HIV and AIDS is a medical problem that has confounded the medical community since its introduction to the world. It was first identified in the United States around 1980, largely unheard of before this time with a few isolated exceptions that match the disease's symptoms. The HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and AIDS for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a disease that results in damage the immune system, which over time leaves individuals susceptible to infections that weaken the body. AIDS/HIV is transferred through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and breast milk. As AIDS reaches pandemic stages, researchers are trying to find a solution for this terrible disease that in 2007 was estimated at infecting 88.2 million people worldwide.
The normal course of treatment has been AZT and other cocktails of antiviral drugs. Although these drugs can slow the progression of this disease, no one has yet found the cure. Studies are looking into natural supplements to fight this disease. There are multiple studies that have taken into consideration the effects of regular vitamin supplements for the body. A completely unique and new type of dietary supplement, combining immuno-modulators and direct acting anti-viral compounds from all-natural sources has emerged using medicinal mushrooms. These compounds have been tested in a number of different clinical Trials, and have been found to be extremely safe and effective. The Chinese have used many of these mushrooms to boost immune function for centuries.
These fungi serve as immunomodulators. Mushroom derived immune enhancers have been used in cancer therapy worldwide since their discovery in 1976. Examples of these types of mushroom derived polysaccharide compounds are Lentinan, PSK, PSP, Grifolan, and the cross-linked beta-mannans from Cordyceps. These have all been used in clinical trials on HIV patients, both alone and in combination with HAART drugs. And they have all shown effectiveness.
Two separate researchers on opposite sides of the Earth - one in China, one in California, have screened 27 herbs from traditional Chinese medicine to see how it impacted the AIDS virus. These herbs were purified and tested to find out what happened to the HIV cells while not damaging the normal cells. The results showed that several of these herbs would fight the disease through a controlled assay. Viola yesdoensis was the most effective. This herb reduced the percentage of infection cells from 12.8 to zero, 3.8 to .4, and 21.5 to .4 in three separate assays.
Other herbs were also found to be effective, but with limited research and lack of funding, these researchers are unable to continue studies to find more definitive results. There is also no way without research to find levels that would be safe for human consumption, or how it would react with the human body. Researching these herbs on your own may be beneficial, but it is definitely best to speak with an herbalist as well as your own doctor before trying any herbs on your own.
The New England Journal of Medicine, VOL 351.23-32, reports a study with 1078 pregnant women infected with AIDS. These women were given daily supplements of vitamin A and multi-vitamins. This study found that women who took the multi-vitamins lowered the viral loads on the body, but vitamin A alone had smaller benefits.
This is not the only study examining the effects of multi vitamins on the advance of AIDS. Although this is not a replacement for anti-HIV drugs, evidence seems to show that by taking a multi vitamin supplement you can help lesson the symptoms. The reason for this, doctors believe, is because this virus compromises your immune system, and by taking supplements you are supporting it. This makes the advancement slow down.
In a study in Africa, a study showed a multivitamin taken daily with vitamin B, C and E as well as folic acid slowed the onset of AIDS and death, and a study in Thailand showed a reduced risk of death in people that were experiencing the advanced stages of HIV. These studies don't suggest that this is a cure for AIDS, but the polysaccharides in medicinal mushrooms have been shown to do offer a better of quality of life while you battle this disease by supporting your immune system. These with inexpensive and readily available solutions.
Keep in mind that even vitamin supplements can be toxic. Research the proper dosing, as certain supplements can cause liver and bone damage, vomiting, headache, kidney stones, and nerve damage if you take too many of these supplements. Talk with your doctor and an HIV specialist first, meet with a dietitian and gain advice on how to optimize your intake through diet as well as supplements. Feel free to educate them on the benefits of immune support using natural immune boosting polysaccharides to help boost your immune system.
Herbal remedies are being used by patients with HIV, but these remedies are not well studied and some can actually counteract the HIV drugs. There are several known interactions so far, and hopefully in time we will have more answers about what works together, but use caution when trying these remedies.
As we continue to battle this disease, sufferers must continue to raise awareness so that the research is not put on the back burner. With an answer as simple as polysaccharides and better nutrition to slow the onset and progression, maybe we can find another answer within nature to help wipe this terrible disease out. It is imperative that we continue the research that has given us a start to the answer, and maybe we can find the secret to the cure.
www.ezinearticles.com
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Preventing AIDS
AIDS is a very serious disease because once you are detected to be an AIDS patient, you are susceptible to each and every disease be it as small and mild as common cold. This is so because even if you have such a harmless illness, your body might not be able to fight with it.
Our human body is so 'programmed' or 'trained' that any infection or unwanted cells cause the production of 'anti-bodies' in our body. They are precisely the security system of the human body. HIV prevents such protection.
The HIV virus which leads to AIDS reduces the ability of our body to fight diseases to zero. This implies, if this virus causes the disease AIDS, then the body looses the capability to fight any disease, no matter how small-an-illness it might be. Sometimes, such small illnesses can also attribute to the persons death.
Prevention is better than cure, especially if there is NO cure!!
1. Have safe sex. HIV is transmitted through exchange of body fluid. It is best to use condoms.
2. Always use a fresh disposable syringe for injective purposes. Never use a used one, even if it is your friends'.
3. When anyone needs blood transfusion, make sure the blood you use is government approved and processed.
4. Be careful while dealing with body fluids like blood. Any intake of such in one's body from an HIV infected person is dangerous.
However AIDS or HIV does not spread through the following:
1. By shaking hands with an HIV infected person
2. By touching or hugging an HIV infected person
3. By insect bites
4. Sharing toilet
5. From food cooked by can HIV infected person.
While the promotion for HIV and AIDS was undertaken by the Government of India on doordarshan, the campaign was ruled by the phrase which translated in English is "AIDS isn't spread by touching, but love is! So fight AIDS and spread love!"
www.ezinearticles.com
Our human body is so 'programmed' or 'trained' that any infection or unwanted cells cause the production of 'anti-bodies' in our body. They are precisely the security system of the human body. HIV prevents such protection.
The HIV virus which leads to AIDS reduces the ability of our body to fight diseases to zero. This implies, if this virus causes the disease AIDS, then the body looses the capability to fight any disease, no matter how small-an-illness it might be. Sometimes, such small illnesses can also attribute to the persons death.
Prevention is better than cure, especially if there is NO cure!!
1. Have safe sex. HIV is transmitted through exchange of body fluid. It is best to use condoms.
2. Always use a fresh disposable syringe for injective purposes. Never use a used one, even if it is your friends'.
3. When anyone needs blood transfusion, make sure the blood you use is government approved and processed.
4. Be careful while dealing with body fluids like blood. Any intake of such in one's body from an HIV infected person is dangerous.
However AIDS or HIV does not spread through the following:
1. By shaking hands with an HIV infected person
2. By touching or hugging an HIV infected person
3. By insect bites
4. Sharing toilet
5. From food cooked by can HIV infected person.
While the promotion for HIV and AIDS was undertaken by the Government of India on doordarshan, the campaign was ruled by the phrase which translated in English is "AIDS isn't spread by touching, but love is! So fight AIDS and spread love!"
www.ezinearticles.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
HIV and AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome. This disease is caused by the HIV virus that kills the immune system of the human body and damages the brain badly. This is an incurable disease that haunts the world, especially the sub continents of Asia and Africa.
The HIV virus (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus) reduces the ability of our body to fight diseases to zero. This implies, if this virus causes the disease AIDS, then the body looses the capability to fight any disease, no matter how small-an-illness it might be. Sometimes, such small illnesses can also attribute to the persons death.
AIDS is basically made up of three words - acquired, immuno-deficiency and syndrome.
Acquired means that this disease is not caused due to any deficiency in the body like others. It is only 'contracted' through external agents. Usually, it is contracted if there is direct contact of body fluid with the affected person.
Immuno-Deficiency means that this disease renders the human immune system inactive or ineffective. In a way, it can be said that the human body becomes deficient of its immune system altogether once this virus resides in the body.
Syndrome medically means a group of illnesses that cause a problem. AIDS is precisely that!
Our human body is so 'programmed' or 'trained' that any infection or unwanted cells cause the production of 'anti-bodies' in our body. They are precisely the security system of the human body. HIV prevents such protection.
It is a common fad among people that they can contract AIDS by any of the ways they are aware of, but the fact is that one can never get affected by AIDS directly. Usually, it is the HIV virus that reduces and kills the body immune system, and it is a gradual process through which one can acquire AIDS.
There are no physical symptoms for this. You will not get any indications like temperature, cough, cold, body-ache etc. It is something that can be confirmed only if the virus is detected in the body through medical (pathological) tests.
Unfortunately, till date, there is no cure for AIDS. However, there are medications available that can slow down the damage HIV does to your body and hence delay the AIDS. But there is still no way to stop its growth completely in the body.
This is as serious as it sounds, and proper precautions should be taken to be away from it, and be safe.
www.ezinearticles.com
The HIV virus (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus) reduces the ability of our body to fight diseases to zero. This implies, if this virus causes the disease AIDS, then the body looses the capability to fight any disease, no matter how small-an-illness it might be. Sometimes, such small illnesses can also attribute to the persons death.
AIDS is basically made up of three words - acquired, immuno-deficiency and syndrome.
Acquired means that this disease is not caused due to any deficiency in the body like others. It is only 'contracted' through external agents. Usually, it is contracted if there is direct contact of body fluid with the affected person.
Immuno-Deficiency means that this disease renders the human immune system inactive or ineffective. In a way, it can be said that the human body becomes deficient of its immune system altogether once this virus resides in the body.
Syndrome medically means a group of illnesses that cause a problem. AIDS is precisely that!
Our human body is so 'programmed' or 'trained' that any infection or unwanted cells cause the production of 'anti-bodies' in our body. They are precisely the security system of the human body. HIV prevents such protection.
It is a common fad among people that they can contract AIDS by any of the ways they are aware of, but the fact is that one can never get affected by AIDS directly. Usually, it is the HIV virus that reduces and kills the body immune system, and it is a gradual process through which one can acquire AIDS.
There are no physical symptoms for this. You will not get any indications like temperature, cough, cold, body-ache etc. It is something that can be confirmed only if the virus is detected in the body through medical (pathological) tests.
Unfortunately, till date, there is no cure for AIDS. However, there are medications available that can slow down the damage HIV does to your body and hence delay the AIDS. But there is still no way to stop its growth completely in the body.
This is as serious as it sounds, and proper precautions should be taken to be away from it, and be safe.
www.ezinearticles.com
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