Re: [pronut-hiv] Request for information on macro and micronutrient supplements for people living with HIV/AIDS (2)

["George M. Carter" <fiar@verizon.net>]

   It's  always  rather appalled me that the researchers who have studied
   nutrition  and  multivitamins, with a few exceptions, have been unable
   to   make   proper  recommendations  for  something  as  simple  as  a
   multivitamin/mineral  tablet for people living with HIV. We know there
   are  documented  deficiencies of a ranger of micronutrients, including
   minerals  such  as  magnesium  (Skurnick),  selenium (various), sulfur
   (Droge)  and  others.  Calcium appears to be important as well. And of
   course,  among the various vitamins (A, the Bs, C, E). By contrast, it
   may make sense to use an iron-free multi, only supplementing with iron
   where an iron-deficiency anemia has been documented, if that is deemed
   feasible and reasonable.
   The  protocol used by Jon Kaiser that showed an increase of 25% in CD4
   counts  also  included  antioxidants,  including the primary source of
   sulfur deficiency, N-acetylcysteine. I've appended that formula below.
   Note  that the primary outcome of offsetting ARV-associated peripheral
   neuropathy  was  not  achieved  in their study. However, Youle et al.,
   using  acetylcarnitine  alone  at  a  higher  dose  of 3 g/day did see
   improvement in PN.
   While  it appears unlikely that the antioxidants would be included due
   to cost considerations, an interesting alternative might be the use of
   whey  proteins which help offset the loss of glutamine and cysteine in
   HIV-infected   individuals   and   may   represent   a  cost-effective
   supplement.  In  addition,  I would think a potent multi/mineral combo
   would  not  be  unduly  costly, have no side effects and could help to
   slow  or  delay progression, as well as reduce morbidity and mortality
   (the Tanzanian and Thai studies).
   I  hope  that  the  Indian government will see the virtue and value of
   making  these types of interventions available. On the community side,
   I  think  one  of  the  other  challenges  will  be  helping people to
   understand  the  use  of  these medications and encouraging their use.
   Pill  count  can be a problem. And we all realize how very little many
   people  in  India eat at all; one meal consisting of dal and rice on a
   good day. How about Horlix?
   George M. Carter
   **
   Kaiser protocol:
   Table 1. Broad-Spectrum Micronutrient Formula (Total Daily Dosage)
   Multivitamin Multimineral
   Vitamin A 8,000 i.u.
   Beta Carotene 20,000 i.u.
   Vitamin C 1,800 mg
   Vitamin D 400 i.u.
   Vitamin E 800 i.u.
   Vitamin B1 60 mg
   Vitamin B2 60 mg
   Vitamin B6 260 mg
   Niacinamide 60 mg
   Folic acid 800 mcg
   Vitamin B12 2.5 mg
   Pantothenic acid 60 mg
   Biotin 50 mcg
   Choline 60 mg
   Inositol 60 mg
   Glutamic acid 100 mg
   Betaine HCL 150 mg
   Bioflavinoid complex 300 mg
   Calcium 800 mg
   Iron 18 mg
   Iodine 150 mcg
   Magnesium 400 mg
   Zinc 30 mg
   Selenium 200 mcg
   Copper 2.0 mg
   Manganese 10 mg
   Chromium 100 mcg
   Molybdenum 300 mcg
   Boron 2.0 mg
   Potassium 99 mg
   Highly Potent Antioxidants
   Alpha lipoic Acid 400 mg
   N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) 1200 mg
   Acetyl L-carnitine 1000 mg