70 replies to this topic

[madbrain]

I am a 31 year old male and was diagnosed HIV+ in november 2006 and infected shortly before then. My doctor is keeping me off HIV medications right now due to slow/no evidence of disease progression. I want to keep my progression slow, so I started supplements in 2007. Here is my current supplement regimen for this year. Almost all of them are from NOW foods. The daily cost is about $2.50.

- NOW adam superior multi (2 tabs)
- NOW l-glutamine 500mg (2 caps)
- NOW omega-3 (2 softgels)
- NOW acetyl l-carnitine 500mg (1 cap)
- NOW super enzymes (2 caps)
- NOW melatonin 3mg (1 cap)
- NOW C 500 (2 tabs)
- NOW EGCG green tea extract 400 mg (2 caps)
- NOW vitamin D 2000 IU (2 gels)
- NOW probiotics gr8-dophilus (2 caps)
- NOW B6 50mg (1 tab)
- NOW magnesium citrate 200 mg (1 tab)
- NOW alpha lipoic acid 250mg (2 caps)
- NOW vitamin E 400 natural d-alpha tocopheryl (1 gel)
- NOW vitamin B-12 1000 mcg (1 lozenge)
- Nature made calcium 750 mg/D400/K50 (1 tab)
- Jarrow n-acetyl cysteine 600mg (2 caps)

I split the above in 2 daily doses, with food each time.

My other long-term problems include bipolar disorder (mostly depression), sleep issues, heartburn, slow/frequent urination, and vitamin D deficiency. My physician has vetted all the supplements I take (he actually wrote me prescriptions for them, so I can buy them tax-free in my FSA, and he is not against the others). But he is not an authority on supplements, so I'm pretty much left on my own doing research on them. I chose most of the above for their anti-HIV activity based on studies I found. I have had levels taken for calcium, magnesium, selenium, B12 and D. I am on a high dose of D (about 5000 IU total per day) because my bipolar med (tegretol) depletes it.

Is there any other supplement you would add to the list if you were in my shoes ?
Obviously with the HIV I'm at a slight disadvantage for reaching immortality. But I still wouldn't mind taking other things that could benefit me. In particular anything that can give me more energy would be good. I tend to have a lot more fatigue than I used to, though I'm not sure if it's caused by the HIV, depression, or a little of both.
Cost is not the biggest issue. I could go to a $10/day regimen if I was convinced it was worth it.

[niner]

Is there any other supplement you would add to the list if you were in my shoes ?
Obviously with the HIV I'm at a slight disadvantage for reaching immortality. But I still wouldn't mind taking other things that could benefit me. In particular anything that can give me more energy would be good. I tend to have a lot more fatigue than I used to, though I'm not sure if it's caused by the HIV, depression, or a little of both.
Cost is not the biggest issue. I could go to a $10/day regimen if I was convinced it was worth it.

If your viral load is low enough that your doctor elects not to treat it, then I suspect the fatigue is mostly due to depression. You might try increasing the ALCAR to 2 caps a day for more energy. I would try to eat a healthy diet and exercise a lot.

[Hedgehog]

I am a 31 year old male and was diagnosed HIV+ in november 2006 and infected shortly before then. My doctor is keeping me off HIV medications right now due to slow/no evidence of disease progression. I want to keep my progression slow, so I started supplements in 2007. Here is my current supplement regimen for this year. Almost all of them are from NOW foods. The daily cost is about $2.50.



Is there any other supplement you would add to the list if you were in my shoes ?
Obviously with the HIV I'm at a slight disadvantage for reaching immortality. But I still wouldn't mind taking other things that could benefit me. In particular anything that can give me more energy would be good. I tend to have a lot more fatigue than I used to, though I'm not sure if it's caused by the HIV, depression, or a little of both.
Cost is not the biggest issue. I could go to a $10/day regimen if I was convinced it was worth it.

I don't want to scare you but you should get on HIV treatment soon. There had been some recent liturature that suggests that even though your viral load maybe low you are still infecting cells. You have the active HIV+ cells and then you have cells that are HIV+ but don't express HIV very often. There are recent articles stating that viral load is not the best indicator of diease progression.

There are a few good drugs. Atripla is a once a day dosing pill that combines three active drugs. There are also companies such as Panacos that are inventing new maturation inhibitors.

Anyways if you want more info let me know...

[Matt]

Not too much exercise though, that also depletes the immune system.

Add some Quercetin to the mix too

Don't worry, stay healthy and you still have a fair chance at eventually beating it.

[Hedgehog]

I am a 31 year old male and was diagnosed HIV+ in november 2006 and infected shortly before then. My doctor is keeping me off HIV medications right now due to slow/no evidence of disease progression. I want to keep my progression slow, so I started supplements in 2007. Here is my current supplement regimen for this year. Almost all of them are from NOW foods. The daily cost is about $2.50.



Is there any other supplement you would add to the list if you were in my shoes ?
Obviously with the HIV I'm at a slight disadvantage for reaching immortality. But I still wouldn't mind taking other things that could benefit me. In particular anything that can give me more energy would be good. I tend to have a lot more fatigue than I used to, though I'm not sure if it's caused by the HIV, depression, or a little of both.
Cost is not the biggest issue. I could go to a $10/day regimen if I was convinced it was worth it.

I don't want to scare you but you should get on HIV treatment soon. There had been some recent liturature that suggests that even though your viral load maybe low you are still infecting cells. You have the active HIV+ cells and then you have cells that are HIV+ but don't express HIV very often. There are recent articles stating that viral load is not the best indicator of diease progression.

There are a few good drugs. Atripla is a once a day dosing pill that combines three active drugs. There are also companies such as Panacos that are inventing new maturation inhibitors.

Anyways if you want more info let me know...

One more question. Do you know what strain of HIV you have? thnx

[madbrain]

niner,

You might try increasing the ALCAR to 2 caps a day for more energy. I would try to eat a healthy diet and exercise a lot.

Thanks. I'll try increasing the ALCAR. My diet is OK. I don't exercise much mostly due to the fatigue.

[madbrain]

I don't want to scare you but you should get on HIV treatment soon. There had been some recent liturature that suggests that even though your viral load maybe low you are still infecting cells. You have the active HIV+ cells and then you have cells that are HIV+ but don't express HIV very often. There are recent articles stating that viral load is not the best indicator of diease progression.

There are a few good drugs. Atripla is a once a day dosing pill that combines three active drugs. There are also companies such as Panacos that are inventing new maturation inhibitors.

Anyways if you want more info let me know...

My viral load is currently around 1600, and has never been higher than 3000. My CD4s have fluctuated between about 550 and 800, an CD4% betweem 27 and 40. I know the treatment guidelines consider both the VL and CD4.

I know about the once-a-day Atripla. My bf was put on it as his lab numbers weren't nearly as good as mine. The sustiva in it made him very tired, and he was switched to a different combo.

I haven't heard about Panacos. Info would be welcome.

[madbrain]

Not too much exercise though, that also depletes the immune system.

Add some Quercetin to the mix too

Don't worry, stay healthy and you still have a fair chance at eventually beating it.

How much quercetin should I take ?

[madbrain]

One more question. Do you know what strain of HIV you have? thnx

Not off the top of my head. I am sure my doctor knows. I have a copy of the genotype somewhere, would that info be on it ? I seem to remember seeing only mutations.

[Hedgehog]

I don't want to scare you but you should get on HIV treatment soon. There had been some recent liturature that suggests that even though your viral load maybe low you are still infecting cells. You have the active HIV+ cells and then you have cells that are HIV+ but don't express HIV very often. There are recent articles stating that viral load is not the best indicator of diease progression.

There are a few good drugs. Atripla is a once a day dosing pill that combines three active drugs. There are also companies such as Panacos that are inventing new maturation inhibitors.

Anyways if you want more info let me know...

My viral load is currently around 1600, and has never been higher than 3000. My CD4s have fluctuated between about 550 and 800, an CD4% betweem 27 and 40. I know the treatment guidelines consider both the VL and CD4.

I know about the once-a-day Atripla. My bf was put on it as his lab numbers weren't nearly as good as mine. The sustiva in it made him very tired, and he was switched to a different combo.

I haven't heard about Panacos. Info would be welcome.

those numbers ok. I guess what I'm trying to say is that VL and CD4 are not always a good indicator of what is realy going on inside. It is best main stream indicator.

LOL that is funny your are correct sustiva is the shitiest part of atripla. Maybe take truvada and another similar active of sustiva.

[Hedgehog]

I haven't heard about Panacos. Info would be welcome.

Panacos is still in clinical trials but they are a the world leaders for a potential block buster drug.

Edited by Hedgehog, 04 March 2008 - 05:01 AM.

[Hedgehog]

One more question. Do you know what strain of HIV you have? thnx

Not off the top of my head. I am sure my doctor knows. I have a copy of the genotype somewhere, would that info be on it ? I seem to remember seeing only mutations.

Well if you find the strain you have and maybe even the mutation you would be able to tell which drugs would be most effective. For example you can take all these drugs or all the drugs your doctor listed but if you don't know what strain and mutations you won't really know if they are working or not. All you are able to do is wait and see if your viral load goes down. This will also keep the potential side effects low.

Edited by Hedgehog, 04 March 2008 - 05:05 AM.

[madbrain]

Hi,

Well if you find the strain you have and maybe even the mutation you would be able to tell which drugs would be most effective. For example you can take all these drugs or all the drugs your doctor listed but if you don't know what strain and mutations you won't really know if they are working or not. All you are able to do is wait and see if your viral load goes down. This will also keep the potential side effects low.

The genotype profile was saying my virus had no resistance to any drug, ie. I could go on any of the combos and it would be effective. The doc advised me to stay off meds mostly based on my numbers and the long-term toxicity of most of the HIV meds. He said to go on them when necessary, but not before. I trust my doc to prescribe the right meds when necessary - he is an HIV specialist. And I will take the meds when he tells me to. But the reason I posted here was to seek advice about the supplements, not about the meds.

[senseix]

I really don't know a whole lot about aids/hiv itself, but i am one that is interested in boosting immunity. I've been taking Dimond V Xpc if you do a search on that you will find a nice thread that shows several people from this site have been taking it and up to this point have been getting nice results, i've been taking since november and it has worked good for keeping my colds away and also my sleep is great, my skin looks dang good. On my quest to looking up a way to beat the flu and nasty colds, and even allergies late last year, i came across this Lauricidin , i don't know if it works or not haven't tried it, but from the website it looks promising against certain bacteria and viruses like Aids and Herpies and such, maybe check into that and see? Here is the link and good luck.


http://www.lauricidin.com/

Edited by senseix, 04 March 2008 - 05:23 AM.

[Hedgehog]

Hi,

Well if you find the strain you have and maybe even the mutation you would be able to tell which drugs would be most effective. For example you can take all these drugs or all the drugs your doctor listed but if you don't know what strain and mutations you won't really know if they are working or not. All you are able to do is wait and see if your viral load goes down. This will also keep the potential side effects low.

The genotype profile was saying my virus had no resistance to any drug, ie. I could go on any of the combos and it would be effective. The doc advised me to stay off meds mostly based on my numbers and the long-term toxicity of most of the HIV meds. He said to go on them when necessary, but not before. I trust my doc to prescribe the right meds when necessary - he is an HIV specialist. And I will take the meds when he tells me to. But the reason I posted here was to seek advice about the supplements, not about the meds.

I understand. If there are any supplements that are effective for HepC or HepB there is a good chance they will also be effective for HIV. Your doctor is correct regarding long-term tox, however there are people on certain medications for many years in a row and some of the newer drugs have had very little side effects. The older generation had many sideffects. I'll PM you some papers if you would be interested in reading them? Give me a few days to dig them up.

Warmest Regards,

~Hh

[madbrain]

Hi,

I understand. If there are any supplements that are effective for HepC or HepB there is a good chance they will also be effective for HIV. Your doctor is correct regarding long-term tox, however there are people on certain medications for many years in a row and some of the newer drugs have had very little side effects. The older generation had many sideffects. I'll PM you some papers if you would be interested in reading them? Give me a few days to dig them up.

Yes, I know the meds are much better now than they used to be. But still, basically no one has been taking any of the current combos for more than 12 years. And it's not a decision you can go back on once you start. Unlike with a supplement, once you go on HIV meds, you have to stay on HIV meds for the rest of your life. Many studies have found those who interrupted treatment died. Not going on treatment before it's needed also preserves the possibility of using one class of medication - not building resistance to it, by not using it or missing any doses. So, I'm comfortable with my doctor's decision to keep me off the HIV meds the moment. I get my levels checked every 3 months so we have that discussion frequently.

What supplements do you know that work against HepB/C ?

I'll be happy to read the papers if you PM.

[catdaddy]

You may find this article of interest: http://www.coconutoil.com/hiv.htm

Coconut oil has a lot of healthy properties - seems like everyone could benefit. I just bought a gallon of the stuff myself. Great for healthy cooking.

[Hedgehog]

I haven't heard about Panacos. Info would be welcome.

Panacos is still in clinical trials but they are a the world leaders for a potential block buster drug.

They just released some news... Won't go into detail but I will post the link.

The mean viral load reduction across all 44 patients given bevirimat—regardless of their blood level—was 0.60 log10. In the group of patients that lacked Gag polymorphisms and had effective bevirimat target blood levels, more than 90% responded to bevirimat with a mean viral load reduction of 1.26 log10.


http://www.businessw...amp;newsLang=en

Hope all is well

[madbrain]

Hi,

You may find this article of interest: http://www.coconutoil.com/hiv.htm

Coconut oil has a lot of healthy properties - seems like everyone could benefit. I just bought a gallon of the stuff myself. Great for healthy cooking.

Thanks, but I'm not impressed with the study cited there. It's small and the findings are not conclusive, IMO.

[Hedgehog]

From the most extensive screening effort, carried out by the NCI, calanolide A, isolated from the terrestrial plant Calophyllum lanigerum (Guttiferae), has been discovered as the most interesting natural RT inhibitor.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/10483367

[madbrain]

Hi,

From the most extensive screening effort, carried out by the NCI, calanolide A, isolated from the terrestrial plant Calophyllum lanigerum (Guttiferae), has been discovered as the most interesting natural RT inhibitor.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/10483367

Thanks for the link. I was unable to read the article unfortunately. Also, is there anyone who sells a supplement based on this ?

[Hedgehog]

Hi,

From the most extensive screening effort, carried out by the NCI, calanolide A, isolated from the terrestrial plant Calophyllum lanigerum (Guttiferae), has been discovered as the most interesting natural RT inhibitor.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/10483367

Thanks for the link. I was unable to read the article unfortunately. Also, is there anyone who sells a supplement based on this ?

here is another one.


http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/9593452

We conclude that aqueous A platensis extracts contain antiretroviral activity that may be of potential clinical interest.


I just posted in the supplement forum about this algae.

[Hedgehog]

I am a 31 year old male and was diagnosed HIV+ in november 2006 and infected shortly before then. My doctor is keeping me off HIV medications right now due to slow/no evidence of disease progression. I want to keep my progression slow, so I started supplements in 2007. Here is my current supplement regimen for this year. Almost all of them are from NOW foods. The daily cost is about $2.50.

- NOW adam superior multi (2 tabs)
- NOW l-glutamine 500mg (2 caps)
- NOW omega-3 (2 softgels)
- NOW acetyl l-carnitine 500mg (1 cap)
- NOW super enzymes (2 caps)
- NOW melatonin 3mg (1 cap)
- NOW C 500 (2 tabs)
- NOW EGCG green tea extract 400 mg (2 caps)
- NOW vitamin D 2000 IU (2 gels)
- NOW probiotics gr8-dophilus (2 caps)
- NOW B6 50mg (1 tab)
- NOW magnesium citrate 200 mg (1 tab)
- NOW alpha lipoic acid 250mg (2 caps)
- NOW vitamin E 400 natural d-alpha tocopheryl (1 gel)
- NOW vitamin B-12 1000 mcg (1 lozenge)
- Nature made calcium 750 mg/D400/K50 (1 tab)
- Jarrow n-acetyl cysteine 600mg (2 caps)

I split the above in 2 daily doses, with food each time.

My other long-term problems include bipolar disorder (mostly depression), sleep issues, heartburn, slow/frequent urination, and vitamin D deficiency. My physician has vetted all the supplements I take (he actually wrote me prescriptions for them, so I can buy them tax-free in my FSA, and he is not against the others). But he is not an authority on supplements, so I'm pretty much left on my own doing research on them. I chose most of the above for their anti-HIV activity based on studies I found. I have had levels taken for calcium, magnesium, selenium, B12 and D. I am on a high dose of D (about 5000 IU total per day) because my bipolar med (tegretol) depletes it.

Is there any other supplement you would add to the list if you were in my shoes ?
Obviously with the HIV I'm at a slight disadvantage for reaching immortality. But I still wouldn't mind taking other things that could benefit me. In particular anything that can give me more energy would be good. I tend to have a lot more fatigue than I used to, though I'm not sure if it's caused by the HIV, depression, or a little of both.
Cost is not the biggest issue. I could go to a $10/day regimen if I was convinced it was worth it.

I guess you could start taking resveratrol.... This is just posted on pubmed (two days into the future)


Cell Host Microbe. 2008 Mar 13;3(3):158-67.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Protein Inhibits the SIRT1 Deacetylase and Induces T Cell Hyperactivation.
Kwon HS, Brent MM, Getachew R, Jayakumar P, Chen LF, Schnolzer M, McBurney MW, Marmorstein R, Greene WC, Ott M. Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.

Symptoms of T cell hyperactivation shape the course and outcome of HIV-1 infection, but the mechanism(s) underlying this chronic immune activation are not well understood. We find that the viral transactivator Tat promotes hyperactivation of T cells by blocking the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent deacetylase SIRT1. Tat directly interacts with the deacetylase domain of SIRT1 and blocks the ability of SIRT1 to deacetylate lysine 310 in the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Because acetylated p65 is more active as a transcription factor, Tat hyperactivates the expression of NF-kappaB-responsive genes, a function lost in SIRT1-/- cells. These results support a model where the normal function of SIRT1 as a negative regulator of T cell activation is suppressed by Tat during HIV infection. These events likely contribute to the state of immune cell hyperactivation found in HIV-infected individuals.

Edited by Hedgehog, 11 March 2008 - 10:40 PM.

[Alien65]

I would consider AHCC and Beta-1,3D Glucan.

Please do a google search for "ahcc hiv" and "beta glucan hiv".

The brands that I use are:

NOW AHCC 500 mg
Transfer Point Beta-1,3D Glucan 500 mg

If you could only afford one, I would go with Beta Glucan

Edited by Alien65, 13 March 2008 - 03:23 AM.

[madbrain]

Hi,

I guess you could start taking resveratrol.... This is just posted on pubmed (two days into the future)


Cell Host Microbe. 2008 Mar 13;3(3):158-67.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Protein Inhibits the SIRT1 Deacetylase and Induces T Cell Hyperactivation.
Kwon HS, Brent MM, Getachew R, Jayakumar P, Chen LF, Schnolzer M, McBurney MW, Marmorstein R, Greene WC, Ott M. Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.

Symptoms of T cell hyperactivation shape the course and outcome of HIV-1 infection, but the mechanism(s) underlying this chronic immune activation are not well understood. We find that the viral transactivator Tat promotes hyperactivation of T cells by blocking the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent deacetylase SIRT1. Tat directly interacts with the deacetylase domain of SIRT1 and blocks the ability of SIRT1 to deacetylate lysine 310 in the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Because acetylated p65 is more active as a transcription factor, Tat hyperactivates the expression of NF-kappaB-responsive genes, a function lost in SIRT1-/- cells. These results support a model where the normal function of SIRT1 as a negative regulator of T cell activation is suppressed by Tat during HIV infection. These events likely contribute to the state of immune cell hyperactivation found in HIV-infected individuals.

Thanks for that link. I don't see how it relates to resveratrol.

[sentrysnipe]

Beta Glucan IS A MUST for immune disorders. It's been known to cause cancer apoptosis, inducing remission. Buy Jarrow Beta Glucan or Transfer Point. You need to take high doses of Beta Glucan. 1 bottle from iHerb costs around 22$ and you might need 4 bottles a month. Watch this: http://www.biotherap...Injectable.html

As does Immunoglobulins, IGg IGa OR Lactoferrin. Just watch out for your iron levels. No known side effects from taking Beta Glucan.

Edited by sentrysnipe, 13 March 2008 - 04:34 AM.

[madbrain]

Hi,

I would consider AHCC and Beta-1,3D Glucan.

Please do a google search for "ahcc hiv" and "beta glucan hiv".

Can you please be more specific than "please do a google search" ? Google returns an awful lot of stuff. But I'm still not really sure that taking these is beneficial, how, and at which doses. I spent about an hour following many links.

[madbrain]

Hi,

Beta Glucan IS A MUST for immune disorders. It's been known to cause cancer apoptosis, inducing remission. Buy Jarrow Beta Glucan or Transfer Point. You need to take high doses of Beta Glucan. 1 bottle from iHerb costs around 22$ and you might need 4 bottles a month. Watch this: http://www.biotherap...Injectable.html

As does Immunoglobulins, IGg IGa OR Lactoferrin. Just watch out for your iron levels. No known side effects from taking Beta Glucan.

Interesting video, but I'd like to read the research on beta glucan as it relates to HIV before I justify taking it.

[Alien65]

Hi,

I would consider AHCC and Beta-1,3D Glucan.

Please do a google search for "ahcc hiv" and "beta glucan hiv".

Can you please be more specific than "please do a google search" ? Google returns an awful lot of stuff. But I'm still not really sure that taking these is beneficial, how, and at which doses. I spent about an hour following many links.

I hesitate to recommend substances or doses for others which is why I always suggest each individual do their own research. Both of these substances are immune system enhancers and it would make sense they would be beneficial for HIV. I do not have any disease condition that I'm aware of so I take 1000 mg of Beta-1, 3-D Glucan and 1000 mg of AHCC to maintain a strong immune system. One gram of AHCC three times per day are recommended for cancer patients.
I would use the same dosage of Beta Glucan if I had a serious disease condition.
From what I've read, HIV can not only be contained but cured given the right protocol. High doses of Vitamin C (5-10 gm) are also reported to be beneficial. I use American Health Ester-C 500 mg in veggie caps which is easy on the stomach.
I think you're on the right track. Hope this helps.

Edited by Alien65, 14 March 2008 - 04:10 AM.

[madbrain]

Hi,

I would consider AHCC and Beta-1,3D Glucan.

Please do a google search for "ahcc hiv" and "beta glucan hiv".

Can you please be more specific than "please do a google search" ? Google returns an awful lot of stuff. But I'm still not really sure that taking these is beneficial, how, and at which doses. I spent about an hour following many links.

I hesitate to recommend substances or doses for others which is why I always suggest each individual do their own research. Both of these substances are immune system enhancers and it would make sense they would be beneficial for HIV. I do not have any disease condition that I'm aware of so I take 1000 mg of Beta-1, 3-D Glucan and 1000 mg of AHCC to maintain a strong immune system. One gram of AHCC three times per day are recommended for cancer patients.
I would use the same dosage of Beta Glucan if I had a serious disease condition.
From what I've read, HIV can not only be contained but cured given the right protocol. High doses of Vitamin C (5-10 gm) are also reported to be beneficial. I use American Health Ester-C 500 mg in veggie caps which is easy on the stomach.
I think you're on the right track. Hope this helps.

Right now there is no cure for HIV, only containment of the virus to low levels, as much as I wish this wasn't the case.
I found a good price on some Now AHCC and ordered some. I'll try it at 2 or 3g/day when I get it. I'll see what my next HIV labs look like to evaluate it.
I also got some Quercetin last week. I was coming off with a bad cold and was taking 3g a day. Its addition seemed to help, but I was also taking some cold meds. I'm thinking of 2g/day going forward (1g morning and evening).

I am taking a fairly small amount of vitamin C right now, 1.35 g/day, in the regular ascorbic acid form. This is 350 mg from the multi, and two tablets of 500mg. I have read mixed things about the ester-C vs C.
I'm still debating whether to try the beta glucans. It is not cheap.