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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

People who are infected with HIV sometimes try dietary supplements that claim to boost the immune system or counteract side effects of anti-HIV drugs.

Supplements that may be helpful

  • Fish oil. Some anti-HIV drugs can cause increases in cholesterol levels. Studies indicate that fish oil supplements can help bring those numbers down.
  • Whey protein. Preliminary evidence indicates that whey protein, a cheese by-product, can help some people with HIV gain weight. Whey protein also appears to reduce diarrhea and increase CD4 counts.
  • Coenzyme Q10. This supplement appears to increase levels of CD4 cells, which could make your immune system stronger. More research is needed, however.

Supplements that may be dangerous

  • St. John's wort. Commonly used to combat depression, St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of several types of anti-HIV drugs by more than 50 percent.
  • Garlic supplements. Although garlic may help strengthen the immune system, it also interacts with several anti-HIV drugs — reducing their effectiveness by 50 percent. Occasionally eating garlic in food appears to be safe.
Coping and support Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. Basic information about HIV and AIDS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  2. HIV and its treatment: What you should know. AIDSinfo. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/HIVandItsTreatment_cbrochure_en.pdf. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  3. Kumar V, et al. Immunodeficiency syndromes. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, Professional Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202273019-4/0/2060/57.html?tocnode=57529567&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0792-2..50011-0--cesec96_437. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  4. Quinn TC. The global human immunodeficiency virus pandemic. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  5. Opal SM, et al. Human immunodeficiency virus. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202273019-4/1002085996/2088/313.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00017-4--sc0185_6437. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  6. Bartlett JG. The stages and natural history of HIV infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  7. Opal SM, et al. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202273019-4/1002085996/2088/22.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00010-1--s1620_340. Accessed May 18, 2010.
  8. Living with AIDS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/brochures/livingwithhiv.htm. Accessed May 19, 2010.
  9. Neurological complications of AIDS fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aids/detail_aids.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  10. Bartlett JG. When to initiate antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  11. Side effects of anti-HIV medications: Health information for patients. AIDSinfo. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/SideEffectAnitHIVMeds_cbrochure_en.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  12. Eating defensively: Food safety advice for persons with AIDS. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm135844.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  13. Natural medicines in the clinical management of HIV/AIDS. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  14. The HIV/AIDS programs: Find HIV/AIDS care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://hab.hrsa.gov/findcare/index.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
  15. Fourth generation HIV diagnostic test approved, permitting earlier detection of infection. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm216409.htm. Accessed June 24, 2010.
  16. FDA approves first-of-its-kind HIV test which can detect HIV days earlier than current U.S. tests. Abbott Laboratories. http://www.abbott.com/global/url/pressRelease/en_US/60.5:5/Press_Release_0875.htm. Accessed June 24, 2010.
  17. Daar ES, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of primary HIV-1 infection. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS. 2008;3:110.
  18. Sax, PE. Primary HIV-1 infection: Pathogenesis; epidemiology and clinical manifestations. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
  19. Stages of HIV. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/hiv-in-your-body/stages-of-hiv/. Accessed Oct. 19, 2011.
  20. Fauci A, et al. Human immunodeficiency virus disease: AIDS and related disorders. In: Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Oct. 19, 2011.
DS00005 Oct. 20, 2011

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