Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc act as

Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc act as antioxidants, helping prevent cell damage caused by highly reactive free radicals (oxidative stress). While free radicals play a role in immune defense against invading pathogens, they can also harm surrounding cells. Research has shown that people with HIV and other chronic infections have higher levels of free radicals, which promote viral replication. Conversely, antioxidants appear to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit HIV activity, and possibly slow HIV disease progression. Antioxidants may also reduce liver fibrosis in people with hepatitis B or C and protect the liver from toxicity as it metabolizes drugs.

The body manufactures certain antioxidants as needed, but this process requires adequate amounts of several nutrients. Studies suggest that a major intracellular antioxidant, glutathione, may help reduce the rate of HIV disease progression. Nutrients that help raise glutathione levels include selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), acetyl-L-carnitine, L-glutamine, and coenzyme Q10. In one small study, high-dose NAC supplementation led to decreased HIV viral load. There have been several case reports and small studies in which supplementation with antioxidants or precursors including NAC, acetyl-L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 seemed to counter lactic acidosis (a sign of mitochondrial toxicity) related to antiretroviral therapy. What's more, Andrew Hart, MD, and colleagues from the Royal Free and University College Medical School reported in the July 23, 2004 issue of AIDS that acetyl-L-carnitine supplements helped reverse nerve damage and alleviated the pain of peripheral neuropathy associated with certain NRTI drugs.