The National Research Council Report found that AIDS has not spread to the general population at the rate predicted by the general population at the rate predicted by many experts. HIV infection and AIDS are still largely confined to male homosexuals, intravenous drug users and malnourished, urban poor people. Some people are clearly more susceptible to AIDS than others.
PROSTITUTES AND AIDS
The most striking information concerns female prostitutes in Western nations. It was thought that they would become the vectors by which AIDS would spread to the heterosexual population. A single prostitute could infect dozens of men, who would then infect women. However, the rate of infection for prostitutes is only between 5% and 10% in the New York and Los Angeles. Also, there are three striking facts about the infected prostitutes. With few exceptions, they are intravenous drug users. Among non-drug using prostitutes, HIV infection is almost unknown.
Secondly, in literally only a handful of cases have prostitutes apparently infected their clients. Only about 3% of AIDS cases are attributed to prostitutes. In most of these cases, the client and the prostitute were both drug users. Finally, cases of tertiary transmission are very rare. This is the case where a healthy man is infected by a prostitute, and infects his wife or girlfriend. Reports do indicate that women infected in this manner often fare worse than their husband, although the exact reason for this is not clear.
The implications of these findings are that a lowered immune system, due to lifestyle, drug use or malnutrition, seems to play a very important role in AIDS transmission.
HEMOPHILIACS AND AIDS
Another interesting finding is that hemophiliacs infected with HIV do not develop AIDS as often as homosexuals. It is estimated that about 90% or 15,000 hemophiliacs were infected between 1981 and 1984. One would expect to see about half of these people develop AIDS by now, because that is the proportion of homosexuals, who develop AIDS within 10 years. However, only about 1500 cases have been reported. Also, younger and healthier hemophiliacs develop AIDS at a fifth of the rate of older and less healthy hemophiliacs.
Again, it appears that a weak immune system plays a role in the development of the disease. Homosexuals as a group take more antibiotics and have more infections than hemophiliacs. This may weaken the homosexual’s immune system.
IS HIV VIRUS THE CAUSE?
Research also suggests that the HIV virus is not the cause of AIDS, but merely accompanies the disease. The reason for the speculation is that not everyone who has HIV develops AIDS. Some people apparently develop AIDS without testing positive for HIV. Again, a weak immune system may be more important than the viral infection.
RECOVERY FROM AIDS
There have also been several reports of recovery from AIDS. Well-documented cases have appeared in several health magazines. Not only did symptoms improve, but blood tests actually changed from HIV-positive to HIV-negative and remained negative on subsequent tests. The website www.poz.com informs the public on AIDS prevention and treatment suggests that good nutrition is essential to the treatment and survival of the disease.
• Fighting HIV – Cells and chemicals used by the immune systems require nutrients to fight HIV.
• Protecting the body – Diet may help alleviate HIV symptoms side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and lipodystrophy, as well as metabolic problems like elevated cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar.
• Wasting - Excessive weight loss, decreased muscle mass, and malnutrition continue to be common problems in HIV, despite advances in advances in drug treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The conclusion we are led to from the above is that HIV infection is not like other sexually transmitted diseases. It does not strike randomly. Those who are susceptible have specific high risk factors that facilitate transmission of the disease and/or cause suppression of the immune system. These factors include: 1)anal intercourse or other behaviors of male homosexuals, 2)blood transfusions, 3)regular use of recreational and addictive drugs, 4)repeat use antibiotics, antiviral, steroid hormones or other immune-suppressive drugs, 5)multiple infections, 6)malnutrition, and 7)immune system disorders. As a result, the epidemic is not spreading evenly throughout the general population as was predicted.
The findings suggest that one can do a lot to minimize the risk of HIV and AIDS. Indeed studies in Switzerland and Italy demonstrate that eliminating drug use and malnutrition among infected drug users slows the rate of progression to AIDS threefold compared with those who continue malnourished and on drugs. Drug use (including AZT which can suppress the immune system) and malnutrition are powerful factors that suppress the immune system.
MINERAL ANALYSIS AND AIDS
Hair analysis can provide a rapid and inexpensive screen for an impaired immune system. Indicators to look for include a zinc level below 15 mg%, copper above 5 or below 1.0 mg%, a sodium/potassium ratio less than 2.5, or elevated levels of mercury or cadmium. An unbalanced oxidation rate, either very slow or very fast, indicates poor energy efficiency which also impairs immune system activity. A phosphorus reading above 20 or below 12 mg% indicates excessive protein catabolism. This may also reflect a hidden zinc deficiency and immune system impairment.
These imbalances can be improved through scientific nutrition programs. Proper diet for the oxidation type, correct supplementation, healthful lifestyle and avoidance of immune-suppressive drugs are all important. A hair analysis retest will confirm the changes that have taken place. Although improvement may occur within several months, chronic cases may require up to several years of corrective therapy. In addition to the recommended program, AIDS patients may be given extra amounts of Limcomin, vitamin C and A, and other immune-enhancing nutrients.