Dr. Rath Research Institute

December 1, is marked as the “World AIDS Day” and the official HIV/AIDS campaign theme for the year 2011 has been, “Leading with Science, Uniting with Action”.

In line with this theme, we wish to bring attention to a recently published textbook named “Recent Translational Research in HIV/AIDS” (ISBN 978-953-307-719-2). This book features a comprehensive chapter authored by Dr. Jariwalla, Dr. Niedzwiecki and Dr. Rath. The chapter titled, “Micronutrient Synergy in the Control of HIV Infection and AIDS” highlights Dr. Jariwalla and his colleagues work on HIV and AIDS in the last two decades. Dr. Jariwalla is the senior researcher at Dr. Rath Research Institute whose research focuses on the role of nutritional supplementation in immune modulation and suppression of viral infections. The Institute founded by Dr. Rath and led by Dr. Niedzwiecki is being recognized for its pioneering work in the development of innovative health solutions in various areas of human health based on Dr. Rath’s scientific discoveries.

On the World AIDS day, December 1, 2011, President Barack Obama has undertaken a goal to achieve an “AIDS free generation” and allotted $50 million increase, to the $27 billion federal funding, for HIV/AIDS treatment campaign in the US. The President also emphasized that, “we need to keep refining our strategy so that we're saving as many lives as possible. We need to listen when the scientific community focuses on prevention”.

According to 2010 statistics, approximately 34 million people, including children, around the world are estimated to have the HIV infection. In the US alone, of the 1.2 million people living with the infection only 28% have it under control. Initially considered as a fatal disease leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has now become a manageable condition with anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. However, these drugs can only reduce the viral load in the blood stream. And this comes at the cost of serious side effects to vital organs as heart, brain, kidney, liver, bone marrow, and the DNA, which is the core of every cell in the body. None of the ARV drugs currently marketed is able to cure HIV or AIDS. In fact, they further obstruct the normal functioning of already compromised immune system in AIDS patients. With a prohibitive cost of $15,000-20,000, per person per year, the ARV drugs are already expensive for most of the HIV patients. This combined with the management of side effects puts tremendous financial burden on them, suggesting the need for affordable, safe and effective intervention to combat HIV infection.

In this chapter, Dr. Jariwalla and colleagues present a comprehensive review of their own and other studies supporting nutritional supplementation as safe and effective approach for control of HIV infection and AIDS. Both, pre-existing and treatment-induced micronutrient deficiencies play a significant role in progression of asymptomatic HIV infection to full blown AIDS. Abnormally low CD4 (a type of white blood cells) count is a clinical indicator of AIDS. Several micronutrients are essential for optimal production of blood cells and effective immune response critical in prevention of HIV infection and combating the virus after infection has occurred.

As highlighted in this chapter, research conducted by Dr. Jariwalla and colleagues has proven that synergistic combination of specific micronutrients can inhibit acute, chronic and latent infection of HIV infected cells. The efficacy of micronutrient synergy was also confirmed in AIDS patients in South Africa. The results of this community based program showed that within 10-12 weeks, micronutrients suppressed all AIDS defining as well as other physical symptoms in HIV positive AIDS patients and also improved their feeling of well-being. These improvements were statistically significant and were confirmed in four different communities in South Africa for a total of 813 participants.

According to the Presidential Proclamation on December 1, 2011, Mr. Obama has announced that,” My administration is taking action to turn the corner on the HIV/AIDS pandemic by investing in research that promises new and proven methods to prevent infection and better therapies for people living with HIV.”

Aligning with the 2011 World AIDS Day theme of “Leading with Science”, the research findings published by Dr. Rath Research Institute are indeed invaluable. The innovative concept of nutrient synergy, originated by Dr. Rath, has been shown effective in HIV infected cells and in patients. In the absence of safe and affordable alternatives for HIV/AIDS patients the importance and effectiveness of micronutrient combination cannot be overemphasized. It is time to invest in research on science-based natural approaches to turn the corner in the battle of HIV and AIDS.

Please read the entire chapter authored by Dr. Jariwalla, Dr. Niedzwiecki and Dr. Rath at: http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/micronutrient-synergy-in-the-control-of-hiv-infection-and-aids