This condition of oxidative stress can be countered through the selective intake of foods and supplements recognised as antioxidants. Tang (2001) observes that, “In HIV infection, oxidative stress may be caused by both overproduction of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) (free radicals) and a simultaneous deficiency of antioxidant defenses”. He notes that research in this field is ongoing, but the two issues here need to be clearly recognised as factors affecting the decline in health of HIV positive individuals.

1. The HIV viral infection increases the production of free radicals (ROIs), so leading to oxidative stress.
2. A diet lacking high levels of antioxidants contributes to the debilitating effects of the viral infection. Without antioxidants to counter the increased levels of oxidative stress the decline in health can be rapid.
3. Aids medications also increase ROI production.

Consequently, antioxidants are important for people with HIV, because HIV infection leads to higher levels of free radicals. Also, free radicals can increase the activity of HIV. Higher levels of antioxidants can slow down the virus and help repair some of the damage done by free radicals.

HIV disease and many AIDS medications increase the oxidative stress within the body. The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) set by the US government are the minimum amounts of nutrients needed to prevent shortages in healthy people. People with HIV may need between 6 and 25 times the RDA of some nutrients (AIDS.ORG)!

Antioxidants

When it comes to antioxidants, the USDA recommends an intake of 3000 to 5000 ORAC units per day. Research has shown that the average healthy person generates about 5000 ORAC units of free radicals each day, but only obtains about 1250 ORAC units of antioxidants through the diet. For HIV positive people and those with AIDS, the amount of free radicals generated by the body will be higher. It therefore requires a very selective diet to supply the body with enough antioxidants to sustain and maintain health. Dr. Taylor (1999) notes that “Deficiencies of these nutrients can have serious to profound effects on resistance to secondary infections, quality of life, and survival time.”

In order to counter reduce free radical formation, our bodies need foods high in antioxidants and phytochemicals. The antioxidants beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and selenium and many different phytochemicals are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. An important natural antioxidant is an amino acid called glutathione. Glutathione is made by the body and is also found in some foods.

Physiological Conditions that Promote AIDS

Chan et al (1997), observe that HIV thrives in a highly oxidized environment.the body’s CD4 cells shift from a

resting state into an active immune response through a process (cascade) of internal oxidative reactions. Once activated, increased transmission of genetic instructions from the cells’ genes leads to elevated metabolism and the production of proteins and enzymes. However, this activation of the genetic system also stimulates the HIV genes in infected cells to reproduce. These cells’ increased metabolism supplies the cellular factors needed for the virus particles to replicate. Activated, uninfected CD4 cells are are rapidly infected by HIV, providng the molecules that the virus needs to convert its genes from RNA to DNA. In the process, the virus integrates those genes in the cell’s chromosomes.

This metabolic activity initiated as an immune response by the CD4 cells creates electron-deficient free radicals. As highly reactive molecules they damage other molecules by absorbing electrons from them, a  reaction referred to as “oxidation.” This is where the term “oxidative stress” comes from.  Naturally occurring antioxidants come into play by donating their own electrons and neutralising the effect of free radicals on the body. There are a range of natural antioxidants, such as the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase; vitamins C and E; and various carotenoids, including vitamin A (Chan et al, 1997).

HIV has evolved to exploit this immune response process. With HIV, an abundance of free radicals are produced while natural antioxidants are progressively depleted. Chan et al (1997) notes that “A state of oxidative stress develops in which immune cells are kept continuously activated and various types of tissue damage occurs.” Cell membranes are made up of easily and rapidly oxidised lipids (polyunsaturated fatty acids). Oxidation of these membranes by free radicals leads to cellular components such as the nucleus unprotected and susceptible to further damage. Finally, the genetic material of the nucleus  comes under attack leading to mutations. From this, it appears that AIDS has evolved to increase oxidative stress in the body, so as to perpetuate itself within the body through the exploitation of the CD4 cells’ immune response!

Virus-specific CD4 cells are critical in maintaining an effective host immune response and are present early in HIV infection but are generally lost over time. A person’s immune system copes during the clinical latency period. Eventually, the immune system reaches a “point of exhaustion” at which viral replication exceeds its ability to produce CD4 cells, leading to a decline in immunologic function. Health deteriorates, together with clinical disease manifestations, including opportunistic infections and neoplasms. There is a strong relationship between the viral HIV load (plasma viral levels) and the likelihood of developing  AIDS (Libman and Barlam, 2003).  The body’s viral load is a sensitive predictor of HIV disease progression independent of CD4 cell count. Antioxidants serve to aid the CD4 cells in removing these virions by reducing the oxidative stress that develops during the fight against the disease. In doing so, they slow the development of AIDS by reducing oxdative stress. Malorni et al (1998) supports this thesis through their findings that, “the redox profile of patients may be considered a predictive marker of AIDS progression and that the acute infection and the asymptomatic phase of the disease may represent a useful period in which the combined use of antiretroviral and antioxidant drugs may be beneficial”. Refer to the section on antioxidants for more details on the antioxidant effect on oxidative stress (the body’s redox potential).

Safe Dosage Levels

Excessive levels of any specific antioxidant needs to be avoided. As such a diversity of antioxidants should be included in the diet. Many, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, copper, iron, niacin, selenium, and zinc can cause problems at higher doses (AIDS.ORG). We should never assume that high doses of vitamins or nutrients are safe. They are not safe until clinical studies prove them to be safe, so in all cases, a qualified doctor should be consulted. AIDS.ORG lists a number of antioxidants recognised as important nutrients:

• beta-carotene (the body breaks down beta-carotene to make Vitamin A),
• selenium,
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol),
• Vitamin C, Alpha-lipoic acid,
• Coenzyme Q10, and
• N-Acetyl-Cysteine (an antioxidant that can help maintain body levels of glutathione.

Glutathione is one of the body’s main antioxidants). Herbal products contain phytochemicals, plant compounds, many of which act as antioxidants and seem to help prevent heart disease and cancer. Research into the ORAC levels of different herbal foods has shown some natural foods to be vastly more effective than others as antioxidants.

Dr Taylor notes the “ever-expanding knowledge of the role of nutrition (particularly antioxidants and trace minerals) in supporting our natural immunity”. He goes on to identify that a high risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency, referring to over 20 papers that document Se depletion in HIV/AIDS. To avoid toxicity, Se supplementation at 200 micrograms (mcg) per day for adults is generally considered safe. This elemental antioxidant is excreted by the body, so higher levels may not make a difference.

Effect of oxidative stress on HIV positive cases

Hosein (1997) wrote that research suggests that chronic oxidative stress can affect the immune system’s fight against HIV, through the following mechanisms:

• increasing production of HIV
• weakening the immune response
• making T cells (CD4 cells) destroy themselves
• causing cells to make abnormal chemicals
• making the body more sensitive to the toxic effects of certain drugs.

The conclusion of these numerous studies is that any individual with AIDS or HIV can improve their health through the management of their diet so as to maximise the intake of a diversity of antioxidants.

Multivitamin supplements slow, but do not stop, the progression of AIDS. Currently, only a combination of AIDS drugs can keep a person with HIV infection from dying of AIDS. Multivitamin supplements can prolong the AIDS-free period. In a six year study of more than 1000 pregnant, HIV-infected women (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) received multivitamin supplements (vitamins B, C, and E), vitamin A alone, multivitamins plus vitamin A, or placebo. The results were significant. Multivitamins included in the diet reduced the risk of death from AIDS by 27%. It slowed progression to AIDS by 50%. Women who took the multivitamins had far better immune (lower levels of HIV in their bodies) than women who received placebo. Vitamin A was not effective and when added to the multivitamins, it reduced their effect. The researchers, Marston and De Cock (2004) note that HIV and AIDS treatment programs (especially in Africa) must address the need for food supplementation. Dr. Fawzi (2004) stressed that the vitamins are not a substitute for powerful AIDS drugs, that are used once an HIV infection reaches later stages.

Eighteen of the 271 women who took multivitamins, (7%), developed AIDS, compared with 31 of the 267 women, (12%), who took a dummy pill. Nineteen percent in the multivitamin group and 25 percent in the comparison group died, but the difference was not statistically significant.

During the course of the study, 299 of the 1,078 women either died from AIDS-related causes or progressed to WHO stage 4 (equivalent to AIDS): Among the 271 women who received multivitamins, 67 (24.7 percent) progressed to WHO stage 4 or died of AIDS-related causes; among women who received multivitamins with vitamin A, the total was 70 (26.1 (percent) of the 268; for those who received vitamin A alone, it was 79 (29 percent); and of 272 who received the placebo, it was 83 (31.1 percent) who progressed to WHO stage 4 or died from AIDS-related causes.

Women on multivitamins developed fewer typical late-stage complications such as fatigue, diarrhoea and mouth ulcers. Multivitamins also resulted in significantly higher CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts and significantly lower levels of the virus in their blood.

Commercial Antioxidants

AIM BarleyLife®

AIM BarleyLife® is as effective as the Chinese wolfberries as an antioxidant, with an ORAC value of 25,500! AIM BarleyLife® contains 2½ times the beta carotene found in an equivalent weight of raw carrots and about 25 times that found in an equivalent weight of raw broccoli. Beta carotene is an important antioxidant known to protect cells. It also contains superoxide dismutase, a marker of antioxidant activity and a free-radical fighter, and at least two powerful additional antioxidants, lutonarin and saponarin. BarleyLife’s 2003 antioxidant value levels increased across the board — antioxidant activity increased 21%, Beta Carotene 20%, and Calcium 15%. Beta carotene is an important antioxidant known to protect cells. It is implicated in cardiovascular health and is believed to have anticancer benefits.

AIM BarleyLife® also contains more than 7 times the calcium found in an equivalent weight of raw spinach and 15 times the calcium found in an equivalent weight of raw broccoli. Calcium is essential for bone development. In addition, AIM BarleyLife® contains more of other essential vitamins and minerals, more amino acids, more enzymes, including peroxidase, a marker of freshness, and superoxide dismutase, a marker of antioxidant activity and a free-radical fighter, more antioxidants, including at least two powerful ones, lutonarin and saponarin and more chlorophyll.

AIMProancynol 2000™

AIMProancynol 2000™ contains some of the most powerful, natural antioxidants ever discovered. A unique blend of green tea, grape seed extract, alpha-lipoic acid, and other powerful antioxidants, helps fight free radicals and maintain a healthy immune system.

Natural antioxidants

Refer to the Glutathione page for details on the many foods that are strong, natural antioxidants.

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Free radicals are bent naturally in the body during the metabolism of amino acids and fats. Additionally, they can come into our body from numerous outside connections. These unsteady molecules unreservedly respond with and damage healthy cells. They can also unite to and change the arrangement of DNA, leading to cell anomaly and perhaps cancer. This oxidative pressure on our body’s cells will be able to pilot to many types of malady, for example atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s illness, Alzheimer’s disease, macular relapse, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be an important factor in the ageing process, while this has not been scrupulously researched as yet.

The human body usually develops antioxidants to help stem the tide of free radicals. Nonetheless, as humans age, the amount of antioxidants humans are able to deliver are significantly reduced. Moreover, there are some antioxidants that our bodies need but cannot produce, such as vitamin C and E. These antioxidants are present in the foods individuals consume, and we require to consume lots of antioxidants as people become old in order to compensate for the antioxidants humans are no longer bringing forth biologically.

There are absolutely hundreds of antioxidants in tea, fruits,and other whole plant-based foods. Majority of them have not been comprehensively studied. Some of those that have been researched involve:

* anthocyanidins found in strawberries, oranges and red grapes;
* ascorbic acid (vitamin C ) found in[/[spin] rose hips, jujube, black currant, strawberries [spin]and citrus fruits;
* beta- carotene found in sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and spinach;
* flavan-3-ols from tea, chocolate, apples and grapes;
* flavanones found in citrus fruits;
* flavones existing in parsley, celery, oregano and peppers;
* flavonols present in onions, blueberries, tea, cocoa, tomatoes as well as broccoli;
* isoflavones from soy and other legumes;
* lutein from kale, collards, spinach, corn, peas and citrus;
* lycopene present in tomatoes and tomato produc ts such as ketchup and spaghetti sauce, and watermelon;
* oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPCs found in red grape seed and skin, cranberries, cocoa, apples, strawberries wine, peanuts, cinnamon and hawthorn;
* polyphenols present in berries, tea, beer, grapes or wine, olive oil, chocolate or cocoa, walnuts, peanuts and pomegranates;
* resveratrol existing in grapes, peanuts, cranberries and other berries;
* selenium from Brazil nuts, meats, tuna, whole grains;
* tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) found in vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus.

MaxGXL
The most powerful antioxidant is not a juice
or a berry…it’s glutathione.

The Predicament with Solitary Antioxidants

With the rising familiarity of the value of antioxidants, more and more single antioxidant pills appear on the market, such as vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta- carotene, selenium, lycopene, resveratrol and lutein. These greatly distinguished and concentrated products are often artificially manufactured for human consumption. On the other hand, some of thesedistinctand newly created products have not yet showed their use. In fact, in some cases, they prove to be risky. It turns out that the supplementary phytochemicals in whole plant foods work concomitantly with the antioxidants they also have to impart the suitable situation for the antioxidants to effectuate efficiently.

In a study found in John Hopkins University, released in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists substantiated: “In our meta-analysis, we identified a dose – reliant relationship between vitamin E supplementation and all- cause mortality. Specially, all- cause mortality increasingly amplified for dosages roughly greater than 150 IU/d. This dose is significantly lesser than the endurable superior intake level for vitamin E, which is at present elected at 1000 mg of any form of supplementary alpha-tocopherol per day (subsequent to 1100 IU of synthetic vitamin E per day or 1500 IU of normal vitamin E per day).”

A statement from NIAMS, the National Institute for Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, states: “Vitamin A is vital for strong bones. Then again, in excess of vitamin A has been related to bone loss and an rise in the danger of hip fracture. Scientists believe that disproportionate quantities of vitamin A trigger the upsurge in osteoclasts, the cells that dissect the bone. They also think that in excess of vitamin A could meddle with vitamin D, which have an vital responsibility in sustaining the bone.”

On February 28, 2007, a study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that ingesting antioxidant pills might actually curtail one’s existence. “By taking these supplements, you might be preventing your immune system’s ability to ward off malady or risk factors for chronic ailment,” said Edgar Miller III of Johns Hopkins University. “Individuals are taking these supplements with the assumption that it can result to a longer or better life. This goes to show that they are not living longer and as a matter of fact may be at greater risk of dying.”

Antioxidants: Perfect or Damaging?

Antioxidants instituted biologically in whole foods offer implausible health benefits, but it seems that the affirmation so far for the efficacy of exceptional or synthetic antioxidant pills proffers a different story. It turns out that antioxidants conform better in concert with the full range of phytochemicals found naturally in whole plant foods. Antioxidants are significantly vital molecules that your body synthesizes and requires in order to maintain itself. Though, artificial or single-antioxidant sources do not emerge to be the ideal substitute. Elect whole food sources for your antioxidant consumption.

The Nutritional Immunology teaches that the intake of innate, whole plant foods is always the ideal way to give food to your body the antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides considered necessary to maintain a strong immune system and perform at its optimum.

The Food mirageAn ideal way to ascertain you are receiving all the antioxidants you need is to eat fruits and vegetables in a diversity of insignia—red, orange, yellow, dark green, blue, purple and white. It has been constituted that several of the antioxidants constituted in plant foods are involved in what gives them their colors. Here’s a good start for a fuller and healthier life! Consume the following fruits, which are known to be good source of antioxidants:

* Red grapes
* Oranges
* Yellow bananas
* Leafy greens
* Blueberries
* Purple plums
* White or brown mushrooms

Best Of all MaxGXL and N-Fuze.

Place a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables on your plate for a wide diversity of central antioxidants necessary for the unremitting health of your body. Commit to memory, as you grow old your normal capability to produce antioxidants recedes, so choose to live healthier and longer by taking a wide mixture of fruits and vegetables each day!

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