AIDS update

Better Nutrition (1989-90), Jan, 1989 by Frank Murray

Researchers at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, have demonstrated the antiviral effect of garlic or garlic extract using both human and animal cells. "Allium sativum [garlic] has been used traditionally to treat a wide variety of infectious diseases," the researchers said. "Garlic extract has been shown to have antiviral activity against influenza B and herpes simplex type 1 virus in cell culture, and influenza virus strain AO/RR8 in infected mice if the garlic extract was administered 15 days before inoculation with the virus. We have determined the antiviral activity of garlic and a new commercially available garlic product. Garlicin, against seven different animal viruses in two-cell lines: herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2), vaccinia virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus in Vero cells; parainfluenza type 3 (Para-3), poliovirus type 1, and human rhinovirus type 2 in HeLa cells...."

A combination of five mushrooms, which has been used in Japan for many years, is now available in a product sold in health food stores. If offers promise to some AIDS patients, as well as those without the disease, because it reportedly benefits the kidneys, lungs, spleen and stomach. The ingredients include shiitake, ganoderma, a medicinal tree fungi; tremella, which usually grows on hardwood trees; polyporus and poria.

As scientists work frantically to eradicate the AIDS virus, victims of the disease do what they can to alleviate the symptoms. Doctors, patients, and even those who have no direct connection to AIDS are starting to notice the success of some holistic therapies - therapies that can mean fewer side effects, lower cost and most importantly, the return to a normal lifestyle for AIDS patients.

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Drug Study." The New York Times, October 14,

1988. 3. Linebarger, Charles. "Tragedy at San Francisco General."

San Francisco Magazine, July-August, 1988. 4. Tsuchihashi, N., et al. "Effects of Spiralina n Caccum

Content 'n Rats." Chiba Hygiene College Bulletin,

Vol. 5, No. 2, February 1987. 5. Sato, Sally J., R. Ph., and Mirtallo, Jay M., M.S., R.Ph.

"Nutritional Support for the AIDS Patient." U.S.

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196th National Meeting of the American Chemical