An HIV or AIDS diagnosis can be devastating and patients often turn to alternative medicines in an attempt to treat the disease. The conflicting results of clinical trials on the use of DHEA for HIV can leave patients confused as to whether this would be a worthwhile addition to a regular treatment plan. While DHEA doesn't appear to be helpful with regard to the primary symptoms of an HIV infection, it might be useful for addressing quality-of-life issues in AIDS patients.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the sexually transmitted disease that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system and slowly progresses into full-blown AIDS over the course of years. Individuals infected with HIV become increasingly unable to fight off diseases and cancers that develop in their bodies. HIV and AIDS cannot be cured, but treatments exist to slow disease progression and halt or prevent many of the complications that stem from the condition.
DHEA
The adrenal gland creates and releases the hormone DHEA in the body to serve as a precursor molecule to build the sex hormones estrogen and androgen. DHEA can also be synthetically created from wild yam and soy, but simply eating these foods does not provide any DHEA. In people with AIDS, DHEA levels are lower than normal, indicating that there may be a link between DHEA levels and progression of the disease.
DHEA for HIV
The use of DHEA in HIV or AIDS therapy remains controversial because the few studies that have been done on DHEA and HIV have obtained conflicting results. Some early research indicated that DHEA might act against the HIV virus itself, but more recent research, such as a 2007 study reported in the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, have found no link between DHEA and HIV suppression. However, DHEA can still be used to relieve fatigue and depression associated with HIV and AIDS and improve the quality of life for these patients.
Usage
Talk to your doctor before using DHEA to determine the correct dosage and frequency and to discuss whether DHEA use will affect any of the other medications you are taking for these conditions, or others. DHEA can cause side effects, including hair loss, acne, hypertension and upset stomach. Women taking DHEA might develop facial hair or a lower voice and might experience changes in menstruation. Taking larger doses for longer periods of time increases the likelihood of side effects.
