Shiitake) and may exert anti-viral effects against the HIV virus.  ^[8]

Grasses

       Barley Grass may inhibit the replication of the HIV virus implicated in AIDS.  

Herbs

   Aloe vera (juice consumed orally) may inhibit the HIV Virus that is implicated in AIDS (due to the Acemannan content of Aloe vera inhibiting the glycosylation of Glycoproteins present in the HIV virus).  ^[9]

       Ginseng - American may be a useful treatment for AIDS (the Quinqueginsin content of American Ginseng inhibits HIV-1 Viral Reverse Transcriptase).  ^[10]