Nutrients and HIV
Part I: Beta Carotene and Selenium
Alternative Medicine Review 1999 (Dec); 4 (6): 403–413 – FULL TEXT
HIV infection involves a progressive immune dysfunction and loss of CD4 T cells leading to opportunistic infection, wasting syndrome, malignancies, or CD4 depletion significant enough to qualify as CDC-defined AIDS. Several research studies have indicated that the apoptosis of CD4 cells contributing to HIV progression does not result solely from HIV infection, but largely from antioxidant imbalances in the host. (1-3)
Part II: Vitamins A and E, Zinc, B-Vitamins, and Magnesium
Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Feb); 5 (1): 39–51 – FULL TEXT
Vitamin A deficiency is a common occurrence in HIV infection, and serum levels appear to decrease as the disease progresses. (1) Low serum levels of vitamin A were found in 12-19 percent of HIV-positive, asymptomatic subjects in the United States. (1,2) Vitamin A deficiency was found in an increasingly higher proportion of women than men (p< .01) in an HIV-infected, intravenous drug-using population. (3)
Part III: N-Acetylcysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, L-Glutamine, and L-Carnitine
Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Aug); 5 (4): 290–305 – FULL TEXT
HIV infection and the progression to AIDS involves a long period of latent infection characterized by low levels of viral replication that slowly increase to the point of immunosuppression. (1) This progression is accelerated if the latent (non-reproducing) provirus in the nuclei of the lymphocyte is activated. (2) Oxidative stress induces both viral activation of HIV and DNA damage, leading to immunosuppression. (3–5) It is now generally accepted that a central pathologic feature of HIV disease involves oxidative stress, leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis) and depletion of CD4 cells. (6,7)
A Nutritional Approach to Immunity
The human body is continually protecting itself from the outside world. To shield itself from harmful environmental stimuli, the body employs its cells, biochemicals, organs and tissues. The complex interaction of these physiological systems produces immunity. Some of these systems have dual roles: The digestive system, for example, not only extracts and absorbs nutrients from foods but also destroys pathogenic organisms that may be present in foods. Other immune system components are more focused: White blood cells are specifically designed to destroy invading organisms.
Solving Sinusitis Naturally
The therapeutic goal for acute sinusitis is to clear the URI and reestablish proper sinus drainage. Most doctors prescribe antibiotics. This practice, however, is being scrutinized because most cases of acute sinusitis are viral and therefore not responsive to antibiotics. There is also growing concern among doctors that antibiotic overuse is causing a proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. [ 2,3 ] A better strategy is to strengthen the immune system so it can counteract the underlying respiratory infection. Several nutrients can help your customers with acute sinusitis.
Aging Gracefully With Antioxidants
Living well includes getting enough relaxation, exercise, community spirit and nutritious foods. It may also include taking vitamins. An avalanche of research data suggests that high intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and supplements lowers the risk of old-age diseases.1
Becoming Supplement Savvy
No one practice cures or prevents all illness and degeneration, though any one of them will help to some degree. Nutrients work in complex synergies. A look at the literature suggests that almost any one nutrient helps with almost any health problem. For example, vitamins C and E help with heart disease, but so do essential fatty acids, selenium and magnesium, the B complex vitamins, some flavonoids, as well as the amino acids carnitine, lysine and proline and the accessory nutrient Co-Q10. 18-20
Defeating Free Radicals: The Key to Longevity
Renewal: The Anti-Aging Revolution
Great moments in human history often begin inauspiciously. Such was the case in December 1945, when the wife of Denham Harmon handed him the latest issue of the Ladies' Home Journal. It was opened to an article titled "Tomorrow You May Be Younger," written by William L. Laurence, science editor of the New York Times. This article, heralding the work of a Russian gerontologist on an "anti-reticular cytotoxic serum," sparked Dr. Harmon's interest in finding an answer to the riddle of aging--a subject that scientists of the time knew absolutely nothing about.
The Free Radical Theory of Aging
Free radicals disrupt the normal production of DNA and RNA and alter the lipids, or fats, in cell membranes. They also damage cells lining blood vessels and interfere with the production of prostaglandins, which are derived from essential fatty acids and regulate many physiological functions. Partly as a result of free radical damage, aging leads to alteration of proteins (cross-linking).
Immune Enhancers
The immune system is the body's ultimate defense against infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. It also protects against genetic mistakes made in cellular replication that result in tumor or cancer growth. The immune system is complex, containing many interacting blood cells, proteins and chemicals. A healthy immune system contains elements that are in balance with one another. In a compromised immune system, the components are unbalanced and unable to protect the body against harmful agents or processes.
Life in the Balance - The Critical Need for Omega-3 Supplementation
Imagine the impact of a shift in dietary patterns so rapid and radical that it adversely effects thousands of bodily metabolic functions simultaneously. Perhaps a world-wide famine, global water or atmospheric pollution and/or radiation could pose such a threat by contaminating or robbing our food of nutrients. The fact of the matter is the scenario given here is not hypothetical but exists here and now. Though not as obvious as a global catastrophe, the true cause is much more insidious and began with the industrial revolution and the processing of food stuffs to facilitate national and global transportation, packaging and stability.
Understanding the Immune System
Center For Immune Research
This Adobe Acrobat file is a primer that discusses the components of the Immune System, explains how it is activated to fight invaders, and defines factors that affect the Immune System. You might also enjoy this Immune System Glossary of Terms
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