The Library

Today (January 26, 2009), I’m beginning the upload of journal articles and other information.

Categories are shown below. Each page will list articles in that category, with a brief description or abstract and a link to the PDF file.

First, the article that got me started: “Nutrients and HIV”, an article by Lyn Patrick, ND, published in the Alternative Medicine Review in 1999 and 2000. Part 2 was the first serious, well-referenced article — technically a literature review — that I found in 2005, when I was wading through scores of fraudulent websites. It took some searching to find Parts 1 and 3, the main reason I’m hosting all three parts now.

If you Google the title, you’ll find the three parts in various spots all over the Internet. The only place I’ve seen all three together and in the same format is the publisher’s website (Thorne), and that only now, not in 2005. So, here they are:

Part I: Beta Carotene and Selenium

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV/AIDS, resulting from both malabsorption and virally-caused depletion. Beta carotene and selenium deficiencies, two of the most common nutrient deficiencies, are important due to their dual function as nutrients necessary for immune modulation and as antioxidants. Beta carotene deficiencies are
common in all stages of HIV/AIDS and may signal malabsorption.

Supplementation has been shown to affect specific T-lymphocyte populations and decrease markers of lipoperoxides. Selenium levels are highly significant in predicting AIDS-related mortality; and the HIV virus manufactures selenoproteins that are involved in the regulation
of viral replication, possibly depleting host levels of selenium.

Supplementation trials with individual antioxidants have shown improvement in immunological parameters and decreased evidence of lipid peroxidation.

Part II: Vitamins A and E, Zinc, B-vitamins, and Magnesium

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that micronutrient deficiencies can profoundly affect immunity; micronutrient deficiencies are widely seen in HIV, even in asymptomatic patients. Direct relationships have been found between deficiencies of specific nutrients, such as vitamins A and B12, and a decline in CD4 counts. Deficiencies appear to influence vertical transmission (vitamin A) and may affect progression to AIDS (vitamin A, B12, zinc). Correction of deficiencies has been shown to affect symptoms and disease manifestation (AIDS dementia complex and B12; diarrhea, weight loss, and zinc), and certain micronutrients have demonstrated a direct anti-viral effect in vitro (vitamin E and zinc).

The previous article in this series focused on selenium and beta carotene deficiencies in HIV/AIDS. This literature review elucidates how deficiencies of the micronutrients zinc, magnesium, vitamins A, E, and specific B vitamins relate to HIV symptomology and progression, and clearly illustrates the need for nutritional supplementation in HIV disease.

Part III: N-Acetylcysteine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, L-Glutamine, and L-Carnitine

Abstract

The role of antioxidants in preventing apoptosis and viral activation in HIV is well documented. N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, and alpha-lipoic acid have been shown to interrupt the process of viral activation and CD4 cell death. L-glutamine has been shown to improve glutathione levels and significantly increase lean body mass in HIV infection.

The literature on the use of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in treating mitochondrial toxicity, both in muscle and nerve pathologies is relevant in nutritional treatment of HIV, given the mitochondrial toxicity of nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy.

The current use of highly-active antiviral therapies, their toxicity, and significant failure rates have created the need for a more conservative reassessment of HIV treatment. The adjunctive use of nutrient therapy in the treatment of HIV is reviewed here.

I cannot more strongly recommend starting with these three articles. Click on each link to access the PDF. Read each one a few times; look up references via PubMed as desired!