May 2007 Cover
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Supplementing daily with the essential trace mineral selenium can suppress the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and improve immune cell counts, new research shows. The results support the use
of selenium as an additional therapy for HIV and AIDS.
A study published in the Archives of Internal
Medicine evaluated the effects of selenium on HIV viral load and T helper cell count.
The nine-month Miami Selenium for Heart and Immune Health Trial evaluated the effect of selenium supplementation (200 mcg per day) on blood selenium levels and its impact on HIV-1 viral load and CD4 cell count in
HIV-positive men and women. Blood levels of selenium increased significantly in the selenium-treated group but not in the placebo-treated group. Greater levels predicted decreased HIV-1 viral load, which in turn
predicted increased CD4 cell count. In a follow-up analysis, those who stuck to the treatment regimen had no change in viral load and an increase in CD4 count. In contrast, those with poor adherence to the protocol had
increased HIV-1 viral load and decreased CD4 counts.
from HealthWorks Newswire
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