Other supplements for HIVa

Other supplements for HIV

This section covers some of the other supplements used by people with HIV. In some cases, the benefits of these supplements have been described in small human studies, animal studies and case reports. The therapeutic doses are not really known for HIV disease and recommendations given here are based on doses used for other conditions or in studies.

These and other supplements can be quite expensive and should not be seen as a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Before starting any new supplement, get information from a knowledgeable healthcare professional. And be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

Also, it is best to start only one new supplement at time, so you can be more aware of any side effects.

Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant made by the body that is used to regenerate glutathione (the major antioxidant in cells) as well as the activated form of vitamins C and E. It also plays an important role in energy production in the mitochondria. Lipoic acid is used to treat diabetic neuropathy (a nerve condition associated with diabetes) and liver disorders, and it may also have a role in slowing the hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis). The dose recommended for diabetic neuropathy is 100 mg 3 times per day; the dosage for HIV is unknown.

Carnitine (also known as L-carnitine) is a natural substance found in foods and made by the body. It works with the mitochondria to process fats and produce energy for the cells. It does this mainly by supplying the building blocks needed by the mitochondria to make an energy molecule called ATP, the basic fuel for cells. Most of the research suggests that carnitine has a protective effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems and the heart, probably because of its role in mitochondrial function. It may be helpful in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling or burning in the feet and sometimes hands), dementia and mitochondrial toxicity (see Chapter 5).