Reviewers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland assessed the quality of scientific articles on traditional Indian medicine for HIV/AIDS treatment and care. (more…)

In addition to interacting with midazolam (Versed for sedation and anxiety), researchers from the FDA and the NIH studied ginkgo’s effect on the combination of lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra, Aluvia for HIV/AIDS).

But only the midazolam interaction with ginkgo biloba appeared to be significant for patients. (more…)

This survey of male Chinese HIV patients provides an opportunity to review the risk for interactions between Chinese herbal medicine and drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (more…)

 Researchers from the University of California San Francisco studied whether creatine supplementation augments the effects of progressive resistance exercise training on muscle strength, energetics, and body composition. (more…)

Researchers from University of Zurich in Switzerland report that cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) improved both. (more…)

It was reportedly effective when used in addition to pain treatment in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV.

But as Paul Harvey said, “Now, the rest of the story.” (more…)

The immune system depends on this essential trace element.

Many (but not all) diseases respond positively when zinc is used to support immunity or correct a zinc deficiency. (more…)

Selenium is a simple, inexpensive, and safe adjunct therapy in HIV spectrum disease.

That’s the conclusion from a study from the University of Miami.

Here’s the study.

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Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have reviewed natural health products (NHPs) and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Here are the results

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A few years ago I reviewed the safety of acupuncture and concluded that side effects due to acupuncture are uncommon events. This is still the general consensus. However, poor technique and negligence can place patients at risk of side effects that they had not counted on. (more…)

One study reports on flax and flaxseed oil in menopausal women, the second conducts a general review of the literature.

One study is positive; the other is not. (more…)

One of the complications of HIV infection is the loss of complex motor coordination. This can be evaluated using the mirror star-tracing task. There are variations on this test, but essentially the patient traces a star using the outline in a mirror.

Now, a study in 26 healthy people shows that one month of yoga was associated in fewer errors in a modification of the star-tracing task where the star was six pointed with the outline made up of 60 circles (4 mm in diameter).

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Research from Emory University in Atlanta indicates that patients with HIV/AIDS might be using CAM as an alternative to highly active anti-retroviral (HAART) HIV/AIDS treatment regimens.

At least among Black women in Alabama and Georgia. (more…)

Dr. Dan Rudin from Statin Island University Hospital in New York looked at past studies and concluded it’s a “safe and cost-effective measure not to be overlooked.” (more…)

Treatment advances have transformed HIV/AIDS into a chronic manageable disease in which quality of life has become an important health outcome.

This study by researchers from Boston University reports on the benefits of combined relaxation response achieved using soft music plus acupuncture in patients with HIV/AIDS. (more…)

? The media regularly reminds us of the dangers and difficulties in treating infections caused by microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics.

For example, the Washington Post reports that in 2005, MRSA (methacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections killed nearly 19,000 people in the US, compared to 17,000 HIV/AIDS deaths. (more…)

Neuropathic pain occurs when damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibers send incorrect signals to pain centers leading to feelings of tingling, numbness, and shooting and burning pain. It’s very discomforting to the patient and difficult to treat.

Here’s a study where cannabis showed benefit. (more…)

Lime has been used as a contraceptive and vaginal hygiene douche, particularly in Africa.

This study reports the safety of diluted lime juice. But let’s start with some background. (more…)

Elevated triglyceride blood levels are a common finding in people with HIV. And the levels tend to get higher during treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

A new study shows the effectiveness of taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements in these patients.

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Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV, and it’s often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Patients experience muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.

Here’s what people use to manage the discomfort. (more…)