There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but some alternative medicines can complement HIV treatment (ART).

More than 70% of HIV-positive persons have turned to alternative medicines in the hope of getting cured.

This comes from despair and hope because allopathy declares its inability to cure and only promises to control the virus.

The ideal thing to do would be to combine the alternative treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Not taking ART would be suicidal. The combination of alternative medicine with ART is called “complementary” or “integrative” medicine.

How does alternative medicine help HIV patients?  

As mentioned above, the HIV alternative medicine may play no role in curing but offers other benefits.

  • It provides strength to the immune system.
  • It provides relief from the HIV symptoms and the side effects of HIV medicines, thereby improving the quality of life.

Alternative medicine supplements that can help

Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)

Anti-HIV drugs such as protease inhibitors and NNRTIs have the side effect of increasing the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

To combat this, taking 2 grams of fish oil twice a day will bring down these levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. You will have to make do with those fishy burps. However, exceeding the dose is not recommended as it can suppress the immune system and can increase blood clotting time.

Whey protein

Whey protein is a mixture of globular proteins extracted from whey, which is a liquid by-product separated from milk during cheese production.

There is evidence to show that whey helps some HIV-positive people gain weight. It may also increase CD4 count (improves immunity) and fight off diarrhea, which is one of the side effects of some anti-HIV drugs.

Other alternative therapies for HIV include:

Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle that vitamins, minerals, and herbs given in small quantities can bring about a cure. It uses animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic substances in its medicines.

Ayurvedic medicine treatment is based on using plant-based medicines. Some animal-based products are also used such as milk, bones, and gallstones. Minerals such as sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate, and gold are also used.