[pronut-hiv] Multivamin for the care of the mothers of HIV infants and children

["George M. Carter" <gmc0@ix.netcom.com>]

Multivamin for the care of the mothers of HIV
infants and children
George M Carter
?------------------------

Robert Mwadime wrote:
I have kept wondering why the issues of nutrition and HIV are not
considered as "EMERGENCY", in the real sense of the word. Here in Uganda, when we mobilized people to an emergency we went the way of "DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR PEOPLE WITH ALL MEANS/RESOURCES AVAILABLE"--available both in
the country and from outside. But I see many of us still pushing nutrition
and HIV only from the "development" perspective: i.e. from the food
perspective and not from the perspective of "management of the situation".
I agree the food approach will always remain superior (in terms of
acceptability and sustainability), but with the elevated malabsorption
problems and the low bioavailability of nutrients, the "best" health option
in this "emergency", unfortunately remains to be supplements (shipped from
outside).
The question is "which supplements"?

George M. Carter's views
?-------------------------------------
Excellent question. OK--again. Food first. Too many people in Africa hardly 
have any.

The first, best supplement is the simplest. A potent multivitamin 
(preferably WITHOUT iron). Iron can be problematic for many and having a 
supply of iron for women that genuinely need it is easy enough. Such a 
multi should contain decent amounts of B vitamins. Perhaps 1000 mg of 
vitamin C. A sample formula is provided below. This gives a general idea. 
Some may be needed in greater amounts, such as vitamin B12. Such a formula I believe is available from various companies within Africa, as I've noted before.

There are other supplements I think can be very helpful. Right now, it 
seems impossible to consider them for most people in developing countries. 
But let's consider the possibilities that we may yet turn into reality 
(presuming the coming war isn't the herald of something even more dire for 
the world):
glutamine - an amino acid, usually in powder form. Mixed with a drink 
(another problem) such as clean water or milk or fruit juice. It is very 
helpful for maintaining gut integrity.
acidophilus - found in yogurt; other such "healthful" bacteria are also 
good for gut function. (there are botanical medicines in Africa that can 
help in this regard too).

NAC - N-acetylcysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid that is the 
precursor to glutathione. This is VERY important piece of treating HIV in 
my view.

One way to offset the need for NAC or glutamine would be to use whey 
proteins, a fraction of milk, that are readily digested and contain 
relatively high amounts of these amino acids.

So, simply, I think a lot could be achieved with good food, clean water, a 
multi like the one below and whey protein. This serves as a good basis to 
address this aspect of HIV disease.

It should not have to be said, but it does. Access to treatments for 
opportunistic infections and antiviral therapy is the only thing that will 
keep people alive with full blown AIDS. These other interventions may slow 
disease progression and/or help recovery.

Of course, there are many botanical medicines in Africa that may help to 
treat a variety of conditions and situations. These need to be further 
characterized in methodologically-sound clinical studies.
George M. Carter

****
Sample multi:
Beta carotene   50,000 IU
Vitamin C  (calcium ascorbate)  1,000 mg
Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)      400 IU
Vitamin E
(d-alpha tocopheryl succinate)  400 IU
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)       25 mcg
B1/thiamine (thiamine mononitrate)      25 mg
B2/riboflavin   25 mg
B3/Niacin       50 mg
Niacinamide     50 mg
B6/pyridoxine hydrochloride     25 mg
Folic acid      400 mcg
B12/cyanocobalamin      1,000 mcg
B5 (as calcium pantothenate)    100 mg
Biotin  300 mcg
Choline 300 mg
Inositol        100 mg
Calcium (as calcium citrate)    600 mg
Magnesium (as magnesium oxide)  250 mg
Potassium chloride      99 mg
Zinc (as monomethionate)        25 mg
Iodine (as potassium iodide)    153 mcg
Copper (as copper gluconate)    1 mg
Manganese (as manganese gluconate)       2 mg
Molybdenum (as sodium molybdate)        75 mcg
Boron (as citrate)      1 mg
Selenium        200 mcg
Chromium (as chromium picolinate)       120 mcg

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