-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
immune system
AIDS/HIV
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
AIDS is a disease in which the immune system is unable to fight off infections. The HIV virus weakens the body's resistance to other viruses and bacteria in the environment, making the person with AIDS extremely vulnerable to disease.
AIDS is thought to be due to an infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (or HIV). Current research indicates that the virus is transmitted through contact with body fluids such as blood, semen, cerebrospinal fluid, and vaginal secretions. Although HIV has been found in other body fluids such as tears and saliva, it appears that the concentration of the virus is too low to make these fluids infectious.
Modes of contact in transmitting HIV include sexual intercourse, sharing hypodermic needles, accidental transfusions of infected blood or blood products, and transmission from mother to child through the placenta or the birth canal. Factors that contribute to the development of AIDS are liver ailments, the frequent use of antibiotics, nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, stress, and smoking.
The AIDS virus may initially present few symptoms beyond an HIV positive blood test. At first the person may think that he or she has a very persistent cold or flu. Health problems such as Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, tuberculosis, salmonella, yeast infections, pneumonia, or cancer may be the first indicators of an HIV infection.
HIV-positive individuals may suffer on and off from fevers, heavy sweating, constant tiredness, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. Other symptoms are sore throats, diarrhea, swollen glands, skin rashes, and weight loss. In the full-blown version of AIDS, cancers and infections may appear.
AIDS is a serious, life threatening disease; therefore, HIV-positive individuals should be under the care and supervision of a physician. A simple blood test to detect the AIDS virus is widely available. If you are in a high risk group for the disease such as being an intravenous drug user, a gay or bisexual male, a prostitute, or have lived in Haiti or Africa, it is good to get tested even if you are not experiencing symptoms of infection.
Being HIV positive should not be taken as a death sentence. Many measures can be taken to strengthen and encourage the body's defenses against disease and to stop or at least slow down the onset of dangerous infections that usually characterize a case of full-blown AIDS. Any recommendations should be carried out with the support and overall supervision of a physician.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USED FOR AIDS AND CAN BE TAKEN ON A LONG-TERM BASIS:
1. A Multivitamin and mineral supplement taken daily, according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is important to choose a brand that is free of sugar and artificial ingredients.
2. Zinc picolinate 15 milligrams twice a day with meals.
3. Pantothenic acid 900 milligrams per day.
4. Magnesium 400 milligrams per day.
5. Thymus extract 2 capsules twice a day with meals.
6. Vitamin E 400 Units, 1 to 2 times a day.
7. Folic acid 50 milligrams per day.
8. Manganese 10 milligrams, 3 times a day.
9. Calcium 1,000 milligrams per day.
10. Fish oil 1 to 2 tablespoons daily.
11. Vitamin C 1,000 milligrams, 3 times per day.
12. Beta-carotene 200,000 Units once a day. Pregnant women (or women who may become pregnant) should not take more than 15,000 Units a day.
13. Shiitake Mushrooms 3 ounces (which equals 5 to 6 mushrooms) daily or 3 capsules 3 times a day if taken in capsule form.
THE PROPER DIET FOR AIDS WILL INCLUDE:
1. Maintaining a healthy diet This is extremely important because malnutrition is often a problem with an HIV infection. Use fresh foods as close to the natural state as possible, avoiding prepackaged and processed foods. Eat daily servings of leafy green vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice and rolled oats), fresh fruit, and proteins with a minimum of animal fat. Drink at least 8 cups of fluids daily. For more information refer to the article on healthy diet.
2. Since sugar slows down the immune system response, avoid, as much as possible, sugar foods (such as candy, cake, cookies, and soda pop) and processed flours and refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and white rice).
3. Reduce the use of fats such as butter, margarine, vegetable oils, and mayonnaise. Nuts and nut butters also have a high fat content and need to be limited.
4. Have an ample intake of dietary fiber. Eat at least 2 of the following foods daily: 1 bowl of salad, 1 cup of cooked leafy green vegetables, 1 apple, 1 tablespoon of wheat or oat bran.
5. Eliminate or at least greatly reduce consumption of alcohol.
6. Decrease or eliminate consumption of caffeine, found mostly in coffee, black tea, chocolate, and some over-the-counter medications.
7. Reduce the use of animal products in the diet. This includes meat, organ foods such as liver, eggs, cheese, milk, sour cream, and other dairy products. Replace the protein from meat and milk products with fish, beans, nuts, and seeds.
8. Limit or avoid fried foods.
9. Eat fish that is rich in essential fatty acids, such as mackerel, herring, and salmon - twice per week.
10. Add seaweeds to the diet. Health food stores and Asian food stores usually carry several different kinds such as hijiki, arame, dulse, and nori. Consult a cookbook as to the pre-paration. Kelp is easy to use because it can be purchased as a powder and sprinkled on food as a salty condiment.
HERBS USED FOR AIDS:
Powdered Licorice Root 3 capsules, 3 times per day between meals.
Powdered Chinese Astragalus Root 3 capsules, 3 times per day.
Echinecea Root and Golden Seal Root 1 capsule of each 3 times a day. Both of these herbs have immune stimulating properties.
PHYSICAL THERAPY MEASURES INCLUDE:
1. Regular exercise This is important. Brisk walking, aerobics, swimming, tennis, and racquetball are all excellent forms of exercise. It is best to start out slowly and increase the amount of physical exercise gradually. It may be helpful to consult an exercise specialist.
2. Stress needs to be dealt with effectively through stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation. Counseling and support groups are highly recommended. Positive affirmations and doing visualization exercises may also be of merit. For more information, refer to the article on stress reduction.
3. Use safe sex practices. This basically means to prevent coming in contact with your partner's body fluids. Condoms and rubber gloves are helpful for this purpose. For more information, consult literature on safe sex.
4. Get adequate bed rest and take naps as needed.
5. As long as there are no infectious skin diseases present, gentle massage work from a knowledgeable practitioner is highly recommended.
6. Eliminate smoking and the use of so-called recreational drugs.
Clinic
See articles on individual topics in Integrative section of Materia Media grouped as AIDS/HIV Naturopathic Treatment.
Footnotes
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