The human immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as HIV, causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS, a chronic immune system disorder. HIV attacks white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which help to fight infection and protect the body from disease. As such, a person with HIV or AIDS is more susceptible to infectious diseases and cancer. Although HIV is incurable, there are a number of medicines that help to prolong life and alleviate symptoms. Some minerals, including selenium, may play a role in the treatment of HIV, but they should not be used in place of your HIV medicines. Talk to your doctor before taking selenium.
Properties
Selenium is a trace mineral. The body needs small amounts to perform a number of biological processes. For example, it helps to regulate thyroid function. It also protects the body from damage by free-radicals, molecules produced when the body converts food into energy, that may contribute to the development of a number of conditions, including heart disease. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that selenium may also help to reduce the viral load in patients infected with HIV.
Sources and Administration
A range of foods contain selenium, including meats and seafood, although the Office of Dietary Supplements notes that plant foods, especially Brazil nuts, are the best source of this mineral. Selenium is also available as a dietary supplement. Men and women over 19 years of age require 50 mcg of selenium daily, but you may need to take more to support HIV treatment. Ask your health-care provider how much selenium you should take.
Effectiveness
The results of a clinical study of 949 HIV-1-infected Tanzanian women, published in the October 2004 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition," show that selenium may be associated with reduced mortality and may slow disease progression. However, an article by C.L. Pitney et al., published in "The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care" in July 2009 notes that evidence to support selenium supplementation in patients with HIV is insufficient. The authors add that the role of selenium in the treatment of HIV needs to be evaluated in large randomized, controlled trials.
Considerations
The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that selenium toxicity is rare in the United States, but adds that taking too much selenium may cause selenosis, a condition characterized by gastrointestinal upset, nerve damage, irritability, hair loss and fatigue. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that selenium may also reduce the absorption of vitamin C.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: HIV and AIDS
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Selenium
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Selenium
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Selenium Status is Associated With Accelerated HIV Disease Progression Among HIV-1-Infected Pregnant Women in Tanzania; R. Kupta et al.; October 2004
- The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care";Selenium Supplementation in HIV-Infected Patients: Is There Any Potential Clinical Benefit?; C.L. Pitney et al.; July 2009
