AIDS is a disease caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and
characterized by a severely compromised immune system, leading to various medical complications. The disease is transmitted by transfusion of blood and blood products, sexual intercourse with an HIV positive person, and from mother to fetus (maternal-fetal transmission). HIV infection can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, during delivery and even by breast feeding.
Occupational transmission of HIV is possible among health care workers if their non-intact skins come in contact with HIV positive blood, tissues and other fluids (for example, a needle stick and cut with a sharp object). AIDS is common among drug abusers through sharing needles.
HIV infection may not produce any symptoms at the early stages. However, it may have a wide variety of signs and symptoms as follows:
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Pharyngitis.
- Anorexia and weight loss.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Skin eruptions.
- Pain in muscles and joints.
- Opportunistic viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
- Neurologic disorders.
- Cancer of various organs.
Nutritional Supports:
Restricted Foods:
- Sugars and sweets. They weaken the immune system.
- Saturated fats.
- Trans-fats.
- Fried foods.
- Processed foods.
- Alcohol.
- Uncooked sea foods, eggs, and meats.
- Unpasteurized dairy products.
- Food colorings, additives, and preservatives.
Recommended Foods:
- Drink plenty of water: at least 2 liters a day.
- Whole grains.
- Foods high in fiber: lentils and beans.
- Foods high in Omega-3: fish, flaxseed, hemp seed, chia seed, and walnuts.
- Green leafy vegetables.
- Enough protein: fish, chicken, turkey, egg whites and beef. At least 1- 1.5 grams of protein for every kilogram of the body weight.
- Fruits and vegetables high in volatile oils: guava, grapefruit, lime, lemon, orange, tangerine, basil, celery, coriander, parsley, peppermint, and spearmint. Volatile oils have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities.
- Foods high in flavonoids: berries and red grapes. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that boost immune system.
- Garlic and onions. They are natural antibiotics.
- Ginger.
- Green tea.
- Turmeric. It contains a strong antioxidant called curcumin that supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and enhances liver detoxification.
- Wild yam.
- Pineapple.
- Fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids: berries, apricot, cantaloupe, ornage, papaya, kiwi, durian, persimmon, pitaya, tamarillo, arugula, avocado, beets, carrots, coriander, collard greens, spinach, watercress and radicchio.
- Mushrooms maitake, reishi, and shiitake. They have immune-modulating activities.
Recommended Supplements:
- Glutamine: 10 – 20 grams a day. This amino acid helps preserving lean muscle mass and recovering from illness.
- BCAA (branched-chain amino acid): 5 – 10 grams a day. It helps preventing from wasting muscles.
- HMB (hydorxy methyl butyrate): 1 – 3 grams a day. It is for preservation of lean body mass.
- Arginine: 2 – 5 grams a day. This amino acid improves blood circulation and prevents from the loss of lean muscle mass.
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): 50 – 100 mg a day. It helps to keep muscle mass and may also improve fatigue and depression in people with AIDS.
- Whey Isolate protein: 20 – 30 gr a day.
- French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. It is a powerful flavonoid that supports immune system.
- Grape Seed Extract: 50 – 100 mg a day.
- Co – Enzyme Q10: 100 – 300 mg a day. It is an antioxidant that boosts immune system, improves energy level, and reduces fatigue.
- Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 1 -3 grams a day.
- Aloe Vera juice: ¼ – ½ cup three times a day. It is a powerhouse of nutrients and has healing affects.
- Curcumin: 1000 – 1500 mg a day. It is a strong antioxidant that supports liver function, fights inflammation and shows anti-HIV activity.
- Milk Thistle (containing 70 – 80% silymarin): 200 – 250 mg a day. This herb detoxifies the liver.
- Vitamin E: 800 IU a day.
- Vitamin D: 300 – 5000 IU a day.
- Vitamin C: 2000 – 3000 mg a day.
- Selenium: 400 mcg. Selenium may slow down growth of the virus, reduce load of the virus, and improve immune function.
- Zinc: 50 – 100 mg a day.
- L – Carnitine: 2 – 3 grams a day.
- ALA (alpha-lipoic acid): 150 – 450 mg a day.
- Colostrum:1000 – 5000 mg a day. It has an immune-boosting effect by providing different immunoglobulins.
- Multivitamins-Multiminerals: A high potency product.
- Digestive Enzymes: A full spectrum product.
- Probiotics: take a product that provides 5 to 10 billion active organisms per serving.
- Licorice Root Extract (containing 10% glycyrrhizin): 500 – 1000 mg a day. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities.
- Andrographis extract: 500 – 2000 mg a day. This herb has anti-viral and immune boosting properties.
Miscellaneous Suggestions:
- Exercise.
- Liver detoxification.
- Colon cleansing.
