12 Remedies That Help To Prevent HIV and Treat its Symptoms

HIV is a sexually transmitted disease which affects the immune system and can significantly decrease your life expectancy if left unmanaged. There’s currently no cure for HIV which means that prevention is far better than trying to manage your symptoms. That’s why we’ve created this article about home remedies to prevent HIV and treat its symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with HIV you should speak to your doctor about medical treatment as herbal or home remedies alone won’t be enough to treat your condition fully, but there are remedies that can help reduce your symptoms, side effects of treatment, and slow down the progression of the disease, helping you to live a longer, healthier life.

# Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet of plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein is the best way to help keep your immune system strong. The more you can support your immune system, the more you’ll reduce your HIV symptoms.

# Avoid Raw Meat, Eggs, and Fish

Food-related illnesses, like food poisoning, can especially potent in people with HIV. To reduce your risk of contracting a food-related sickness, avoid undercooked meats, raw fish or seafood. You should also try to avoid eggs if you can as these also carry a higher risk of food poisoning.

# Take Care with Animals

Some animals can carry parasites which could potentially lead to infections in people with HIV. You should make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling any pets or cleaning litter trays.

# Whey Protein

Whey protein is a cheese byproduct. Recent studies seem to suggest that it can help to reduce diarrhea – a common side effect of HIV treatment. It can also help people suffering from HIV gain weight, which is otherwise difficult to maintain for people with HIV.

# Avoid High-Risk Behaviors

Avoiding risk behaviors such as unprotected sex or sharing needles are key to the prevention of HIV. The disease is spread through bodily fluids so you should also take care when tending to any injuries of someone infected with HIV.

# Bananas

A study from the University of Michigan, suggests that Ban Lec, a concentrated extract of banana lectins, could one day be used to help treat HIV. Lectins bind to sugars, and as the HIV virus contains large portions of sugar, the lectins in bananas could prohibit the replication of the virus. The evidence is still only very minimal and doesn’t mean that eating bananas will help treat your HIV, though it won’t hurt to eat one a day.

# Lean Protein

Our bodies need lean proteins to build muscles and maintain a strong immune system. Lean beef, poultry, fish, and eggs. Nuts are also a great source. Including these regularly into your diet can help to boost your immune system and counteract the HIV virus. It can also help you gain a little weight if you become underweight in the later stages.

# Whole Grains

Whole grains are a great source of energy and when you’re suffering from HIV or undergoing treatment, fatigue is a common side effect. Brown rice and brown bread are types of whole grains that are packed full of fiber and vitamin B which help boost both your immune system and energy levels.

# Limit Your Sugar and Salt Intake

HIV can significantly increase your risk of heart disease both as an effect of the disease and the treatment. Too much sugar or salt can also heap added pressure on your heart so you should try to cut as much as you can out of your diet. Cutting around 10% out of your daily diet makes for a good start.

# Have Healthy Fats in Moderation

Good fats are a great source of energy as well as a source of calories. This means if you’re trying to maintain some weight in the later stages of HIV you should try and include them into your diet – in moderation, of course. The best sources of good fats are nuts and avocado.

# Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is a great home remedy for many things, and will help you manage your HIV symptoms. You should be getting between eight and ten glasses of water each day. This will make sure you get plenty of nutrients into your body and flush out any used medication to stop them building up. If you suffer from diarrhea or nausea as a result of your treatment you may find that you need to drink more to stay hydrated.

# Eat the Right Amount of Calories

With HIV, one of the main symptoms of its later stages. But in the early stages, many people have the opposite problem. Being obese can also further weaken your immune system which will make your HIV symptoms worse. Make sure you get your recommended daily intake of calories to maintain a healthy weight as this will be a great way to manage your condition and help you stay healthier for longer. Your doctor may recommend a nutritional supplement if you have unwanted weight loss.