Living with HIV-1/AIDS Through Total Health Management Parris M. Kidd, PhD © Reprinted with permission from total health magazine

 

AIDS is the worst epidemic in history. More than 42 million people are now living with HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. In 2002 about 3.1 million people died of AIDS and 5 million people became infected. With the virus constantly spawning new drug-resistant mutations, antiviral drugs remain only part of the strategy for survival. The person with HIV (PHIV) does have further options to hold off this insidious virus.

The person with HIV-1 has many options
From the epidemic's beginning, PHIV found they could stay healthier and delay AIDS by improving their diet, doing regular exercise, taking dietary supplements, and cutting out drinking, smoking and recreational drug use. Even with all the high-tech drugs now available, a total health approach to life is still the only means for long-term survival.

There still isn't a cure for AIDS, no magic bullet. Still the vaccines aren't working, the drugs have severe side effects, and still the virus can develop resistance. These are factors largely beyond the control of the PHIV. But other very important factors are controllable. Many positive things can be done to improve the body’s health and make the immune system more robust. Many negative influences can be identified and eliminated. This is the essence of total health management.

Environmental toxins take away our power
Back in 1990, doing my book on HIV/AIDS I found proof that smoking speeds HIV/AIDS progression, as does “recreational drug” use (including high marijuana use). It’s important for the PHIV to understand that toxic chemical attack on the body works in synergy with the infectious stress from the virus and with the many other stressful factors we encounter, including emotional stress. Each factor multiplies the effects of the other, to increase free radical activity, deplete the body’s protective antioxidants, and lower immune system function. Everything the PHIV can do to minimize these effects on the body will help slow progression to AIDS.

Not totally under individuals’ control, but also synergistic with the lifestyle toxins, is the planet's heavy burden of environmental toxins. To these the HIV person is particularly vulnerable. Immune system organs are especially vulnerable, because they're continually making new cells and cells are more vulnerable when dividing. Single immune cells that circulate with the blood or are posted in the tissues are additionally vulnerable to high concentrations of toxins in the surrounding blood.

It is very hard for the individual person with HIV to avoid toxins when literally billions of pounds are being released into the air, water, and soils each year. Major offenders are the thousands of chemicals from cigarette smoke and car emissions; the hundreds of pesticides and herbicides, including their “inactive ingredients” which often do not have to be disclosed on the label; solvents used in dry cleaning, chip making, and other industries; the toxic metals lead, arsenic, cadmium, asbestos, and aluminum; and last but not least, the mercury still used in dental fillings. All of these work together against the immune system, the liver, kidneys, brain, circulation, reproductive, and other organs. Contrary to what you sometimes hear in the media, the cumulative scientific evidence indicates there is no safe level of exposure to toxins. Many integrative medicine physicians offer detoxification programs.

Emotional stress also has biochemical effects that elevate free radical load on the body and otherwise suppress immunity. Meditation and other stress reduction is essential for the PHIV.

• better equipped to fight the virus through natural immunity;
• more resistant to the virus attacking the T cells and other tissues;
• more able to manage the toxic side effects of the anti-viral drugs;
• slower to progress to AIDS.

It is an unfortunate fact of life, that contaminated foods are prevalent in the North American food supply. Governmental regulation is spotty, so for the PHIV it’s advisable to spend the extra money and buy organic, or have some fun by growing your own.

Many foods are laced with sugar (sucrose), which interferes with immunity. Consuming high-sucrose foods, and drinks loaded with “high-fructose corn syrup” which is really a high-sucrose concentrate, can subject the virally - stressed body to unnecessary chemical stress. High-glycemic, junk food meals that shoot sugar into the blood exhaust the insulin system and produce free radical-type substances that damage the tissues. These contribute to the inflammatory processes ongoing in HIV-positive individuals. Fried foods carry peroxides from the frying oils, which further increase the body’s free radical load.

The most nutritious foods are those that are least processed, have no added sucrose or additives, and are highly “nutrient-dense” with vitamins and minerals. Many of these foods also contain fibre. Insoluble fiber encourages good intestinal function and regularity; soluble fiber feeds the friendly bacteria that live symbiotically in our intestines (“probiotics”). By “revving-up” our immune system, probiotics make a big difference to our health.

Antioxidant foods are especially valuable for the PHIV. Our immune cells typically use free radicals as ammunition and carry antioxidants to protect themselves against “friendly fire.” Foods rich in antioxidants include spinach, broccoli, beets, kale, red peppers, other deeply coloured vegetables, kelp, seaweed foods, beans, nuts, seeds, and sprouts, buckwheat flour, prunes and raisins, berries of all kinds and apples, avocados, grapes (esp. red), kiwi fruit, lemons, bananas, orange, grapefruit, papaya, and pineapple.

Olive oil is rich in polyphenol antioxidants. Garlic, onions, ginger, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, fennel, and fenugreek are strongly antioxidant. Green and black teas are super-antioxidant, superior to the fruit juices with their sugar content or wines with their alcohol liability.

Dietary supplements integral to HIV/AIDS management
All of us benefit from a daily dietary supplement program (see “Developing Your Personal Nutrient Plan,” issue 250, August 2003). A broad-spectrum, high-potency , multivitamin-mineral supplement and extra vitamins C and E are mandatory. But the PHIV requires additional levels of nutraceutical support. Studies indicate about 2/3 persons with HIV and 4/5 AIDS patients have measurable nutritional deficiencies, which unless corrected will speed progression to AIDS.
Another common problem for the PHIV is low energy. Energy-cofactor nutrients such as coenzyme Q10 (“CoQ10”) and alpha-lipoic acid (both also excellent antioxidants) address this problem, together with carnitine and high B vitamin intakes.

The antiviral drugs add toxic chemical stress
Anti-retroviral drugs have high potential for toxicity. They can block HIV reproduction through blocking its enzymes, but unfortunately they often also block enzymes that our cells use for essential life functions. The “Nukes” (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors) often cause nerve damage and can cause throat swelling, nausea, and diarrhea, along with inflammation of the pancreas and life-threatening liver damage. The “non-Nukes” (Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors) can block liver detoxification enzymes. The non-Nukes have major negative interactions with alcohol, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), and phenobarbital.

The PIs (Protease Inhibitors) aren’t any better. They drive blood cholesterol and triglycerides abnormally high and elevate heart disease risk. They can cause intestinal problems, kidney stones and liver damage. The drugs extend life in almost 80 per cent of the patients, but only if taken daily at the right times, and only if the side effects don't kill the patient.
Media articles and pharmaceutical industry propaganda tends to trumpet “the new generation of life-extending AIDS drugs”, rather than reporting the killer side effects. In many AIDS doctors' practices, most of the precious time available for seeing the patient is now spent dealing with the side effects of the anti-retroviral drugs. PHIV should take the antiviral drugs with nutrients to help them better tolerate the drugs and add to the drugs' benefits without blocking their actions.

Non-toxic adjuncts to drug antivirals
Phytosterols are plant-derived nutraceuticals that include beta-sitosterol (BSS) and beta-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG). In a long-term clinical trial conducted in South Africa (lasting more than 2 years), one such standardized preparation increased CD4 numbers and in some subjects also reduced viral load.

Another nontoxic agent with potential for PHIV is mushroom concentrates. They are clinically proven immunity enhancers but require further investigation against HIV in controlled trials. Individual physicians have reported they are useful in treating HIV/AIDS patients.

Long-term survival with HIV/AIDS requires lessening the body’s toxic and other stressful burdens. On top of (1) cleaning up the diet, (2) supplementing with nutrient concentrates and probiotic bacteria, and (3) reducing the body burden of metals and other toxins, comes (4) daily moderate exercise and (5) a conscious commitment to self-empowerment. As with all others confronted with chronic disease, for the PHIV/AIDS a total approach to health management offers the best chances for a long and happy life.