The final component of a healthy nutrient and supplement approach to
HIV/AIDS is to correct the hormonal imbalances caused by the disease.
Before beginning supplementation with hormones, the Vitamin Depot Online.com
Foundation recommends testing the blood to determine the levels of
major steroid hormones, including pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone,
estrogen, and progesterone. A comprehensive hormone restoration program
seeks to return hormone levels to those of a healthy person in his or
her middle 20s. A number of hormone deficiencies have been associated
with HIV/AIDS.
Low serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Low DHEA levels are associated with high HIV load and tend to
indicate a negative disease course (Ferrando SJ et al 1999). DHEA
declines in patients as they progress from the latency phase of HIV
infection to AIDS (Jacobson MA et al 1991; Mulder JW et al 1992). These
declines in DHEA have been associated with the development of
opportunistic infections. DHEA also helps maintain healthy functioning
of the immune system while HAART reduces viral load (Clerici M et al
2000).
Cortisol
Cortisol is a major hormone produced by the adrenal glands. At
normal levels, cortisol assists in the metabolism of glucose, protein,
and fats. It also has a strong impact on the immune system. At
consistently high levels due to illness or stress, however, cortisol
suppresses immune response and accelerates aging. In general, rising
levels of cortisol are associated with physical and mental stress.
Similarly, cortisol levels are increased in people infected with HIV,
and cortisol has been shown to cause T-cell death (Clerici M et al
2000).
With progression of HIV, cortisol rises and DHEA decreases
(Christeff N et al 2000). Therefore, it is in the patient’s best
interest to restore a more normal, healthy cortisol/DHEA ratio. This
could be done by increasing DHEA (see above).
Growth hormone
Supplemental growth hormone is an approved treatment for the
HIV-associated wasting syndrome. A 2-week course of growth hormone at
the time of acute opportunistic infection is also beneficial (Paton NI
et al 1999). The dose of growth hormone in HIV infection therapy is
much higher than the dose used for replacement therapy in the healthy
aging adult.
Many insurance companies will underwrite the cost of growth hormone therapy if it is used in conjunction with HAART.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It exerts a
regulatory effect over many body systems. Evidence suggests HIV immune
suppression may be slowed by nightly intake of melatonin. Melatonin
enhances the production of T-cells and other components of the immune
system. In addition to enhancing the immune system, melatonin is a
formidable antioxidant and can prevent immune system cell loss (Lissoni
P et al 1989; Maestroni GJ 1993, 1999).
Testosterone
In both men and women, testosterone declines with HIV progression.
Because a low testosterone level is very common in men with HIV, it may
also contribute to wasting syndrome. Because treatment with HAART does
not reverse the testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement is
required (Rietschel P et al 2000). Testosterone therapy helps
depression and improves decreased energy and libido (Rabkin JG et al
2000). It also decreases opportunistic infections and dementia and
improves quality of life (Kopicko JJ et al 1999).
Thymosin alpha-1
Thymosin alpha-1 has been extensively studied for its effects on
immune response. Thymosin alpha-1 is found in highest concentrations in
the thymus, but has also been detected in the spleen, lungs, kidneys,
brain, blood, and a number of other tissues. In more than 70 studies,
thymosin alpha-1 showed immune-enhancing benefits (Sjogren MH 2004). It
may work best in combination with other immunomodulators
(Roch-Arveiller M et al 1991; Serrate SA et al 1987; Svedersky LP et al
1982).
The benefits of thymosin alpha-1 are due mostly to its ability to
enhance T-cell function. Studies have shown the following benefits:
Increased activity from natural killer (NK) immune cells
(Favalli C et al 1989; Roch-Arveiller M et al 1991; Serrate SA et al
1987).
Enhanced production of T-cells in patients with chronic
hepatitis B (Mutchnick MG et al 1991) and cancer (Salvati F et al
1996).
Decreased replication of HIV-1 in human blood cells (Moody TW et al 1993).
Thymosin alpha-1 is currently being considered for phase 3
clinical trials in the treatment of hepatitis. It is not yet approved
in the United States, but has been approved for various uses in more
than 30 countries.
Living With HIV/AIDS
Twenty years ago, a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was a death sentence. Yet,
with current drug regimens, patients with HIV/AIDS can now hope to live
longer, more productive and more comfortable lives than patients who
had HIV/AIDS in the past. By drawing on the best of both conventional
and complementary medicine, patients with HIV/AIDS can design a
holistic therapy that can help suppress HIV while supplying the body
with a robust nutritional intake to support immune system function and
general health.
Because patients with HIV/AIDS often have malabsorption problems,
particularly in the later stages of the disease, it is a good idea to
add a comprehensive digestive enzyme formula to the program to
encourage the most efficient digestive activity.
After a physician has diagnosed HIV/AIDS, it is important to
carefully monitor therapy by testing T-cell and viral loads and by
having complete blood tests that measure antioxidants and other
nutrient levels. Regular blood testing will also help you and your
physician decide when is the best time to begin HAART (Fauci AS et al
2004).
Vitamin Depot Online.com Foundation Recommendations
Dietary supplementation in HIV/AIDS is an important part of the overall strategy.
With any program of dietary supplementation in patients with
HIV/AIDS, it is important that no supplement or nutrient is added to
the diet without the approval of the patient’s physician. Fortunately,
more physicians are beginning to understand the value of robust
nutritional supplementation for patients with HIV/AIDS. The Life
Extension Foundation suggests:
An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be
launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of
the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects.
These include:
Beta-Carotene
Do not take beta-carotene if you smoke. Daily intake of 20
milligrams or more has been associated with a higher incidence of lung
cancer in smokers.
Taking 30 milligrams or more daily for prolonged periods can
cause carotenoderma, a yellowish skin discoloration (carotenoderma can
be distinguished from jaundice because the whites of the eyes are not
discolored in carotenoderma).
Coenzyme Q10
See your doctor and monitor your blood glucose level frequently if
you take CoQ10 and have diabetes. Several clinical reports suggest that
taking CoQ10 may improve glycemic control and the function of beta
cells in people who have type 2 diabetes.
Statin drugs (such as lovastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin) are known to decrease CoQ10 levels.
DHEA
Do not take DHEA if you could be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or could have prostate, breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
DHEA can cause androgenic effects in woman such as acne, deepening of the voice, facial hair growth and hair loss.
Green Tea
Consult your doctor before taking green tea extract if you take
aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Taking green tea extract and aspirin or
warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding.
Discontinue using green tea extract 2 weeks before any surgical procedure. Green tea extract may decrease platelet aggregation.
Green tea extract contains caffeine, which may produce a
variety of symptoms including restlessness, nausea, headache, muscle
tension, sleep disturbances, and rapid heartbeat.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
L-Glutamine
Consult your doctor before taking L-glutamine if you have kidney failure or liver failure.
L-glutamine can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Licorice
Do not take licorice extract if you have diabetes, high blood
pressure, heart irregularities, abnormal muscle tension, poor kidney
function, low blood potassium levels, or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis
of the liver, or any disease that impedes the flow of bile from the
liver.
Do not take licorice for more than 6 weeks in a row. High
doses of licorice (more than 20 grams of licorice extract daily or 50
grams of licorice root daily) taken for extended periods may lead to
excessive loss of sodium from the blood, water retention, high blood
pressure, heart irregularities, fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps.
Lipoic Acid
Consult your doctor before taking lipoic acid if you have diabetes
and glucose intolerance. Monitor your blood glucose level frequently.
Lipoic acid may lower blood glucose levels
Melatonin
Do not take melatonin if you are depressed.
Do not take high doses of melatonin if you are trying to
conceive. High doses of melatonin have been shown to inhibit ovulation.
Melatonin can cause morning grogginess, a feeling of having a
hangover or a “heavy head,” or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea
and diarrhea.
NAC
NAC clearance is reduced in people who have chronic liver disease.
Do not take NAC if you have a history of kidney stones (particularly cystine stones).
NAC can produce a false-positive result in the nitroprusside test for ketone bodies used to detect diabetes.
Consult your doctor before taking NAC if you have a history of
peptic ulcer disease. Mucolytic agents may disrupt the gastric mucosal
barrier.
NAC can cause headache (especially when used along with nitrates) and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Phytosterols
Phytosterols can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
SAMe
Consult your doctor before taking SAMe if you have bipolar
disorder. See your doctor frequently if you take SAMe and you have
bipolar disorder.
Consult your doctor before taking SAMe if you take
antidepressants. See your doctor frequently if you take SAMe in place
of or in addition to antidepressants.
Consult your doctor before taking SAMe if you have cancer.
Nucleic acid methylation patterns may change in people who have cancer
and take SAMe.
Do not take SAMe if you are undergoing gene therapy.
SAMe can cause anxiety, hyperactive muscle movement, insomnia,
hypomania, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Selenium
High doses of selenium (1000 micrograms or more daily) for prolonged periods may cause adverse reactions.
High doses of selenium taken for prolonged periods may cause
chronic selenium poisoning. Symptoms include loss of hair and nails or
brittle hair and nails.
Selenium can cause rash, breath that smells like garlic, fatigue, irritability, and nausea and vomiting.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Do not take cyanocobalamin if you have Leber's optic atrophy.
Vitamin C
Do not take vitamin C if you have a history of kidney stones or of
kidney insufficiency (defined as having a serum creatine level greater
than 2 milligrams per deciliter and/or a creatinine clearance less than
30 milliliters per minute.
Consult your doctor before taking large amounts of vitamin C
if you have hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, sickle
cell anemia, or erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency. You can experience iron overload if you have one of these
conditions and use large amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin E
Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you take warfarin (Coumadin).
Consult your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin E if you have a vitamin K deficiency or a history of liver failure.
Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you have a
history of any bleeding disorder such as peptic ulcers, hemorrhagic
stroke, or hemophilia.
Discontinue using vitamin E 1 month before any surgical procedure.
Zinc
High doses of zinc (above 30 milligrams daily) can cause adverse reactions.
Zinc can cause a metallic taste, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
High doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency and hypochromic microcytic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper deficiency.
High doses of zinc may suppress the immune system.
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