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PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
This virus is not as contagious as many people believe because it cannot survive for long outside the body. HIV is spread through semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. Therefore, persons at the greatest risk for this disease are those having sex without condoms, infants born of infected mothers, intravenous drug users sharing needles, and persons who have received blood transfusion between 1977-1985.
After initial exposure to HIV, symptoms similar to mononucleosis are common. These symptoms often disappear for years, as the immune system gradually weakens. AIDS usually appears five to ten years after HIV infection. The antibodies that the body makes to combat this virus can be detected a few weeks after infection through blood tests. However, there may not be enough antibodies for a positive readying until 35 months after infection. For this reason, it is advised for persons in high risk groups to be tested for HIV every six months. If the test does read positive, it is important to seek the help and treatment of a professional. It is, of course, also very important to inform any sexual partners who may be at risk so they too can be tested and receive proper medical attention.
Through the first diagnosis of this disease appeared
less than two decades ago, AIDS has swiftly reached epidemic
proportions. AIDS patients succumb to different diseases
depending on where they are in the world. For instance, in the U.S. and
Europe, AIDS often results in a skin cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, candidiasis, and the herpes virus. In Africa AIDS is accompanied by symptoms of tropical disease such as diarrhea, wasting, fever, and cough. In general, early symptoms of the disease include chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, prolonged fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, skin lesions that don’t
heal, and persistent colds, diarrhea, and sore throats.
At the present time there is no known cure for AIDS. The disease is partially treated with antibiotics and antiviral drugs. The most common of these is zidovudine, commonly known as AZT. This antiviral works by slowing the activity of the HIV virus. However, patients often show a resistance to the drug after a few years of treatment. AZT is also accompanied by unpleasant side effects. The United States Federal Drug Administration has just recently approved five new drugs for use in combination therapy for AIDS. However, at this time these drugs are very expensive and inaccessible to many patients. Current research also suggested the possibility of a gene which may protect against the HIV virus. Persons with this gene exhibit a resistance to the virus, and are therefore less susceptible to the onset of AIDS.
Nutritional deficiencies are common among AIDS patients. It is speculated that poor nutrition status and a weakened immune system may contribute to AIDS. While research indicates the immune system can be strengthened by increasing nutrient intake, there is also a concern about proper nutrient dosage. For instance, very high levels of selenium might inhibit immune defenses, while optimal levels of the trace element can protect against AIDS related cardiomyopathy. (1) Megadoses of iron and zinc (defined as over twenty times the RDA) have been found to increase risks for infection. However, deficiencies in these minerals have the same effect. Low and high levels of Vitamin A have been shown to facilitate the progression to AIDS. (2) A daily intake of 9,000-20,000 IU of Vitamin A has been shown to slow down the rate of this progression. (3) Trace element deficiencies have been indicated in the early stages of HIV infection, even in the absence of symptoms. Other common deficiencies in this population include the carotenes, choline, zinc, and vitamins A, B-6, and E. Patients with AIDS are also found to be low in the minerals magnesium, iron, and selenium. Low levels of Vitamin B-12 may be responsible for cognitive changes in the disease.
It is important for the patients to be aware of their individual optimal nutrient intake. A high quality diet and life-style is of great importance to persons with the disease. Recommendations are listed later on in this report. The ninth international conference on AIDS stressed the importance of the antioxidant nutrients in the treatment and management of the disease. A suppressed immune system leaves AIDS patients particularly vulnerable to free radical damage, making the antioxidant an invaluable part of the treatment.
These patients should avoid any substance that suppress immunity such as simple sugars, alcohol, caffeine, and smoking. It is recommended to develop a diet which is rich in whole foods. It is beneficial to eat foods high in carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. Dietary fat should be limited to monosaturated types, avoiding polyunsaturated and saturated fats and oils. For increased nutritional absorption, it is important to eat smaller portions throughout the day with an appropriate balance of carbohydrates (65%), protein (15%), and fat (20%). Eating right for your blood type may also have its benefits. It is important to eat a wide variety of foods and ensure the cleanliness of fruits and vegetables (free of parasites and bacteria).
Patients are advised to get plenty of fiber and maintain
the RDA nutritional requirements. Mild to moderate exercise
and stress management should also be incorporated into
one’s life-style.
The following listed products below have been used in many cases of depressed immune symptoms with very promising results. Any number of products can be used simultaneously.
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