(ATN) Bitter Melon: Traditional Treatment for AIDS

[Guest guest]

(ATN) Bitter Melon: Traditional Treatment for AIDS

 

AIDS Treatment News #155

 

 

-------

As many as 100 persons with AIDS or HIV in Los Angeles, California, may be using

bitter melon (Momordica charantia) - - a traditional herbal treatment, and also

a food, in Philippine, Chinese, and certain other cultures -- in the hope that

it might be helpful as an AIDS treatment. No scientific trials have yet been

run; and use of bitter melon as a possible AIDS treatment seems to be mostly

limited to the Los Angeles area at this time. If bitter melon is found to be

helpful, it would be important throughout the world, because this treatment

costs very little, so people everywhere could afford it.

Interest in bitter melon for HIV began in two different ways:

 

First, academic researchers found two proteins in bitter melon which inhibit HIV

in laboratory tests: MAP 30, and momorcharin. But no one knows for sure what

active ingredient or ingredients (if any) might have clinical usefulness.

 

Second, the public interest in bitter melon developed because of the work of one

patient, who tried the treatment after learning that it was being tested in the

Philippines for treating leukemia. He has used it for three years and reports

very good results. He happens to live in Los Angeles, and has spoken at many

AIDS meetings there. That is why the AIDS/HIV use of bitter melon is currently

centered in that city.

 

So far there seems to have been little risk from this treatment; however,

pregnant women must be warned that bitter melon extracts can induce abortion.

Not everybody finds that this treatment works; some have reported that it did

not seem to help. And if it does work, it may take four to six months for clear

benefit to be seen.

 

Bitter melon is traditionally prepared for medicinal use as a tea for drinking.

But most of the people trying it for AIDS are using it by retention enema,

because of concern that some ingredients might be destroyed in the stomach.

 

A report about bitter melon, including instructions for obtaining and using it,

is being prepared by an AIDS support organization. To obtain a copy, send a

self-addressed envelope to: AIDS Intervention Team of APLG, 300 West Sunset

Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90012. (Note: Persons outside North America

should include two international postal reply coupons, if possible, with their

request for this report.)

 

http://www.aegis.com/pubs/atn/1992/ATN15501.

 

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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject: James A. Duke: Immune Boosters

Beneficial for HIV

 

 

I believe that Dr. Dukes is the best in the field of alternative medicine in

regards to the efficacy of botanical herbs for HIV.

He was formerly the head of the botanicals division of the USDA in Washington.

Evidently there is a lot that you can do naturally for your body when attempting

to fight off HIV>

 

Dr. Duke says we should use the proven immune boosters, Echinacea, Astragalus,

and licorice (natural licorice which can be obtained in most local health food

stores).

 

The other herbs such as Oregano, Aloe Vera, Black-eyed Susan

(from the health food store),

Blessed Thistle, Burdock, Garlic,

Hyssop for blood cleanse,

Onion, Pear and Elderberry (to fight infection),

Evening Primrose oil,

Legume nodules, Iceland Moss and

assorted vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C with bioflavonoids.

 

Legume Nodules are the little capsules scattered along the roots

of most legumes. Legume nodules are the best source of a compound

called " heme iron " .

Studies show that " heme " boosts the anti-HIV activitiy of AZT.

 

Dr Duke says, " I have never seen legume nodules for sale, but grow a lot of

beans and I have uprooted them and taken the nodules

like capsules " .

 

Vitamins C and E, the vitamin A like nutrients, beta carotene and

lycopene and the mineral selenium is excellent for HIV.

 

Selenium is plentiful in Brazil nuts, and the others can be found in many

organic fruits, vegetablees, nuts and whole grains.

 

If I had HIV I would definitely consult a clinical

nutritionist.

 

This information is taken from,

" The Green Pharmacy " by James A. Dukes.

 

 

P.S. Personally, I would use AIM Barleygreen/ Barleylife supplements If I had

HIV. The SOD in Japanese Barleygreen with kelp is proven to have the best

antioxidant content which is wonderful for building up our immune defenses and

aid in fighting cancer, HIV and other serious diseases.

 

This green drink has been used effectively by those combatting cancer...many

times reversing the illness and providing true healing benefit.

There is a herbal blend, " Essiac " made by the Canadian company Flora which

provides health benefits for the immune system as well.

www.florainc.com

 

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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:34 pm Post subject: Manto still into garlic

 

Manto still into garlic

09/02/2004 16:27 - (SA)

 

 

Manto: ARVs not for everyone

DA: Manto's claims speculation

 

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Aids_Focus/0,,2-7-659_1481115,00.html

 

Cape Town - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Monday defended a diet

of garlic, lemon, onion and olive oil for HIV/Aids sufferers, saying it was

important not to ridicule traditional medicine.

 

Tshabalala-Msimang told journalists at a briefing in Cape Town that onions,

lemons and olive oil were vital ingredients for a diet for Aids sufferers.

 

" Garlic is absolutely critical, " she said. " We need to do research on it. We

cannot just ridicule it. "

 

" Lemon is absolutely critical. If you don't wash the skin there is selenium

which the human body needs. Olive oil, although it is expensive is also

important, " the minister said.

 

Research into traditional medicines

 

Tshabalala-Msimang said her ministry was working with South Africa's Medical

Research Council to research traditional medicines.

 

" You can say what you like about traditional medicines, but people are still

using them. It is up to us as the department of health to make sure traditional

medicine is administered properly, " she said.

 

The UN's Aids agency estimates that South Africa had 5.3 million people infected

with HIV and Aids at the end of 2002 - the highest number in the world.

 

A leading local medical journal in November slated the minister's diet, saying

that there was no convincing evidence that any of the foods proposed by

Tshabalala-Msimang would change the way people were affected by the illness.

 

In November, cabinet approved the outline of a plan to provide potentially

life-saving anti-retroviral drugs for those infected with HIV/Aids, after

several court battles between the government and Aids lobby groups.

 

The Treatment Action Campaign has expressed concern about the lack of progress

in implementing it.

 

Tshabalala-Msimang said the treatment plan was not just about antiretrovirals.

 

" Managing Aids is very complex. For instance, of South Africa's 20 000 doctors,

only 2 000 are actually able to manage HIV and Aids properly in this country, "

she said.

 

Edited by Elmarie Jack

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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject: Beta Carotene and Selenium

 

Nutrients and HIV: Part One - Beta Carotene and Selenium

This section is maintained by Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Send all comments or additions to: Frankp

 

 

 

http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTRACTS/Nutrients_and_HIV_1.shtml

 

FROM: Alternative Medicine Review 1999 (Dec); 4 (6): 403–413 ~ FULL TEXT

 

Lyn Patrick, ND

 

Introduction

 

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 Activation of latent HIV state can be

stimulated in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the

stimulation of oxygen-responsive transcription factors, specifically NF-kB,

which induces HIV replication in the infected T-lymphocyte. The number of

reactive oxygen species can be reduced by restoring proper redox balance through

adequate availability of antioxidants.

 

Micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV, both in early and late stages of

the disease. Tomaka4 found in 129 patients with stratified T-cell counts all

cohorts had similar prevalences of nutrient deficiencies. Among the three

subgroups (CD4>500, CD4 200-500, CD4<200), each had similar occurrence of

deficiencies: 38, 41, and 42 percent, respectively. Beta carotene and selenium

figure prominently in these deficiency pictures. Their role as antioxidants

provides a logical explanation for the widespread deficiencies of these

nutrients seen in HIV and their therapeutic relevance.

 

 

Beta Carotene in HIV/AIDS

 

Beta Carotene Deficiency

 

Beta carotene, a fat-soluble antioxidant, is a well-known scavenger of the

singlet oxygen radical5 and can decrease free-radical induced lipoperoxidation

damage in HIV.6

 

Deficiencies of serum and plasma beta carotene and other carotenoids (including

lutein and lycopene) have been observed in multiple studies in both HIV-positive

and AIDS patients.4,7,8 Depression of serum beta carotene levels is usually

indicative of fat malabsorption and diarrhea, common complications of AIDS,

secondary to general malabsorption, infection, and altered gut barrier

function.9 While pancreatic function appears to be normal in HIV/AIDS,10

enterocyte function and villous atrophy occur even without intestinal

infection.11 Ullrich,7 in a cohort of 116 HIV-infected individuals, found serum

carotene concentration did not differ significantly between AIDS-diagnosed

individuals who had diarrhea and those who did not: 77 percent of both groups

had abnormally low carotene levels. In addition, serum carotene levels did not

differ between HIV/AIDS patients with or without the presence of infectious

agents in the stool or on intestinal biopsy: 76-percent infected and 77-percent

noninfected individuals had abnormal serum carotene levels. The presence or

absence of weight loss, fever, or secondary extra-intestinal infection did not

correlate with alterations in serum carotene level. See Table 1.

 

In this study, CD4 percentages (r=0.364; 95% CI, 0.194-0.513; p<0.001), CD4

count (r=0.28; 95% CI, 0.101-0.441; p=0.0013) and the CD4/CD8 ratio (r=0.38; 95%

CI, 0.212-0.526; P<0.001), (but not leukocyte, lymphocyte, or CD8 counts) in

peripheral blood correlated with serum carotene levels.

 

Favier et al6 examined a cohort of 25 asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive subjects

in CDC stage II (mean CD4 396/mm3) and 18 HIV-1 seropositive subjects in CDC

stage IV (mean CD4 56/mm3) and followed changes in their antioxidant status for

six months. They found severe deficiencies of plasma carotenoids and beta

carotene in both groups, and a significantly more rapid fall in the level of

beta carotene in the CDC II group than the CDC IV group. The authors related

this difference to increased levels of peroxidation in CDC stage II patients.

Their malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroperoxide levels were significantly higher

(P<0.05) than in those subjects who had more advanced disease (CDC stage IV).

They concluded the reduction in carotene levels was the result of increased

antioxidant activity at this stage of HIV infection due to overproduction of

oxygen radicals by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in CDC stage II. See Table 2.

 

Whether carotene depletion is due to malabsorption or increased free radical

load or both, it appears to be consistently deficient in HIV-positive subjects.

Omene12 measured beta carotene levels in 15 African-American and Hispanic

children. Those with HIV had 6.5 times lower levels of serum beta carotene than

age-matched HIV-negative controls; the children with AIDS had a 13-fold lower

level than HIV-negative controls. There were no significant differences in the

levels of serum vitamin A or E in any of the groups. Periquet et al13 looked at

21 HIV-1 positive children and found deficiencies of plasma levels of both

lycopene (p=0.002) and retinol (p=0.023) but not beta carotene in the

AIDS-diagnosed children (n=10).

 

Serum beta carotene and vitamin A levels were measured in 74 pregnant HIV-1

positive women in the first trimester and compared to pregnant HIV-negative

women, also in the first trimester.14 HIV-infected women with CD4 counts below

200 had 37-percent lower mean serum vitamin A and beta carotene levels when

compared to controls (p<0.001).

 

Both serum beta carotene and vitamin A levels correlated with percentage of CD4

lymphocytes, CD4 counts, and CD4/CD8 ratios (p<0.001). Lacey8 found a

significant depletion of plasma carotenoids in 35 HIV-positive individuals

compared to controls (p<0.001).

 

Plasma levels of four of the individual carotenoids were correlated with CD4

count, but beta carotene, and vitamins A, C, and E were not.

 

An evaluation of nutrient supplementation in 64 HIV-1 infected adults15 revealed

that even though 63-73 percent claimed they were taking some form of

multi-vitamin, plasma levels of total carotenoids were still lower than the

HIV-negative controls (p=0.009). Lower CD4/CD8 ratios were correlated with lower

carotene levels (p=0.02).

 

Although the patients in this study who were taking antioxidant supplements had

consistently fewer low concentrations of antioxidants no matter what their

disease stage status (p=0.0006), 29 percent still had subnormal levels of one or

more antioxidant.

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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject: HYSSOP and hiv benefits

 

HYSSOP

hyssop and hiv hyssop benefits

 

http://www.raysahelian.com/hyssop.html

 

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) has been cultivated in Central Europe for a long

time. Hyssop serves not only as spice but in many countries including Hungary,

but is used as a folk medicine against certain respiratory diseases. Hyssop

contains rosmarinic and caffeic acids along with pinanones, beta-pinene,

limonene, pinocamphone, isopinocamphone.

Essential oils of sage, mint, hyssop have generally a bacteriostatic activity.

 

Crude extracts of dried leaves of Hyssop contain strong anti-viral and

anti-HIV-1 activity.

 

Hyssop Caution

Very high doses of hyssop have been found to have convulsant properties, perhaps

due to its content of terpene ketones pinocamphone and isopinocamphone.

 

Latest Research on Supplements and Natural Medicine

Over 300 listings -- by Ray Sahelian, M.D

 

=============================================================================

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:41 pm

Post subject: AIDS: THE SELENO-ENZYME SOLUTION

 

AIDS is a consequence of HIV infection which causes deficiencies of the enzyme

glutathione peroxidase and its four components, yet this syndrome and viral

activity can be reversed with dietary supplementation.

Part 2 of 2

 

-----http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/aids.selenium2.html

---------

 

Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 11, Number 2 (February-March 2004)

PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor

Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381

From our web page at: www.nexusmagazine.com

 

by Harold D. Foster, PhD © 2003

Professor, Department of Geography

University of Victoria

PO Box 3050

Victoria, BC, V8W 3P5, Canada

Email: hfoster

Website: http://www.hdfoster.com

 

 

--

 

COROLLARY ONE: Deficiencies of Glutathione Peroxidase and its Components in

HIV/AIDS

There is strong evidence to show that HIV-seropositive individuals are deficient

in glutathione peroxidase. Gil and colleagues,54 for example, compared levels of

it in the blood of 85 HIV/AIDS patients with those in 40 healthy controls,

confirming the presence of a significant (p<0.05) reduction of the selenoenzyme

in the infected group. Beyond this, Batterham and co-workers55 showed that such

depressed glutathione peroxidase levels in men with HIV/AIDS could be raised by

supplementation with selenium and other antioxidants.

 

If Aumann and co-workers56 are correct, then HIV/AIDS patients should also be

very deficient in the four nutritional components that these researchers believe

are required by the body to produce glutathione peroxidase—namely, selenium,

cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan. There is certainly good evidence to prove

that such individuals are selenium deficient.

 

Several studies have documented declining plasma selenium levels in patients

with HIV/AIDS. Probably the most convincing of these was conducted by Baum and

co-workers57 in Florida. These researchers monitored 125 HIV-1–seropositive male

and female drug users in Miami over a period of 3.5 years. This study collected

data on CD4 T-cell count, antiretroviral treatment and plasma levels of vitamins

A, E, B6 and B12 as well as selenium and zinc. A total of 21 of these patients

died during the study. Only plasma selenium levels and CD4 T-cell counts could

have been used to predict which of the 125 patients would die, with selenium

levels being more accurate predictors than CD4 T-cell counts. The same research

group also monitored 24 HIV-infected children over a five-year period, during

which time half of them died of AIDS. As with adults, the lower their serum

selenium levels, the faster that death occurred.

 

It also appears as if the selenium deficiency seen in HIV/AIDS patients, as

expected, makes them more susceptible to Coxsackievirus infection. As a

consequence, myocardial infarctions are quite common even in relatively young

people who are HIV seropositive.59 In addition, autopsies often reveal that AIDS

patients60, 61 have been suffering from, and perhaps have died of, Keshan

disease—an endemic heart disease normally limited to the populations of regions

of extreme selenium deficiency.

 

HIV/AIDS patients also display low plasma levels of cysteine at every stage of

infection.62 Since this amino acid is one of the body's major sources of

sulphur, they are very deficient in it.63 Interestingly, depressed cysteine is

also characteristic of SIV-infected rhesus macaques.

Several researchers have documented glutamine deficiencies in HIV/AIDS

patients.65–67 Shabert and colleagues, for example, discovered that much of the

weight loss seen in individuals could be reversed by glutamine–antioxidant

supplementation.

 

If HIV is producing glutathione peroxidase for its own purposes and if this

selenoenzyme contains tryptophan, then HIV/AIDS patients should be deficient in

this amino acid. This appears to be the case. Werner and co-workers,68 for

example, have shown that, in male patients with advanced HIV infection,

tryptophan serum levels are less than half of those found in matched healthy

controls. Since tryptophan is required for the biosynthesis of both serotonin

and niacin, it is not surprising that their levels are also depressed in

patients with HIV/AIDS.69, 70

It is clear from the literature just cited that HIV/AIDS patients are indeed

very deficient in glutathione peroxidase and in the four components of this

selenoenzyme—namely, selenium, cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan. In short, the

clinical and scientific evidence supports the truth of corollary one.

 

 

COROLLARY TWO: Effective Treatment for HIV/AIDS Should Involve Correcting

Deficiencies of Glutathione Peroxidase and its Nutritional Precursors

There is a wealth of evidence that correcting one or more of the deficiencies of

selenium, cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan, which are characteristic of

HIV/AIDS, has significant health benefits. Selenium, for example, is a key

immunological enhancement agent that has a strong impact on lymphocyte

proliferation.

 

This relationship was confirmed by Peretz and co-workers,71 who monitored

enhanced lymphocyte response in elderly subjects given a daily 100-microgram

selenium supplement over a six-month clinical trial. This seems to be because

selenium is essential for lymphocytes—as shown by Porter and colleagues,72 who

demonstrated that plasma proteins carry selenium to lymphocytes which absorb it.

Further, Wang and co-workers73 have demonstrated that selenium enhances

lectin-stimulated T-lymphocyte proliferation and is an important modulator for

immune response. It is not surprising, therefore, that HIV/AIDS patients with

depressed plasma selenium also show T-lymphocyte abnormalities.74

 

There have been numerous clinical trials to explore the impact of cysteine

supplementation (usually given as N–acetylcysteine) on HIV/AIDS symptoms. De

Rosa and co-workers76 at Stanford University, for example, have shown that the

oral administration of N–acetylcysteine significantly replenished glutathione in

HIV-infected individuals. This is very significant, since subsequent research

has established that glutathione levels in HIV-positive patients is a predictor

of survival rates.77

 

As previously mentioned, cysteine is a significant source of sulphur and

HIV/AIDS patients are very deficient in this element. A trial carried out in

Germany by Breitkreutz and colleagues77 showed that N–acetylcysteine

supplementation helped to correct this sulphur deficiency while simultaneously

improving immunological functions in HIV/AIDS patients.

 

Glutamine is a major requirement of cells which are rapidly proliferating. As a

result there is a significant requirement for it in the digestive tract, where

it is essential for intestinal cell proliferation, intestinal fluid/electrolyte

absorption and mitogenic response to growth factors. Since glutamine deficiency

is so characteristic of HIV/AIDS, it is not surprising that patients typically

suffer badly from digestive malfunction and diarrhoea. It has been demonstrated

by Noyer and co-workers,78 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, that

glutamine therapy improves intestinal permeability in AIDS patients, although

the amount required to enhance intestinal absorption may be as much as 20 grams

per day.

Glutamine is also essential for muscle building; in HIV/AIDS patients,

deficiencies of it seem linked to loss of body cell mass. Shabert and his

colleagues79 have demonstrated that glutamine and antioxidant supplements can

reverse the weight loss typically seen in such patients, while Kohler and

co-workers80 also have shown that glycyl-glutamine improves lymphocyte

proliferation in AIDS patients.

 

I am not aware of any clinical trials conducted to test the impact of tryptophan

supplementation on HIV/AIDS. However, it is interesting to note that

antiretroviral drug therapy, designed to prevent HIV-1 replication, slows the

rate of tryptophan loss seen in seropositive individuals.81 Similarly, plasma

tryptophan levels can be increased in HIV-infected patients by nicotinamide

supplements.82 This is perhaps not surprising, given the close chemical

association between this nutrient and the tryptophan derivative, niacin.

 

Simply put, there is a great deal of evidence that HIV/AIDS patients are

typically deficient in glutathione peroxidase and its precursors—selenium,

cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan. Beyond this, it is clear from clinical

trials that survival rates and patients' symptoms are improved by

supplementation with such nutrients.

Indeed, one might go so far as to say it would be medical malpractice not to

give these nutrients to those who are HIV seropositive.

 

COROLLARY THREE: Reversing Deficiencies of the Precursors of Glutathione

Peroxidase Should Reverse the Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

The hypothesis presented here suggests that HIV/AIDS is a disease that is caused

by the combined deficiencies of glutathione peroxidase and its precursors. If

this is correct, then the symptoms normally associated with a deficiency of each

one of these substances ought to occur in AIDS patients. There is a wealth of

evidence that suggests this is the case.

 

Baum and co-workers83 have shown that adults and children dying of AIDS display

both depressed CD4 T-lymphocyte counts and very depleted plasma selenium stores.

This seems to be part of a positive feedback system, since one of the most

significant symptoms of selenium deficiency is a reduction of CD4 T-lymphocytes,

which occurs because this trace element is needed for their production. A

lowering of CD4 T-lymphocyte levels causes a drop in the efficiency of the

immune system, encouraging infection by other pathogens and resulting in a

further decline in selenium. I have termed this positive feedback system the

selenium CD4 T-cell tailspin.84

 

HIV/AIDS patients also often display a hypothyroid or low T3 (tri-iodothyronine)

syndrome.85 This seems to occur because selenium deficiency causes a reduction

in deiodinase, the enzyme required to convert T4 (thyroxine) to T3. It has been

further suggested that such a selenium deficiency abnormality of the thyroid may

be a significant factor in the AIDS wasting process.86

 

Selenium deficiency has been linked to depression in the general population.87,

88 It is not surprising, therefore, that this is also a characteristic of people

with HIV/AIDS.

It would appear, therefore, that at least three of the major symptoms of

HIV/AIDS—namely, depressed CD4 T-lymphocyte count, lowered tri-iodothyronine

production and depression—can be explained, at least in part, by the inadequate

selenium levels seen in such patients.

 

In 1981, Bunk and Combs89 described an experiment demonstrating that, in

chickens, selenium deficiency impaired the conversion of the S–amino acid

methionine into cysteine. It is highly likely that this is true for humans. If

it is, then, by encoding for the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase, HIV-1

causes a deficiency of cysteine in infected individuals in two distinct ways.

Firstly, the virus removes cysteine directly from the body as it replicates.

Secondly, it creates a selenium deficiency which impairs the conversion of

methionine to cysteine, so reducing the availability of the latter. Simply put,

HIV-1 both increases the demand for and reduces the supply of cysteine in

patients who are HIV-1 positive. Cysteine deficiency, in and of itself, has been

shown to be associated with depressed glutathione, poor wound and skin healing,

psoriasis, abnormal immune function and greater susceptibility to secondary

infections and cancers.90 All these characteristics of cysteine deficiency

are seen in HIV/AIDS patients.

 

Glutamine is a major nutrient required by rapidly proliferating cells and is of

particular significance in the digestive tract. Deficiencies cause abnormal

intestine permeability and digestive malfunction, often associated with

diarrhoea.91 Glutamine is also a favourite with body-builders, who use it in

large quantities to promote muscle growth. It is not surprising that muscle

protein wasting, therefore, is a symptom of glutamine inadequacy. Both diarrhoea

and muscle wasting are characteristics of HIV/AIDS.92

 

Tryptophan deficiencies, in and of themselves, have led to major health problems

in the past. Probably the worst of these was pellagra, which developed in

children eating diets high in corn. Maize is very deficient in tryptophan and so

such children quickly developed pellagra, which is thought to be due to a

co-deficiency of both tryptophan and its metabolite, niacin.93 As a consequence

of these two deficiencies, such individuals could not produce adequate

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and so developed pellagra. The symptoms of

this disease were known as " the four Ds " —namely, dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia

and, ultimately, if not treated effectively, death.94 AIDS patients commonly

experience all such symptoms and also display inadequate levels of nicotinamide

adenine dinucleotide. This can be reversed, at least in vitro, by the

administration of nicotinamide.95

 

It would appear, therefore, that corollary three is correct and that the great

majority of the symptoms of HIV/AIDS (with the exception of those caused by

opportunistic pathogens) are a combination of symptoms seen in individuals who

are extremely deficient in glutathione peroxidase or in one or more of its

precursors.

 

COROLLARY FOUR: HIV-1 Seropositive Individuals Who Eat a Diet Elevated in

Selenium, Cysteine, Glutamine and Tryptophan Should Never Develop AIDS

Obviously, the easiest way to test the truth or otherwise of this fourth

corollary would be to arrange for a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

in which half the HIV/AIDS patients are given injections of glutathione

peroxidase and supplements of selenium, cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan.

Unfortunately, geographers are not expected to develop new disease-related

hypotheses that have the potential for undermining genetic, biochemical and

clinical authority. As a result, I have been attempting to gain support for

testing this concept for more than two years. Given the enormous power of the

pharmaceutical industry and its lack of interest in the discovery of a cheap and

simple treatment for HIV/AIDS, it has not been an easy row to hoe. To date, all

I can point to are two AIDS patients who quickly reversed their major symptoms

when attempting to follow my suggested regime.96 Beyond this, there are research

teams in South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Morocco who have contacted me to

express a willingness to conduct such trials, should funding ever become

available.

 

CONCLUSIONS

Death from AIDS is a consequence of four nutritional deficiencies. Fortunately,

HIV infection does not need to be a death sentence because such deficiencies are

cheap and easy to reverse. And while the four nutrients won't eradicate HIV,

they activate the virus's own " warning system " , preventing its replication.

The genetic code of HIV includes a homologue for the essential human

selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase. Paradoxically, this viral requirement for

selenium generally appears to restrict infection to individuals who, because of

a diet deficient in selenium or because of prior infection by other

selenium-encoding pathogens, are deficient in this trace element.

Unfortunately, the human population is becoming ever more susceptible to

infection by HIV-1 (and HIV-2 to a lesser extent) as well as other

selenoenzyme-encoding viruses because of acid rain, which reduces the

bioavailability of selenium.

To be replicated, HIV must compete with its host for glutathione peroxidase and

its four constituent nutrients—selenium, cysteine, glutamine and tryptophan. As

a consequence, replication of the virus gradually depletes seropositive

individuals of these substances. AIDS is the end product of these nutritional

declines, and most of its symptoms are caused by them. As a consequence, it is

likely that AIDS can be easily reversed by correcting such deficiencies.

To illustrate, glutathione peroxidase is one of the body's most significant

antioxidants. A lack of this selenoenzyme therefore accelerates free radical

damage and oxidative stress. Beyond this, having inadequate selenium and

cysteine undermines the immune system in a process that is accelerated by other

infectious pathogens. A deficiency of glutamine encourages muscle wasting and

digestive malfunction, while a lack of tryptophan and the compounds it

biosynthesises (such as niacin and serotonin) results in dermatitis, diarrhoea

and various neurologic and psychiatric symptoms including dementia.

Supplementation with the appropriate nutrients naturally reverses these

symptoms.

It is ironic, but not really surprising, that our continuous destruction of the

global ecosystem is promoting the spread of viral infections (and various

chronic degenerative diseases) that threaten humanity's domination of the

planet.

 

 

POSTSCRIPT (as at early January 2004)

Since I submitted this article for publication, I have learned of a small AIDS

trial that is taking place in Botswana.97 The trial is funded by a Canadian

vitamin company and is using the nutrient regimen suggested in my book. Here is

a quotation from the initial email report that I received in late September:

" I picked two candidates personally who have fully blown AIDS with relevant

symptoms like diarrhoea, skin rash, loss of weight and a lack of appetite. One

of these candidates has a severe complication of syphilis which has slowed his

recovery somewhat, but still, within two weeks of trials, his skin rash,

diarrhoea and fatigue have all but disappeared. The lady candidate gained 3 kg

in two weeks and now eats 'like a horse'. She resumed work last Tuesday after

several weeks of absence. I am gaining confidence in this treatment by the day

and I hope the same would apply to the remainder of the trial candidates…

" A lady who started the regimen three weeks back has just tested negative for

HIV, and her CD4 count has shot up from 500 to 700! " (It's unknown if this is

the same lady who ate " like a horse " !)

In the meantime, I have set up a small company, HD Foster Research Inc., which

is having the nutrients made up into a product called HELP. We are giving this

away to doctors who treat AIDS patients. The first taker is a physician in South

Africa, and I have mailed him enough treatment for 10 patients. The idea is to

find medical supporters who can vouch that the treatment works. Beyond this, the

small Canadian company that is using my treatment in Botswana (anecdotal

evidence suggests a 99% success rate in reversing AIDS) has spread its

activities into Zambia.

We have decided to produce a video in which I describe my theory of HIV/AIDS,

and which also shows patients recovering. We are looking for financial and other

assistance to do this. The idea is to give this away to TV stations in Africa

and elsewhere.

Recently I checked the progress of the two Victoria, BC, patients mentioned in

my book, who were dying of AIDS in 2001. They are now both in good health and

are back at work.

I have also had two more HIV/AIDS papers published in Chinese in the proceedings

of two different medical conferences held in Shanghai in November 2003. Two

additional papers have been accepted for publication in Chinese medical

journals. On 17 March I am scheduled to give a lecture on AIDS at the Centennial

AGM of the Association of American Geographers in Philadelphia.

Things are moving along. Hopefully, the world will soon know that the treatment

does indeed work. #8734;

 

 

 

Author's Note:

Readers wanting more detailed information about the HIV/AIDS environmental link

are directed to the website http://www.hdfoster.com, where they can download a

free copy of the book, What Really Causes AIDS.

 

 

 

About the Author:

Harold D. Foster, PhD, was born and educated in England. He specialised in

geology and geography, earning a BSc in 1964 from University College London and

a PhD in 1968 from London University. He is a Canadian by choice, and has been a

faculty member in the Department of Geography, University of Victoria, British

Columbia, Canada, since 1967.

 

A tenured professor, Dr Foster has authored or edited some 235 publications, the

majority of which focus on reducing disaster losses or identifying the causes of

chronic disease or longevity. He has published hypotheses on the origins of

numerous diseases including myocardial infarction, SIDS, cancer, diabetes,

schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and stroke.

 

His numerous books include: Disaster Planning: The Preservation of Life and

Property (Springer Verlag, New York, 1980); Reducing Cancer Mortality: A

Geographical Perspective (Western Geographical Press, Victoria, 1986); The

Ozymandias Principles: Thirty-one Strategies for Surviving Change (Southdowne

Press, Victoria, 1997); and What Really Causes AIDS (Trafford Publishing,

Victoria, 2002; see review in NEXUS 10/05). His new book, What Really Causes

Schizophrenia, is to be published by Trafford in late 2003.

 

Harold Foster is a member of the Explorers Club as well as several academic

organisations including The New York Academy of Sciences, The Royal Geographical

Society and The Royal Society of Literature. He is also the editor of both the

International and Canadian Western Geographical Series and is a member of the

boards of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine and the International

Schizophrenia Foundation.

 

He has been a consultant to numerous organisations, including the United Nations

and NATO, and to the governments of Canada, Ontario and British Columbia. He is

also a member of the Science Advisory Panel for the Healthy Water Association.

 

Every day, Dr Foster makes a point of taking at least the recommended daily

allowance of the known essential nutrients. He is also currently pursuing offers

for his suggested nutrient mixture to be produced for use in clinical trials

with AIDS patients. For a more detailed résumé, visit the website

http://www.hdfoster.com.

 

 

 

Endnotes

54. Gil, L. and others, " Contribution to characterization of oxidative stress in

HIV/AIDS patients " , Pharmacol Res 2003; 47(3):217-224.

55. Batterham, M. and others, " A preliminary open label dose comparison using an

antioxidant regimen to determine the effect on viral load and oxidative stress

in men with HIV/AIDS " , Eur J Clin Nutr 2001; 55(2):107-114.

56. Aumann, K.D. and others, " Glutathione peroxidase revisited – simulation of

the catalytic cycle by computer-assisted molecular modelling " , Biomed Environ

Sci 1997; 10(2-3):136-155.

57. Baum, M.K. and others, " High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated

with selenium deficiency, J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1997;

15(5):370-374.

58. Campa, A. and others, " Mortality risk in selenium deficient HIV-positive

children " , J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1999; 20(5):508-513.

59. Law, M. and others, " Modelling the 3-year risk of myocardial infarction

among participants in the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drug

(DAD) study " , HIV Med 2003; 4(1):1-10.

60. Dworkin, B.M., " Selenium deficiency in HIV infection and the acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) " , Chem Biol Interact 1994; 91(2-3):181-186.

61. Dworkin, B.M. and others, " Reduced cardiac selenium content in the acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome " , J Parenter Enteral Nutr (JPEN) 1989; 13(6):644-647.

62. Droge, W. and others, " Functions of glutathione and glutathione disulfide in

immunology and immunopathology " , FASEB J 1994; 8:1131-1138.

63. Breitkreutz, R. and others, " Improvement of immune functions in HIV

infection by sulfur supplementation: two randomized trials " , J Mol Med 2000;

78(1):55-62.

64. Droge, W. and others, " HIV-induced cysteine deficiency and T-cell

dysfunction – a rationale for treatment with N–acetylcysteine " , Immunol Today

1992; 13(6):211-214.

65. Shabert, J.K. and others, " Glutamine-antioxidant supplementation increases

body cell mass in AIDS patients with weight loss: a randomized double-blind

controlled trial " , Nutrition 1999; 15(11/12):860-864.

66. Noyer, C.M. and others, " A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of

glutamine therapy for abnormal intestinal permeability in patients with AIDS " ,

Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93(6):972-975.

67. Kohler, H. and others, " Glycyl-glutamine improves in vitro lymphocyte

proliferation in AIDS patients " , Eur J Med Res 2000; 5(6):263-267.

68. Werner, E.R. and others, " Tryptophan degradation in patients infected by

human immunodeficiency virus " , Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler 1988; 369(5):337-340.

69. Murray, M.F, " Niacin as a potential AIDS preventative factor " , Med

Hypotheses 1999; 53(5):375-379.

70. Sidibe, S. and others, " Effects of serotonin and melanin on in vitro HIV-1

infection " , J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 1996; 10(1):19-24.

71. Peretz, A. and others, " Lymphocyte response is enhanced by supplementation

of elderly subjects with selenium-enriched yeast " , Am J Clin Nutr 1991;

53(5):1323-1328.

72. Porter, E.K. and others, " Uptake of selenium-75 by human lymphocytes in

vitro " , J Nutr 1979; 109(11):1901-1908.

73. Wang, R.D. and others, " Investigation of the effect of selenium on

T-lymphocyte proliferation and its mechanisms " , J Tongji Med Univ 1992;

12(1):33-38.

74. Baum, M.K. and others, " High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated

with selenium deficiency " , J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1997;

15(5):370-374.

75. De Rosa, S.C. and others, " N–acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione in HIV

infection " , Eur J Clin Invest 2000; 30(10):915-929.

76. James, J.S., " NAC: First Controlled Trial, Positive Results " , AIDS Treatment

News 1996; 250:1-3, posted at http://www.aids.org/immunet/atn.nsf/

page/ZQX25002.html.

77. Breitkreutz, R., " Improvement of immune functions in HIV infection by sulfur

supplementation: two randomized trials " , J Mol Med 2000; 78(1):55-62.

78. Noyer, C.M. and others, " A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of

glutamine therapy for abnormal intestinal permeability in patients with AIDS " ,

Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93(6):972-975.

79. Shabert, J.K. and others, " Glutamine-antioxidant supplementation increases

body cell mass in AIDS patients with weight loss: a randomized double-blind

controlled trial " , Nutrition 1999; 15(11/12):860-864.

80. Kohler, H. and others, op. cit.

81. Zangerle, R. and others, " Effective antiretroviral therapy reduces

degradation of tryptophan in patients with HIV-1 infection " , Clin Immunol 2002;

104(3):242-247.

82. Murray, M.F. and others, " Increased plasma tryptophan in HIV-infected

patients treated with pharmacologic doses of nicotinamide " , Nutrition 2001;

17(7-:654-656.

83. Baum, M.K., op. cit.

84. Foster, H.D., " AIDS and the 'selenium-CDR T cell tailspin': The geography of

a pandemic " , Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 2000; 209:94-99.

85. Bourdoux, P.P. and others, " Biochemical thyroid profile in patients infected

with the human immunodeficiency virus " , Thyroid 1991; 1:149.

86. Geelhoed-Duijvestijn, P.H. and others, " Effect of administration of growth

hormone on plasma and intracellular levels of thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine in

thyroidectomized thyroxine-treated rats " , J Endrocrin 1992; 133:45-49.

87. Hawkes, W.C. and others, " Effect of dietary selenium on mood in healthy men

living in a metabolic research unit " , Biol Psychiatry 1996; 39:121-128.

88. Finley, J.W. and others, " Adequacy or deprivation of dietary selenium in

healthy men: clinical and psychological findings " , J Trace Elem Exp Med 1998;

11:11-27.

89. Bunk, M.J. and others, " Evidence for an impairment in conversion of

methionine to cysteine in the Se-deficient chicken " , Proc Soc Ex Biol Med 1981;

167:87-93.

90. Braverman, E.R. (with C.C. Pfeiffer), The Healing Nutrients Within: Facts,

Findings and New Research on Amino Acids, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, 1987.

91. Rhoads, M., " Glutamine signalling in intestinal cells " , J Parenter Enteral

Nutr 1999; 23(5 Suppl):S38-40.

92. Ward, D.E., The AmFAR AIDS Handbook: the Complete Guide to Understanding HIV

and AIDS, W.W. Norton, New York, 1999.

93. Braverman, E.R., op. cit.

94. ibid.

95. Murray, M.F. and others, " HIV infection decreases intracellular nicotinamide

adenine dinucleotide (NAD) " , Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1995; 212(1):126-131.

96. Foster, H.D., 2000, op. cit.

===========================================================================

 

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:47 pm Post subject: Anti-HIV activity of olive

leaf extract (OLE)

 

i-HIV activity of olive leaf extract (OLE) and modulation of host

cell gene expression by HIV-1 infection and OLE treatment.

 

Lee-Huang S, Zhang L, Huang PL, Chang YT, Huang PL.

 

Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine,

New York, NY 10016, USA. Sylvia.lee-huang

 

We investigated the antiviral activity of olive leaf extract (OLE)

preparations standardized by liquid chromatography-coupled mass

spectrometry (LC-MS) against HIV-1 infection and replication. We

find that OLE inhibits acute infection and cell-to-cell transmission

of HIV-1 as assayed by syncytia formation using uninfected MT2 cells

co-cultured with HIV-1-infected H9 T lymphocytes. OLE also inhibits

HIV-1 replication as assayed by p24 expression in infected H9 cells.

These anti-HIV effects of OLE are dose dependent, with EC(50)s of

around 0.2 microg/ml. In the effective dose range, no cytotoxicity

on uninfected target cells was detected. The therapeutic index of

OLE is above 5000. To identify viral and host targets for OLE, we

characterized gene expression profiles associated with HIV-1

infection and OLE treatment using cDNA microarrays. HIV-1 infection

modulates the expression patterns of cellular genes involved in

apoptosis, stress, cytokine, protein kinase C, and hedgehog

signaling. HIV-1 infection up-regulates the expression of the heat-

shock proteins hsp27 and hsp90, the DNA damage inducible transcript

1 gadd45, the p53-binding protein mdm2, and the hedgehog signal

protein patched 1, while it down-regulates the expression of the

anti-apoptotic BCL2-associated X protein Bax. Treatment with OLE

reverses many of these HIV-1 infection-associated changes. Treatment

of HIV-1-infected cells with OLE also up-regulates the expression of

the apoptosis inhibitor proteins IAP1 and 2, as well as the calcium

and protein kinase C pathway signaling molecules IL-2, IL-2Ralpha,

and ornithine decarboxylase ODC1.

 

PMID: 12878215 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=12878215 & dopt=Abstract

_________________

 

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject: Pancreatic Enzyme Therapy

beneficial for HIV

 

 

Pancreatic enzymes have been shown to be beneficial in a variety of disease

conditions, including inflammation, viral disease, multiple sclerosis, and

cancer.

 

Further research into the benefits of pancreatic enzyme therapy is necessary as

it has been clinically proven to alleviate a wide range of conditions.

 

 

 

Inflammation: Inflammation is a response to noxious stimuli, and is a way the

body rids itself of harmful substances. The classical signs of inflammation are

pain, redness, swelling, and heat. Once inflammation takes place, however,

healing can begin. With sports injuries, enzymes are used to promote

inflammation in order to accelerate healing, and taking them before performing

athletics can promote faster healing if injury occurs.

 

Viral Diseases: Viruses have a protein coat, and enzymes are able to initiate

reactions that can digest this protective layer so that the viruses can be

destroyed. Enzymes also help in the removal of CIC's that are abundant in viral

disease. Research also indicates that enzymes are beneficial in the treatment of

herpes zoster (shingles), particularly in patients with immune deficiencies.10

And enzymes can in part counteract the decreased immune function of HIV (human

immunodeficiency virus) infection.11

 

Multiple Sclerosis: Although the cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, it has

been shown that demyelination (reduction of the fatty covering of the nerves)

occurs. Dr. Solorzano tells of a wheelchair-bound patient diagnosed with

multiple sclerosis for whom no traditional treatment had helped. Trying

pancreatic enzyme therapy, the patient gained strength and could dress himself

within one month. After three months, he could work with difficulty, and within

six months his symptoms disappeared and he was able to resume a normal,

productive life.

 

Cancer: Pancreatic enzymes can help in the treatment of cancer in several ways.

Enzymes help expose antigens on the surface of cancer cells, so they can be

recognized as foreign and destroyed by the immune system. They also help destroy

CIC's produced when cancerous cells shed their antigens into the circulation to

avoid detection by the immune system. Pancreatic enzymes can stimulate natural

killer cells, T-cells, and tumor necrosis factor (anticancer agents), all toxic

to cancer cells.12

 

According to Dr. Solorzano, by removing the " sticky " coating found on tumor

cells, enzymes reduce the risk of tumors adhering to other areas of the body

(i.e., preventing metastasis).13 And pancreatic enzymes can enter cancer cells

in their reproductive phase when they are not completely formed and more

susceptible to destruction. Vitamin A increases these effects, as it releases

enzymes contained in lysosomes (components of the intercellular digestive

system), and is often given in combination with pancreatic enzymes. In Germany,

pancreatic enzyme solutions have been injected directly into tumors, causing

them to dissolve.14

 

 

 

 

References

 

10. Jaeger, C. B.; et al. " Polymer Encapsulated Dopaminergic Cell Lines as

'Alternative Neural Grafts'. " Progress in Brain Research 82 (1990): 41-6.

 

11. Wolf, M.; and Ransberger, K. Enzyme Therapy. New York: Vantage Press, 1972.

 

12. Solorzano del Rio, H. E., M.D. Unpublished paper, 1992, 11.

 

13. Solorzano del Rio, H. E., M.D. Unpublished paper, 1992, 11.

 

14 . Wolf, M.; and Ransberger, K. Enzyme Therapy. New York: Vantage Press, 1972.

 

http://www.alternativemedicine.com/AMHome.asp?cn=Catalog & act=SearchProductXML & cr\

t=CategoryKey=42%26StartPage=1%26PageSize=908 & Style=/AMXSL/TherapyDetail.xsl

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html