HIV Support Group
HIV (also known as human immunodeficiency virus, and formerly known as HTLV-III and lymphadenopathy-associated virus) is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system which can lead the syndrome known as AIDS. Many of the problems faced by people infected with HIV result from failure of the immune system to protect from opportunistic...
In an effort to try and help others understand the functions and uses of herbs, vitamins, aminos and other natural supplements, I will attempt to explain the differences, simply. I AM by no means an expert, however I have been using "Alternative Medicines" for over 11 years and have read and studied A LOT in an effort to maintain my own health. "Alternative Medicine" has been the only weapon I have used in my battle against HIV. I have had HIV for at least 20 years so.... I KNOW just how BEneficial proper nutrition and herbs are to maintaining health.
It is easy to get overwhelmed and confused when using natural therapies so having a basic understanding of what the differences are may help to alleviate that.
First and foremost it is important that you understand that natural therapies work best over time. They differ from prescription meds in that they often do not offer immediate relief. This is one of the main reasons people stop trying these remedies, because they don't feel or see any difference straight away. It is imperative that you give natural therapies at least 1 month before you will start to notice any positive effects.
That BEing said, I will attempt to explain the differences in some of the different options out there.
*Vitamins- Vitamins are essential to life. Your body cannot manufacture vitamins, they need to be obtained through food and/or supplementation. Vitamins are either water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins (C & B Vitamins) must be taken into the body daily as the excess is excreted. Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in fatty tissue so monitoring fat soluble vitamins is essential as you can get too much.
*Minerals- Minerals are essential to every living cell on the planet. Minerals cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained through food or supplementation. Minerals belong to two groups: macro minerals and trace minerals. Both are essential for good health. Minerals are stored primarily in the body's bone and muscle tissue and can become toxic if too much of one mineral is ingested over a prolonged period of time. Minerals work in synergy with one another and are best taken together in a multi-mineral formula, i.e. Taking extra calcium may cause a depletion of magnesium. Minerals are difficult to assimilate into the body so the best source for minerals is from food or in a colloidal form.
*Amino Acids- Amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins. Proteins are chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. There are about 28 commonly known amino acids, which combine in various ways to create hundreds of different proteins. Some amino acids can be made by the body, about 80% of the amino acids needed by the body are made in the liver. The remaining amino acids (essential amino acids) must be obtained from the diet and/or supplementation.
*Antioxidants- Antioxidants are a group of vitamins, minerals, herbs and enzymes that help to protect the body from the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that can cause damage to cells. We are constantly bombarded by free radicals generated by our polluted environment. Free radical damage is thought to be the basis for the aging and disease process by many scientists.
*Enzymes- Enzymes are energized protein molecules that play a necessary role in almost all of the biochemical activities of the body. We cannot exist without enzymes. Each enzyme in the body has a specific function that no other enzyme can fulfill. The body can manufacture enzymes but enzymes can also be obtained from food. Enzymes are extremely heat sensitive so one must eat raw foods to obtain enzymes or supplement with enzyme formulas. Supplementing the body with enzymes allows the body to use it's energy for other purposes.
*Herbs- Herbs are plant based substances that contain powerful ingredients which can help heal the body. Herbs are usually made from the leaves, roots, berries, flowers or bark of plants. Herbs can be dried, made into compresses, ingested in a tea, expressed into essential oils, and/or made into extracts using water and or alcohol to express the active ingredients. Herbs can be very potent and may interact with medications so it is imperative that you let your health care professional know if you are using herbs.
*Natural Food Supplements- Natural Food Supplements are substances found in nature that are beneficial to the body. They may provide a natural source of certain vitamins and minerals, be strong antioxidants, and/or a source of necessary fiber. Some examples of Natural Food Supplements are Bee Pollen, Chlorophyll, Essential Fatty Acids, Barley Grass, Flaxseeds, Lecithin, Acidophilus, etc.
When using natural therapies it is imperative that you understand what you are using the particular substance for. For instance, taking a multi-vitamin/mineral compound to aid the body in defending itself and carrying out vital functions is something you can do every day, particularly if you have a poor diet. Taking an herb like Cat's Claw for it's ability to stimulate white blood cells is something you should do for structured amounts of time. Your body will start to become accustomed to certain chemicals and they will lose their desired effect. Taking an herb like Ginko Biloba for it's ability to carry extra blood to the brain is different than taking Ginko for it's antioxidant ability. Cycling off herbs and amino acids is imperative to maintaining their effectiveness. A good rule of thumb is 3 months on an herb or amino acid, 1 month off.
Supplementing your diet with natural substances is something you can do every day. If you are using supplements for their nutritional value you can continue to do this as they will continue to always offer the same nutrition. It is recommended that you find several natural sources to include in your diet as different chemicals have different synergies with other chemicals.
Supplementing your diet with fiber should be done seperately from other medications and or natural supplements. Fiber can and will absorb a lot of the chemicals in such things. It is best to take fiber supplements at least 2 hours before or after other medications and or natural supplements.
Amino Acids work best on an empty stomach and when taken in combination with B and C vitamins with a large glass of water. Amino Acids are very powerful "medicines" when taken singly, for certain conditions. Do not take single amino acids for longer than 3 months without cycling off of them for at least one month.
Vitamins and minerals are best taken together as they work synergistically. Supplementing with specific Vitamins or Minerals for their desired effects is best done when all the other vitamins and minerals are in balance. For instance, Vitamin B is broken down into many other B vitamins (thiamine, choline, Riboflavin, etc.) Supplementing the diet with a B complex vitamin and then adding extra B3 (niacin) may help to lower cholesterol, however taking too much niacin may cause liver damage if taken for a prolonged period of time. Eating foods high in Niacin may be a better solution for obtaining this particular B vitamin. Herbs that contain Niacin include alfalfa, catnip, licorice. Taking herbs for their nutritional benefit, rather than for their medicinal benefit is different and the same principles are not necessariy in effect.
A good rule of thumb to follow is: if taking a supplement for medicinal reasons cycle on and off of it to maintain it's efficacy. If taking a supplement for nutritional reasons prolonged use is usually just fine. There are usually many different herbs that will offer the same or similar medicinal benefits so changing herbs is fairly easy. A lot of the supplements you take may depend on their availability and/or their price. If taking a supplement for nutritional reasons, continued use is usually fine, but there will always be exceptions.
Last but not least, eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Include live, raw foods as much as possible. There is no substitute for proper health as a healthy diet. We literally ARE WHAT WE EAT.
BE WELL.
It is easy to get overwhelmed and confused when using natural therapies so having a basic understanding of what the differences are may help to alleviate that.
First and foremost it is important that you understand that natural therapies work best over time. They differ from prescription meds in that they often do not offer immediate relief. This is one of the main reasons people stop trying these remedies, because they don't feel or see any difference straight away. It is imperative that you give natural therapies at least 1 month before you will start to notice any positive effects.
That BEing said, I will attempt to explain the differences in some of the different options out there.
*Vitamins- Vitamins are essential to life. Your body cannot manufacture vitamins, they need to be obtained through food and/or supplementation. Vitamins are either water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins (C & B Vitamins) must be taken into the body daily as the excess is excreted. Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in fatty tissue so monitoring fat soluble vitamins is essential as you can get too much.
*Minerals- Minerals are essential to every living cell on the planet. Minerals cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained through food or supplementation. Minerals belong to two groups: macro minerals and trace minerals. Both are essential for good health. Minerals are stored primarily in the body's bone and muscle tissue and can become toxic if too much of one mineral is ingested over a prolonged period of time. Minerals work in synergy with one another and are best taken together in a multi-mineral formula, i.e. Taking extra calcium may cause a depletion of magnesium. Minerals are difficult to assimilate into the body so the best source for minerals is from food or in a colloidal form.
*Amino Acids- Amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins. Proteins are chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. There are about 28 commonly known amino acids, which combine in various ways to create hundreds of different proteins. Some amino acids can be made by the body, about 80% of the amino acids needed by the body are made in the liver. The remaining amino acids (essential amino acids) must be obtained from the diet and/or supplementation.
*Antioxidants- Antioxidants are a group of vitamins, minerals, herbs and enzymes that help to protect the body from the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms that can cause damage to cells. We are constantly bombarded by free radicals generated by our polluted environment. Free radical damage is thought to be the basis for the aging and disease process by many scientists.
*Enzymes- Enzymes are energized protein molecules that play a necessary role in almost all of the biochemical activities of the body. We cannot exist without enzymes. Each enzyme in the body has a specific function that no other enzyme can fulfill. The body can manufacture enzymes but enzymes can also be obtained from food. Enzymes are extremely heat sensitive so one must eat raw foods to obtain enzymes or supplement with enzyme formulas. Supplementing the body with enzymes allows the body to use it's energy for other purposes.
*Herbs- Herbs are plant based substances that contain powerful ingredients which can help heal the body. Herbs are usually made from the leaves, roots, berries, flowers or bark of plants. Herbs can be dried, made into compresses, ingested in a tea, expressed into essential oils, and/or made into extracts using water and or alcohol to express the active ingredients. Herbs can be very potent and may interact with medications so it is imperative that you let your health care professional know if you are using herbs.
*Natural Food Supplements- Natural Food Supplements are substances found in nature that are beneficial to the body. They may provide a natural source of certain vitamins and minerals, be strong antioxidants, and/or a source of necessary fiber. Some examples of Natural Food Supplements are Bee Pollen, Chlorophyll, Essential Fatty Acids, Barley Grass, Flaxseeds, Lecithin, Acidophilus, etc.
When using natural therapies it is imperative that you understand what you are using the particular substance for. For instance, taking a multi-vitamin/mineral compound to aid the body in defending itself and carrying out vital functions is something you can do every day, particularly if you have a poor diet. Taking an herb like Cat's Claw for it's ability to stimulate white blood cells is something you should do for structured amounts of time. Your body will start to become accustomed to certain chemicals and they will lose their desired effect. Taking an herb like Ginko Biloba for it's ability to carry extra blood to the brain is different than taking Ginko for it's antioxidant ability. Cycling off herbs and amino acids is imperative to maintaining their effectiveness. A good rule of thumb is 3 months on an herb or amino acid, 1 month off.
Supplementing your diet with natural substances is something you can do every day. If you are using supplements for their nutritional value you can continue to do this as they will continue to always offer the same nutrition. It is recommended that you find several natural sources to include in your diet as different chemicals have different synergies with other chemicals.
Supplementing your diet with fiber should be done seperately from other medications and or natural supplements. Fiber can and will absorb a lot of the chemicals in such things. It is best to take fiber supplements at least 2 hours before or after other medications and or natural supplements.
Amino Acids work best on an empty stomach and when taken in combination with B and C vitamins with a large glass of water. Amino Acids are very powerful "medicines" when taken singly, for certain conditions. Do not take single amino acids for longer than 3 months without cycling off of them for at least one month.
Vitamins and minerals are best taken together as they work synergistically. Supplementing with specific Vitamins or Minerals for their desired effects is best done when all the other vitamins and minerals are in balance. For instance, Vitamin B is broken down into many other B vitamins (thiamine, choline, Riboflavin, etc.) Supplementing the diet with a B complex vitamin and then adding extra B3 (niacin) may help to lower cholesterol, however taking too much niacin may cause liver damage if taken for a prolonged period of time. Eating foods high in Niacin may be a better solution for obtaining this particular B vitamin. Herbs that contain Niacin include alfalfa, catnip, licorice. Taking herbs for their nutritional benefit, rather than for their medicinal benefit is different and the same principles are not necessariy in effect.
A good rule of thumb to follow is: if taking a supplement for medicinal reasons cycle on and off of it to maintain it's efficacy. If taking a supplement for nutritional reasons prolonged use is usually just fine. There are usually many different herbs that will offer the same or similar medicinal benefits so changing herbs is fairly easy. A lot of the supplements you take may depend on their availability and/or their price. If taking a supplement for nutritional reasons, continued use is usually fine, but there will always be exceptions.
Last but not least, eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Include live, raw foods as much as possible. There is no substitute for proper health as a healthy diet. We literally ARE WHAT WE EAT.
BE WELL.
Esp with winter colds coming on in this hemisphere May I suggest you start with a very simple thing. EsterC, not just any type of vitamin c but ester c becasue it stays in the body longer and 2,000 mgs per day (I take 500 mg 4x a day) is equal to 10, 000 mgs of regular C. It has been shown that vitamin c in high doses has killed viruses in the test tube! So ther you go something any one thing for starters will help. This can turn into a really interesting thread if we let it!