The final stages of impaired immune function and infection, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms include heavy night sweats and fever, fatigue and lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, thrush, herpes infections, mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. Aids can appear in many forms, but around half of sufferers experience pneumonia, and a third Kaposi sarcoma, a form of skin cancer. Others suffer from a range of secondary infections as a result of a weakened immune system. Nutrition therapy for Aids is based mainly on boosting the immune system.
Diet:
Eliminate alcohol, caffeine and sugar. Consume a diet of whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits (preferably organically-grown), seeds, fish and free-range chicken.
Nutrients:
Flax seed oil, lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, carotene complex, thymus extract, garlic, superoxide dismutase (SOD), protein, selenium, vitamins B complex, glutathione. Primrose oil can help with fatigue.
Herbs:
Reishi mushroom extract, St. John's Wort, curcumin, licorice, milk thistle, echinacea, astragalus.