Antiretroviral therapy has changed the face of HIV over the last decade and a half. Patient life expectancy has increased tremendously and we no longer associate many of the opportunistic infections as early-onset symptoms. Drug regimen pill burdens have also decreased for most, making adherence to protocols easier as well.
When changing protocols or adding in new therapies, however, sometimes side effects can interfere with quality of life and the likelihood that a patient will want to maintain the therapy. I have worked for almost 10 years with HIV-positive patients and have seen firsthand how natural therapies dramatically help manage side effects of medications, improve quality of life, protect the body from the chemical processing of the medications, and possibly prevent 'drug failure'. The following is a review of natural therapies for optimizing the benefits of antiretroviral drug treatment.
Immune Stimulation
The immune system helps us navigate safely in our environment and avoid over- and under-reacting to foreign substances. My first suggestion to boost immune function in people living with HIV is to identify and treat underlying food and environmental sensitivities and limit immune taxing behaviors. Stress and sugar consumption have been clinically shown to depress immune function. This is exactly what we don't want to have happen in people living with HIV. Many relaxation techniques exist to help us cope with life issues and lessen the physiological response in the body; yoga, meditation, exercise, support groups, counseling and prayer can all be helpful. Local resources exist to help you find the closest and best group for you. In the meantime, for a quick "stress break," I recommend the 4/8 Time-out. It's easy to do, free and can help diffuse a stressful moment in about a minute.
4/8 Time-Out
Start by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath.
Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four.
Exhale fully through your mouth for a count of eight.
Repeat until the stressful feeling passes, usually 3-4 cycles.
This technique can be modified for pain management. When inhaling, picture healing energy entering the nose; when exhaling, picture the pain and negativity releasing from the body and leaving.
Limiting sugar consumption to unrefined, natural forms and eating whole foods helps to improve immune function and promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Natural sugars exist in fruits and vegetables, honey (avoid unpasteurized), rice syrup and other sources. A non-caloric natural sweetener is the herb Stevia. It has a natural sweet flavor without artificial additives or calories.
Herbs and Nutrients for Immune Stimulation
Astragalus is a Chinese herb that has been used for centuries for its immuno-modulating qualities. There is mixed scientific evidence on its efficacy with HIV, but well documented studies on its ability to stimulate the immune system. Many patients use this synergistically with other immune boosters such as reishi, maitake and shitake mushrooms.
Glycerrhiza (Licorice) also has been used as a complementary immune modulator, although it should be avoided in people with hypertension. In my experience the immune modulators work much better when combined together rather than used as singular treatments. Licorice can be consumed as a tea daily and the mushrooms may be included in food preparation or taken in liquid tincture form for a more consistent higher dose.
Boxwood has been shown in research to foster immune stimulation and promotion of t-cell activation. This can be found in capsule form and taken as directed by a healthcare professional.
Echinacea has been documented to stimulate the chemicals that promote t-cell activation and antibody production. It is very effective in lessening the course of the common cold and respiratory infections when used short term. There are some conflicting studies on its use long term as well as a caution that it may briefly increase viral load. Clinically, I have no problem in its short-term use for respiratory infections -- but avoid long term use as well as use prior to viral load blood counts. During the acute onset of a cold, 2 to 4 cups of strong echinacea tea or 3 capsules 3 times daily can help limit the course of the illness.
Pau D'arco and Una de Gato (Cat's Claw) are also clinically used to stimulate immune function and may be consumed in tea form daily or liquid tincture either during acute illness or as a preventative measure.
Protecting Against Free-Radical Damage
As I sit in my New York apartment writing this article, free radical damage is occurring! This is part of the natural progression of aging, breathing and living but also can get sped up as a result of many medications and lifestyle choices. Free radicals are chemicals present in the body that increase the rate of cellular and tissue damage. Smoking, drug and alcohol use contribute to this as well as contact with environmental chemicals, pesticides and food additives.
For this reason I suggest water filtration, a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods, and purchasing organic products whenever possible. There are naturally occurring antioxidants present in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as berries, citrus, tomato and peppers. These are best consumed fresh or frozen, as much nutrition is lost in the canning process. A healthy diet and lifestyle with inclusion of some of the following nutrients will help guard against the inevitable damage of free-radicals and may slow progression of tissue damage. Dosages depend on patient health status and existing conditions.
