HIV Nutrition & Supplements
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To be certain you get all necessary nutrients, take a high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement daily. Choose a capsule or liquid formula. These are easier to absorb and assimilate than hard, dry pills.
Black currant seed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed oil provide essential fatty acids (EFAs), which help to regulate endocrine function and also have anti-inflammatory properties. Choose one of these oils and take 500 to 1,000 milligrams twice daily. If diarrhea is a problem, discontinue until the diarrhea improves.
Bromelain is a natural anti-inflammatory and is very useful for respiratory complaints such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Take 400 milligrams three times daily, between meals. Goldenseal is also helpful.
Carnitine supplementation can greatly improve the utilization of fat and the conversion of fats into energy, a process that is often compromised in people with HIV. L-carnitine is also useful in preventing toxic overload from such drugs as AZT and, in one study, HIV patients who took 6,000 milligrams (6 grams) of L-carnitine daily were shown to have improved immune function. You may wish to discuss this supplement with a nutritionally oriented physician.
All of the carotenes have antioxidants properties that prevent free-radical damage. Take 75,000 to 100,000 international units of a carotene-complex formula daily.
To insure full assimilation and utilization of all nutrients, take a full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement providing 5,000 international units of lipase, 2,500 international units of amylase, and 300 international units of protease, plus 500 to 1,000 milligrams of pancreatin, with each meal.
Note: Long-term supplementation with pancreatin is not advised, as it can cause your pancreas to reduce its own production of this important enzyme. Overuse also has the potential to cause nausea or diarrhea. After two months on pancreatin, discontinue use and monitor your reaction. If you find that your problems recur, discuss pancreatin supplementation with your health-care provider.
If mouth sores are a problem, chew on folic-acid tablets. Take 400 micrograms of folic acid up to three times daily this way.
Take a green-foods or sea-greens supplement such as Green Magma or spirulina as directed on the product label. Green supplements are rich in natural trace minerals.
Lipoic acid fights herpes viruses, helps the liver function more efficiently, and is useful against chronic fatigue. Take 100 milligrams three times daily.
To control the proliferation of candida (yeast), take a quality probiotic supplement. Follow the directions on the product label. Most people with HIV take many powerful drugs that wipe out the essential bacteria that keep candida under control in a healthy body. Probiotics are also useful for combating diarrhea. If you are allergic to milk, be sure to select a dairy-free formula.
To support immune function, consider taking adrenal, spleen, and/or thymus glandular extracts. Take one dose, as directed on the product label, twice daily.
Take a trace-mineral combination formula that provides 5 milligrams of manganese, 200 micrograms of chromium, and 5 milligrams of vanadium daily. These elements are seldom-included in common multimineral formulas.
Studies suggest that HIV-positive people with sufficient blood levels of vitamin B12 may remain symptom-free for about twice as long, on average, as those who are deficient in that vitamin. Cobalamin is an active component of vitamin B12. Take 500 micrograms of cyanocobalamin or methocobalamin twice a day, or ask your physician about injections. If you take any of the B vitamins individually, you should also take a B-complex supplement at a different time of day.
Vitamin C is an infection-fighting, anti-inflammatory antioxidant vitamin that supports the immune system and also fights free radicals. Take 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams (3 to 10 grams) of vitamin C daily.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also plays as essential role in cellular respiration. Choose a product containing mixed tocopherols and start by taking 200 international units daily, then gradually increase the dosage until you are taking 400 international units in the morning and again in the evening.
Note: if you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 international units daily. If you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.
Zinc boosts immune function. Take 15 milligrams three times daily, at the beginning of a metal. To maintain a proper mineral balance in the body, you should also take 1 to 2 milligrams of copper each day.
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