Immune System Supplement

What about a Immune System Supplement? As a rule, it's usually best to obtain nutrients from food. But even HIV positive people who eat well can have low levels of various important nutrients -- at a time when their nutrition needs to be increased -- and thus benefit from supplementation.

Supplementation in HIV/AIDS

Research on immune system supplement, instead of testing one nutrient per study, is based on the interdependence of the mammalian mitochondria on multiple nutrients for healthful functioning. Ascorbate (vitamin C), alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), alpha-lipoic acid, and glutathione (from N-acetyl cysteine) are dependent upon each other to replenish their lower valence, bio-active moieties subsequent to oxidation by free radicals. Supplementing only one of these nutrients does not make biochemical sense if the goal is to promote improved functioning of a dysfunctional Kreb's cycle and electron transport system.

2. Therapeutic Antioxidant Nutrients

The therapeutic supplementation of the antioxidant nutrients described below holds promise as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of HIV disease. As a class, these antioxidants enhance T and B lymphocyte proliferation, decrease the release of lactic acid into the bloodstream, and enhance mitochondrial energy production. These effects may also be beneficial for preventing cell apoptosis, which occurs secondary to the increased oxidative stress found in HIV infection (with or without nucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor therapy).

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In addition, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are known to inhibit mitochondrial gamma DNA-polymerase. The resultant depletion of mitochondrial DNA may contribute to a dysregulation of the cytochrome energy system of the electron transport chain. This functional uncoupling of oxidative metabolism creates a backup of acetyl Co-enzyme A, as well as lactic acid, both intracellularly and extracellularly. The release of these compounds into the blood leads to an increase in gluconeogenesis in the liver thereby producing increased serum insulin levels and concomitant hyperlipidemia.These physiologic effects may contribute to an increase in truncal fat accumulation in HIV-infected patients. This process is commonly described as HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

The acetyl moiety of the amino acid carnitine regulates fatty acid transport across the mitochondrial membrane. It also functions to provide this organelle with fuel which enhances its ability to produce energy under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic metabolism is more likely to occur if the electron transport chain is dysregulated due to a depletion of mitochondrial DNA. In prior studies, acetyl L-carnitine has been used successfully as a treatment for mitochondrial myopathy, a recognized side effect of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as zidovudine (AZT).

Frank acetyl L-carnitine deficiency has also been shown to be present in a significant percentage of HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. In small studies, immune system supplement with this nutrient alone has been successful in reversing the peripheral neuropathy seen in both diabetes mellitus and HIV disease.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant found primarily in the mitochondria. It acts as a coenzyme in the alpha-keto-dehydrogenase enzyme complex of the Kreb's cycle to facilitate aerobic respiration. It also functions as a potent free radical scavenger whose actions help to maintain healthful mitochondrial functioning. This immune system supplement also participates in the metabolic pathways which regenerate de novo levels of ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, and glutathione.

Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to directly block NF-kappa B activation, to directly inhibit HIV replication in cell cultures, and to successfully treat peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. In a small German study, this immune system supplement alpha-lipoic acid was shown to increase the number of CD4 cells and the CD4:CD8 ratio in HIV-infected patients.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

The acetyl moiety of the amino acid cysteine is the most bioavailable oral source of glutathione. Glutathione is a potent antioxidant and a key component of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme system. Glutathione deficiency has been associated with a poor prognosis in HIV disease.

There is also reason to believe that Tat, a protein produced by HIV, may be responsible for reducing glutathione levels in HIV-infected cells. There is additional evidence that nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (AZT,D4T,DDI, etc.) may directly decrease glutathione levels. These possible medication toxicities might be lessened by a restoration of glutathione levels to normal by the administration of NAC.

Studies published during the past five years by Stanford researchers Leonard and Leonore Herzenberg and their colleagues strongly suggest that 1) glutathione deficiency is common in HIV-infected patiente 2) glutathione deficiency in HIV-infected patients is associated with impaired T-cell function as well as impaired survival 3) N-acetyl cysteine administration taken in oral form replenishes glutathione levels in HIV-infected patients, and 4) N-acetyl cysteine administration in HIV-infected patients is significantly associated with improved 2-3 year survival in a Cox Proportional Hazards Analysis.

The literature contains many references which suggest that, for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, higher than normal intake of several key micronutrients (i.e. alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin B6, acetyl L-carnitine) have been effective in reversing the symptoms of this condition.

By utilizing immune system supplement dosages above the RDA, it may be possible to prevent, as well as therapeutically reverse, mild toxicities due to antiviral medication in a relatively brief period of time.