The University of Miami found a lower HIV viral load in patients who took
selenium supplements for nine months.
Selenium
deficiencies have been recorded in HIV
patients, and evidence suggests the mineral can improve the function of
the immune system.
The Archives of Internal Medicine study suggests the
supplements may be a cheap and easy way to help keep HIV in check.
This
research suggests that selenium supplements may be useful in addition to traditional combination therapy
Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have given HIV patients a longer life expectancy.
However, strict adherence to the therapy is required to keep HIV viral counts low, and there is a risk of side effects.
Therefore, scientists have been searching for alternative treatments to keep HIV under control.
Over nine months, the University of Miami team
gave 91 HIV patients a daily capsule containing 200 micrograms of
high-selenium yeast, and another 83 patients a daily placebo capsule.
The two groups had similar selenium levels at
the beginning of the study, but after nine months levels were higher in
the group taking the capsules containing the mineral.
Those with higher selenium levels in their blood
were more likely to have a lower HIV viral load, and higher numbers of
CD4 cells, which play a key role in fighting off infection.
The researchers said the exact mechanism by which selenium exerts its effects on HIV is not known.
One hypothesis is that selenium''s antioxidant
properties may repair damage done to immune cells by oxygen, which is
produced at higher levels in the bodies of patients with HIV.
Writing in the journal, the researchers said:
"Given the challenges of using conventional pharmacotherapy to achieve
and maintain virologic suppression in HIV-spectrum disease, our results
support the use of selenium as a simple, inexpensive and safe adjunct
therapy."
Roger Pebody, of the HIV charity Terrence
Higgins Trust, said: "We have known for some time that selenium plays a
role in the immune system, but previous studies before combination
therapy didn''t show that these supplements have an impact on HIV.
"This research is more encouraging and suggests
that selenium supplements may be useful in addition to traditional
combination therapy.
"However, we wouldn''t advise that people with HIV should rush out and buy these supplements immediately.
"Decisions on the value of taking supplements should always be made in consultation with your doctor."
Yusef Azad, director of the National Aids Trust, described the research as valuable.
"However, in interpreting this new report, it
must be remembered that antiretroviral therapy is the only currently
effective treatment for HIV.
"Selenium may have a supportive role alongside antiretroviral therapy but it cannot be a treatment in itself.