If you have HIV, it is important that you supply your body with a higher than normal amount of nutrients in order to support your immune-system. Many HIV sufferers have trouble absorbing nutrients form their food. Therefore supplements may help them to meet their nutritional needs. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
Take a High Potency Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement
According to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, you should take a high potency multivitamin and mineral supplement daily to make sure that you are getting the basic nutrients required for good health. Phyllis Balch says in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that your body may have trouble breaking down and absorbing pills and recommends taking a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement to maximize absorption. Balch also recommends taking 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily because D3 is essential for optimal immunity.
Reduce Oxidative Damage with Antioxidants
The HIV infection increases oxidative stress on your body and this can result in profound oxidative damage at a cellular level, says CSNN. Antioxidants help to counter this oxidative stress by scavenging the free radicals that cause this oxidative damage. CSNN and Balch recommend that you take a mixed antioxidant supplement that contains some or all of the following nutrients -- vitamin A, vitamin E selenium, glutathione, SOD, grapeseed extract, natural carotenoid and alpha-lipoic acid. The alpha-lipoic acid is of particular importance because it appears to slow the progression of the HIV virus.
Vitamin C and CoQ10
According to CSNN, you should also be taking up to 6 g a day of vitamin C, because it is an important antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 is another powerful antioxidant and Balch recommends taking 100 to 200 mg daily in order to increase your energy and support your immune system.
An Abundance of Amino Acids
An adequate intake of protein is also very important because many of the amino acids found in protein act as antioxidants, aid in healing, help to support white and red blood cell integrity, and are required for proper functioning of the immune system, says Balch. Take a protein or free-form amino acid supplement. Choose one that contains the eight essential amino acids as well as the non-essential amino acids l-arginine, l-ornithine, l-cysteine, l-histidine, glutamic acid and glycine.
Take NAC
In addition to a protein supplement, you may want to take 1,800 to 5,400 mg daily of N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC, which is a combination of amino acids. CSNN says that NAC is thought to block HIV replication and increase the production of T-lymphoctye cells, which are essential for the immune system.
An Essential Oil and Helpful Herb
CSNN recommends that your take a fish oil supplement daily. Choose one that contains 1 to 2 g of combined EPA and DHA, which are omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Finally, St.Johns Wort is a herbal supplements that contains two substances, hypericin and pseudohypericin, that have been found to inhibit retroviral infections and could therefore also be useful in the treatment of HIV, says Balch.
References
- "The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition"; Pathology and Nutrition; 2008
- : "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Third Edition"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
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