Nutrients and HIV - Letters to the Editor

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  July, 2002  

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Editor:

I read with interest the past issue dedicated to "Nutrients and HIV" (April 2002, #225). I wrote an article on the topic of nutrients for HIV and examined some of the controversies surrounding this virus, which was published in the Townsend Letter (Dec. 1996, #161, page 50) and entitled "Reexamining AIDS: Potential Non-Toxic Protocols." People interested in that article can look up the back issues or go to: http://www.brinkzone.com/aids.html. In the article, I outlined most of the nutrients mentioned in your recent issue, as well as a particular emphasis on (properly processed) whey protein. I was amazed to find, 6 years after my article, not one full article on whey as a major breakthrough for HIV in an issue dedicated to nutrients for HIV. Whey is perhaps the most effective nutrient known so far for increasing glutathione levels, reducing viral loads, as well as positively affecting immunity, and reducing cancer rates in animal models. Whey has an impressive preponderance of data behind it supporting these claims. People interested in reading my articles on the topic can view them at my main web site at: http://www.brinkzone.com/. In my view, no issue dedicated to nutrients and HIV is remotely complete without emphasizing whey as a key nutrient in HIV.

When we talk about whey we are actually referring to a complex protein made up of many smaller protein subfractions (peptides) such as: Betalactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, immunoglobulins (IgGs), glycomacropeptides, bovine serum albumin (ESA), and minor peptides such as lactoperoxidases, lysozyme, and lactoferrin. Each of the sub fractions found in whey has its own unique biological property. Until recently, separating these subfractions on a large scale was either impossible or prohibitively expensive for anything but research purposes. Modern filtering technology has improved dramatically in the past few years, allowing a handful of companies to separate some of the highly bioactive peptides from whey, such as lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase. Many of these sub fractions are only found in very minute amounts in cows' milk, normally at less than one percent. For example, though one of the most promising subfractions for preventing various diseases, improving immunity and overall health, lactoferrin makes up approximately 0.5 - 1% or less of whey protein derived from cows' milk (whereas human mothers' milk will contain up to 15% lactoferrin).

Sales of whey proteins has continued to increase worldwide and there has is in fact, been a shortage of whey as producers attempt to meet the high demand. As has been stressed in my previous articles on whey, it's essential to understand that not all whey proteins are created equal and the biological activity of whey is directly related to how it is processed. Perhaps most exciting, researchers are finding possible medical uses for whey that are quite unexpected and different from whey's traditional role as an immune booster and anticancer functional food. As with all cutting edge science, the new research is preliminary but exciting nonetheless. For example, whey may be able to reduce stress and lower cortisol and increase brain serotonin levels, improve liver function in those suffering from certain forms of hepatitis, reduce blood pressure, in addition to its potential effects on HIV. Below are just a few of the new studies examining a wide range of potential uses for high quality whey proteins, including yet another recent study looking at HIV.

Whey and HIV

The importance of glutathione (GSH) for the proper function of the immune system cannot be overstated. GSH is arguably the most important water-soluble anti-oxidant found in the body. The concentration of intracellular GSH is directly related to lymphocytes' reactivity to a challenge, which suggests intracellular GSH levels are one way to modulate immune function. GSH is a tri peptide made up the amino acids Lcysteine, L-glutamine, and glycine. Of the three, cysteine is the main source of the free sulfhydryl group of GSH and is a limiting factor in the synthesis of GSH. Because GSH is known to be essential to immunity, oxidative stress, and general well-being, different strategies to supplement cysteine have been used to increase glutathione levels in HIVinfected individuals. For example, NAC is a well-known product recommended for increasing levels of GSH. However, whey appears to be the king of nutrients able to raise GSH. One recent study evaluated the effects of supplementation with two different whey pro tein formulas on GSH levels and oxidative stress and immune status in HIV-infected patients. Using a prospective double-blind design, 30 patients - 25 male and 5 women - with H1Y infection were randomized to receive 45 g per day of one of two whey formulas for two weeks. The researchers looked at various indices of oxidative stress such as:

* Plasma concentrations of total, reduced and oxidized GSH

* Plasma levels of TNF-alpha

* Interleukins 2 and 12