HIV/AIDS Support Protocol

As HIV/AIDS suppresses the immune system, the prevalence of “wasting syndrome”, an extreme amount of weight loss, is most common and leads to a malnourished state. With this syndrome, many develop bacterial infections, extreme nausea, mouth sores and food aversion. It is of utmost importance for those infected to start naturopathic nutritional, herbal and supplemental protocols before this point. This will aid in vitamin and mineral absorption as well as help to boost the immune system to fight infection. Even if the patient is already experiencing these symptoms, a nutritional protocol is in order.

Vitamin and mineral absorption is key and the following table lists these essential elements needed for HIV/AIDS patients:

Vitamin A (15,000-30,000 IU taken with food): slows progression to AIDS, decreases mortality, decreases stunting associated with chronic diarrhea and prevents GI deterioration in mothers and infants.

Copper (2 mg): can inhibit HIV protease and viral replication

Beta-carotene (60-120mg/15,000 IU taken with food): replenishment increases CD4+ count, CD4/CD8 ratios, total lymphocyte count and decreased mortality

Magnesium (300 mg): deficiency is commonly found in AIDS patients

Folate (400mcg): normalizes cell differentiation; deficiency is most likely due to malabsorption

Selenium (400 mcg): to suppress the progression of HIV-1, viral burden and provide indirect improvement of CD4 count

Vitamin B1 (50 mg): replenishment is associated with increased survival in HIV+ patients and decreased progression to AIDS

Zinc (15 mg): has been found to decrease frequency of OIs; deficiency is noted in all HIV+ patients progressing to AIDS

Vitamin B6 (50 mg): is essential in nucleic acid and protein metabolism and cellular and hormonal responses

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (2-6 g): essential for proper energy supply as well as critical metabolic functions. Reduction in serum triglycerides, decreased risk of wasting, increase in CD4 cells, reduced apoptosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy

Vitamin B12 (1,000 mcg best taken via intramuscular injection 3 times a week): is important in several parameters of immune function, proper cell differentiation and nerve function, and in decreasing homocysteine levels. Repletion can improve lymphocyte counts, CD4/CD8 ratios, and NK cell activity. Supplementation has also been found to reverse AIDS dementia complex when associated with low levels

DHEA (15-50 mg taken with food): repletion helps to increase CD4 count, stimulate immune function and improve quality of life

Vitamin D (5,000 IU): undetectable levels correlated with more advanced HIV infection, lower CD4 count and higher levels of TNF-alphaTestosterone (intramuscular weekly injections): is indicated if serum levels are low in order to decrease loss of lean body and muscle mass

Vitamin E (800 IU daily taken with food): indicated to decrease lipid peroxidation, protects against AZT-induced oxidative damage to cardiac mitochondria, normalizes immune function and slows progression to AIDS

Glutathione/GSH (increased through selenium and N-acetyl-cysteine or whey powder): has been found to decrease disease progress and mortality