Can selenium be effective against HIV?

Image of medical lab

Roger-Luc Chayer & Carle Jasmin (Image: AI – Gay Globe)

Over 25 years ago, in the early years of the HIV pandemic, medical laboratories and research centers were testing hundreds of molecules to determine which ones could affect the HIV virus. It is important to remember that at the beginning of the epidemic, no treatments existed and doctors did not even know it was a virus. We were starting from scratch.

In addition to experimenting with existing medications for treating infections or cancer, many other molecules and vitamins were studied, including selenium, a mineral essential to human health.

According to Health Canada, « Selenium is naturally found in the environment. It is a substance present in the Earth’s crust and in certain minerals. Selenium is also found in common natural health products, including:

  • Anti-dandruff shampoos
  • Multivitamins and mineral supplements

Selenium is also present in certain foods, including:

  • Nuts
  • Fish and seafood
  • Grain products, including:
    • Flour
    • Cereals
    • Bread
    • Baked goods
  • Offal and muscle meats, including:
    • Liver
    • Heart
  • Some traditional Indigenous foods, including marine mammal meat

Selenium is an essential nutrient for human health. Most Canadians obtain the selenium they need through a healthy diet.

Exposure to high concentrations of selenium can lead to:

  • Hair loss
  • Muscle weakness
  • Breath smelling of garlic
  • Impaired brain function
  • Nail loss and deformities
  • Stomach and intestinal disorders

Research on Selenium’s Effects on HIV

Several studies conducted over the past 30 years demonstrate significant and positive effects of selenium on HIV. In the study titled « The Role of Selenium in HIV Infection » published by Oxford Academic, it is concluded that « Selenium supplementation remains a potential adjunct therapy for HIV, but its clinical role will be defined by future research that must address some of the major remaining concerns. Clinical trials have reported some risks of increased viral shedding with supplementation, but also benefits such as reduced hospitalizations, better viral load suppression, increased CD4+ T-cell counts, and decreased risk of diarrhea. »

In the research titled « Selenium Supplementation in HIV-Infected Individuals » by the National Institutes of Health, it is stated that « We found some clinical evidence that selenium supplementation can delay CD4 decline in HIV-infected patients, thus prolonging the onset of AIDS. However, we did not find quantifiable evidence that selenium supplementation suppresses or reduces HIV viral load. »

Another study from Harvard University, titled « Multivitamin-Selenium Combo May Delay Ill Health and Mortality from AIDS », presents even more intriguing conclusions. It states that « A new study co-authored by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) suggests that a special multivitamin preparation including selenium can significantly slow the progression to ill health or death in people with HIV infection. The results are potentially groundbreaking. If we can slow the progression to AIDS with a special multivitamin preparation, it could save many lives at a low cost. The results showed that those who took daily multivitamins with selenium had a roughly 50% reduced risk of progressing to either ill health or death due to AIDS over a 24-month period. This group also had significantly higher CD4 counts, a sign of a healthier immune system. »

Conclusion

It therefore appears that selenium, taken as part of a multivitamin therapy supervised by a physician, could have very positive effects on the viral load and immune system of people with HIV, even in the AIDS phase. Before starting such a treatment, it is imperative to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if selenium could have adverse effects in combination with other treatments the patient is receiving.

Laisser un commentaire

Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas publiée. Les champs obligatoires sont indiqués avec *

deux × 1 =