HIV Hepatitis-co-infection and nutritional interventions

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note: Professor Harold D s posting has been carefully

reviewed. At the onset, a professor of Geology and Geography, working at the

Department of Geography of the University of , commenting on the role of

nutrition in the prevention and control of the progress of immune destruction is

a bit odd combination. Normally, one would expect such a scientific arguments

from the bio-medical scientist. However, the moderator of this FORUM, as a

student of HIV prevention and care methods, is committed to be open to new ideas

and opinions.

In the context of our efforts for discovering an HIV vaccine, contribution of

micro nutrients in preventing or reversing the destruction of immunity is an

interesting hypothesis. Such a hypothesis could be the basis of a therapeutic

HIV vaccine. A vaccine, which might prevent the progression of HIV infection to

AIDS. However, as a professor of science, Dr. s must know that a

scientific argument may not stand the test of science with the evidence from

just one case, of a drug user’s experience of using micronutrients to control

the progression of HIV disease. Unless, this hypothesis is tested and proved his

statements may remain just as an unsubstantiated statement]

Dear FORUM,

A recent posting pointed out the plight of those, especially in north-eastern

Manipur state, who are denied anti-retrovirals because they are co-infected with

HIV and hepatitis-C.I thought that members of this group may be interested in

the experience of one such Canadian former drug addict.

As described in many of my published papers and the free book " What really

causes AIDS " (www.hdfoster.com), because HIV and humans both encode for the

selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase, the virus competes with its host for the

four nutrients required to produce this antiviral enzyme, namely: selenium,

cysteine, tryptophan and glutamine.

I have argued that this means the symptoms of AIDS can prevented by

supplementation with this trace element and three amino acids. What follows is

supporting evidence for this hypothesis.

Here is a report from the girlfriend of the former drug addict who, in the

spring of 2002, became the first AIDS patient to use this nutritional approach.

He was infected by Hepatitis A,B and C and, of course, HIV.

" My partner began taking the cocktail while still using cocaine, heroin and

other drugs, as well as drinking his face off. The alcoholism at first got worse

as he sought to replace harder drugs with beer. During this time he had full

blown AIDS and it seemed certain he would be dead soon despite the [HAART]

cocktail prescription.

After talking to you and reading your book together [ " What really causes

AIDS " ],we focused on nutrition, specifically getting the selenium into him, and

also me as an extra protection against exposure to the viruses. We also

understood better the relationship between the drugs and alcohol and the

progression of his diseases. Even after the HIV seemed to be under control, his

Hep C was bothering him. As he learned to take better care of himself

nutritionally, and eventually managed to quit all substances with the help of

NA, he seemed to be on the road to health. Within a few months his viral load

was undetectable. When he went travelling and was unable to access either the

cocktail or the nutrients he quickly became ill again.

By the time he came home he was once again quite sick, full blown AIDS. However,

after returning home and once again taking selenium and other nutrients you

suggested, as well as returning to the cocktail, he quickly got better. This

time the improvement happened over a period of weeks "

As of March 2005, this former dying Hepatitis A,B and C -AIDS patient is symptom

free and working on a construction site doing heavy labour.

Regards,

Harold D Ph D. Professor.

E-mail: <hfoster@...>