Hiv: What To Know About Supplements
Dietary supplements may aid in your HIV therapy, but it’s good to be cautious about their medical claims. Here’s what to know before you stock up.
Dietary supplements are used by many people to ensure that they get enough daily nutrients and when youre living with HIV , supplements can play an important role in your HIV therapy. Thats because people with HIV are more likely to develop deficiencies in important micronutrients, and a lack of proper nutrition is known to speed the infection’s progress. Getting the nutrients you need can provide a needed boost to your immune system and support you in your HIV treatment.
But supplements for HIV management come with a caveat: Doctors prefer that people undergoing HIV therapy get most of their nutrients from a healthy diet, not pills, says Margaret Hoffman-Terry, MD, a certified HIV practitioner at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa.
Dietary Supplements in HIV Therapy
In addition to eating as well-balanced a diet as possible, people undergoing HIV therapy can benefit from a daily multivitamin. You can talk to a nutritionist about how to best accomplish this. He or she can look at your diet and make recommendations on what to eat when youre experiencing HIV symptoms that prevent you from having regular meals. You can also discuss whether dietary supplements could help you meet your nutrition goals, and which ones would be most beneficial for you.
Dietary supplements that can assist in HIV therapy include:
What Is The Difference In Between Hydrolyzed Collagen As Well As Collagen Peptides
There is no difference. Collagen healthy proteins are long chains of amino acids. The procedure of hydrolysis breaks them down into peptides, which are simply much shorter chains of amino acids. Collagen supplements are variously labeled as hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides, but they coincide.
How Does The Body Make Collagen
All proteins are made up of tiny molecules called amino acids. When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into its individual amino acids. It then uses those amino acids, along with amino acids it can produce on its own, to make new proteins.
Amino acids are like building blocks, and the body puts some of them together in a specific pattern to form collagen, says Lauri Wright, PhD, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The three amino acids most prevalent in the formation of collagen are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
Although collagen is found naturally in animal foods, your body can still make it if you dont eat meat, dairy, or eggs. As long as you eat a variety of plant proteinssuch as legumes, soy, and quinoayou will get all the essential amino acids your body needs to build collagen, Wright says.
In addition to protein, your body also needs vitamin C, zinc, and copper to help it form collagen. Vitamin C is especially important to regulate the synthesis of collagen, Wright says. Vitamin C is plentiful in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli. You can get copper and zinc from nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Don’t Miss: Do Regular Blood Tests Show Hiv
If You’re Allergic To Seafood Or Eggs It Could Trigger A Reaction
If you have a food allergy, collagen supplements might not be for you. “Some are made from seafood or eggs, so if patients have a shellfish or egg allergy, this is something to look out for,” Chimento says. If you break out in a rash or have any mild allergic reactions after taking a collagen supplement, take an anti-histamine and consult an allergist. Serious allergic reactions like breathing difficulties mean you need to go to the ER, ASAP.
Dangers Of Mixing Medications And Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are widely used and include vitamins, minerals, and other less familiar substancessuch as amino acids, botanicals, and botanical-derived ingredients. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. take some kind of dietary supplement along with a prescription medication.
Combining dietary supplements and medications could have dangerous and even life-threatening effects. For example, drugs for HIV/AIDS, heart disease, depression, treatments for organ transplants, and birth control pills are less effective when taken with St. Johns wort, an herbal supplement. Depending on the medication involved, the results can be serious.
In addition, warfarin , ginkgo biloba , aspirin, and vitamin E can each thin the blood. Taking any of these products together may increase the potential for internal bleeding or stroke.
Dont Assume Natural Means Safe
Some consumers may believe that a so-called natural product, such as an herbal supplement or fish oil, cant hurt them. Natural does not always mean safe.
For example, many weight loss products claim to be all-natural or herbal, but their ingredients may interact with medications or may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.
Precautions for Children and for Those Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Considerations Before Surgery
Don’t Miss: Can You Cure Hiv Early
What Is Collagen: How Does It Work And What Are The Benefits
Collagen is a protein â the most plentiful protein in your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and its production decreases as you age. Collagen is found in your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, skin, intestinal lining and other connective tissues.
Collagen aids in healing and repairing damaged bones and cartilage. Collagen also helps to maintain the resistance, elasticity and mobility of joints and connective tissue.
You can take collagen supplements to improve your collagen levels, and most products consist of hydrolyzed collagen . But these come with a few possible side effects.
Downsides And Side Effects Of Collagen Supplements
Collagen supplements are generally well tolerated, with few reported side effects.
However, some supplements are made from common food allergens, such as fish, shellfish, and eggs. People with allergies to these foods should avoid collagen supplements made with these ingredients.
Some people have also reported nausea and bloating when taking collagen supplements, but these effects werent directly related to the supplements (
Currently, no vegan collagen supplements are available.
However, you can buy supplements that contain the primary amino acids involved in collagen synthesis glycine, lycine, and proline. Some supplements obtain these amino acids from vegan sources.
They may also contain vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which helps your tissues retain water, keeping them lubricated and moist.
Keratin the structural protein in hair, nails, and skin has been suggested as an alternative to collagen, but theres limited research to support keratin products for anything other than topical application on skin and hair .
Keratin is also not vegan, as its derived from the feathers, wool, and horns of various animals.
Summary
Collagens makeup of amino acids is different from those of other proteins, meaning the alternatives are limited.
You May Like: How Does Hiv Change Your Life
Safety Information Regarding Collagen Tablets
Collagen tablets may not be safe for everyone. Different kinds of collagen can affect people differently. Collagen from chicken can cause an allergy reaction in people with allergies to chicken or eggs. Collagen from shark cartilage is used by some people to increase their calcium. Calcium is a natural mineral in your body. Too much calcium could be unsafe for some people. These include people with kidney conditions. Shark cartilage may also lower blood sugar readings in people with diabetes. There are also some medications that interact with shark cartilage. These include water pills called thiazide diuretics, thyroid medications, antibiotics, diabetes medications and calcium supplements. There are minor side effects with collagen from chicken or shark. Before taking any type of collagen supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you figure out what type of collagen you should take. They can review your medical condition and any other medications you are taking to be sure you are safe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
*The total item count is approximate. The count will be inaccurate when sponsored products are displayed, when multiple sizes or colors of a product are grouped on a single product card, and when the in-stock filter is applied.
Other Unknown Ingredients Might Cause Problems
“Before you take collagen supplements, it is also important to research the brand you are buying and make sure you are taking something that is quality,” says Murphy-Rose. Collagen supplements are classified as dietary supplements, so they aren’t regulated by the FDA, and that could mean it includes ingredients you don’t want. Always talk to your doctor before taking a supplement they may be able to recommend trusted brands that are known to be high-quality.
Also Check: What Does Hiv Aids Do To Your Body
Are Collagen Supplements Safe For Cancer Survivors
Collagen is super trendy. Its actually been quite trendy for awhile now. It seems like every month a new collagen supplement comes onto the market!
People buy into the collagen promise that it can heal the gut, promote hair and nail growth, help with joints, and aid in the integrity of the skin.
I myself used to take collagen supplements. Since, I have changed my tune on them.
In this article, we will explore collagen supplements through the lens of cancer survivors.
Lets get into it.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein. In more detail, it is an insoluble, fibrous protein that makes up about of the protein present within the human body.
With the majority of collagens , molecules are packed together and then form thin and long fibrils. These fibrils act as supporting structures. They actually ANCHOR each other. This is what gives skin its strength and elasticity.
Here are some key things to know about collagen:
1. It occurs throughout the entire body. You will mainly find it in bones, skin, and connective tissues.2. Collagen production declines with age and exposures to certain environmental factors like too much UV radiation from the sun as well as smoking.3. Some types of collagen fibrils can be stronger than steel!
How do collagen supplements work?
Collagen works by breaking down into amino acids and then absorbing into tissues.
The research on collagen is still early and new. For people without cancer, it is generally considered safe and non-toxic.
What Are Emerging Therapies For Hiv/aids
- *Metformin, the diabetes drug, can maintain glucose metabolism and reduce cardiovascular risk factors associated with antiretroviral therapy.
- Cytokine therapy is being researched to restore normal cytokine signaling that is essential for immunologic activity and is disrupted by HIV infection.
- Hormone restoration therapy, including growth hormone, sex hormones, and dehydroepiandrosterone , may benefit patients with HIV.
- Attempts to create an HIV vaccine have been ongoing.
Also Check: Does Walgreens Do Hiv Testing
What Role Does Collagen Play In The Body
Collagen is a type of protein. The word collagen derives from the Greek word kolla, which means glue. And true to its definition, collagen really is like an adhesive that holds many of the bodys tissues together. Skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilagewhat are commonly known as connective tissueare made up of collagen, says Keith Baar, PhD, professor of molecular exercise physiology at the University of California, Davis. When your body makes more collagen, these tissues are healthier, thicker, and spongier, he says, so theyre better able to support and protect your joints.
Where a lack of collagen may be most noticeable is in the skin. Collagenalong with elastinis what supports and sustains the dermis , says Maritza Perez, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at New York Citys Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and member of the Skin of Color Society board of directors.
As you age, your body becomes less efficient at making collagen, and getting too much ultraviolet light from the sun accelerates the natural decline. Sun exposure leads to collagen breakdown and results in less new collagen being produced, Perez says.
In people with fairer skin, collagen breakdownevidenced by wrinkles and sagging or crepey skinbecomes visible around age 50, but in some people with darker skin , it may happen a decade later.
Collagen Supplements Vs Protein
Its important to note that you dont need to eat collagen or take collagen supplements to support your bodys collagen levels or bone health.
In fact, you can help your body make collagen and maintain healthy collagen levels and bone tissue by simply including enough high quality protein, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C, and zinc in your diet .
Eating a balanced diet with a bit more protein is especially helpful for maintaining muscle tissue and bone as you get older. Experts recommend consuming more than 0.36 grams of protein per pound of your body weight for this purpose .
To support this, combine this protein-rich diet with physical activity, especially resistance training and weight bearing exercise .
Summary
Collagen supplements may help promote the health of the skin and skeletal system and may help improve symptoms related to osteoarthritis. Theyre considered safe on their own but may contain other ingredients that arent appropriate for everyone.
Its impossible to prevent all age-related collagen loss, but it is possible to slow down the process.
As mentioned above, diet and other lifestyle factors can significantly affect your bodys collagen production.
Smoking cigarettes and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol negatively affect collagen production, as does following a diet high in ultra-processed foods and added sugar .
Don’t Miss: What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hiv
Collagen Deposition And Quantitative Cd4+ T Cell Assessment In Lymphoid Tissue
A trichrome stain using the Masson method was performed in each case to identify collagen fibers. CD4 immunohistochemical technique was carried out using both the automated immunohistochemical system TechMate 500 and the EnVision system . The slides were incubated with the primary antibody for 30 minutes .
Collagen deposition and CD4+ cells were quantified from interfollicular areas as previously described , using Olympus Cell-B Basic Imaging Software .
What Is Marine Collagen
The excellent thing about aquatic collagen is that its very easy for the body to procedure and take in.
Anyone on a vegan or rigorous vegetarian diet plan can not take collagen supplements since its constantly sourced from some kind of animal item.
Unlike basic jelly, bovine collagen and marine collagen do not have any kind of pork-derived products so they are suitable for any person on a kosher or halal diet regimen.
You May Like: What Are Signs Of Hiv Virus
Collagen Might Make You Feel Bloated
If you feel uncomfortable after taking a collagen supplement, know that you arent alone. “Some people may feel mild bloating or heaviness in their stomach,” Chimento says. As your body’s stomach acids break down the collagen in supplements, you might experience some wind, queasiness, or a feeling of weight in your abdomen. This should pass relatively quickly, as it’s part of the digestive process.
What Are The Benefits Of Collagen Supplements
Each serving of VitaPost Collagen Complicated provides restoring hydrolyzed collagen. Collagen supplements are not just helpful for your skin however likewise for your hair, nails, and also joints. It can assist with joint discomfort as well as joint inflammation as well as making you really feel a lot more youthful.
Don’t Miss: Is It Difficult To Contract Hiv
Facial Lipodystrophy Treatment Life
Poly-L-lactic acid – based injectable gives HIV/AIDS patients suffering from disfiguring facial lipodystrophy hope. Dr. Cheryl M. Burgess talks technique.
Cheryl M. Burgess, M.D.Cheryl M. Burgess, M.D., was among the first dermatologists in the United States to inject HIV patients suffering from disfiguring facial lipodystrophy with poly-L-lactic acid . The Washington D.C.-based dermatologist says using the filler, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat facial lipodystrophy since 2004, has become the mainstay of treatment and a quality-of-life saver for these patients.
READ: Fillers last longer with Botox
Ironically, use of life-saving highly active antiretroviral therapy is associated with lipodystrophy syndrome, also known as lipoatrophy. Dr. Burgess, lead author on one of the first U.S. papers on the use of PLLA for HIV-associated lipodystrophy in Feb. 2005, in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology . In it, she reported that from 15% to 80% of patients on HAART develop facial lipoatrophy within 10 months of starting the therapy.
The sometimes extensive facial fat-wasting that results is among the most stigmatizing complications of HIV, and the disfigurement often leads to poor body image, low self-esteem and depression, according to Dr. Burgess.
INTERESTING: Human collagen composite compared against commercial fillers
ALSO READ: Subcutaneous bumps a bacterial consequence of fillers
NEXT: Technique
May Promote Heart Health
Researchers have theorized that collagen supplements may help reduce the risk of heart conditions.
Collagen provides structure to your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Without enough collagen, arteries may become less flexible and elastic .
This may lead to atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by the narrowing of your arteries. This condition may lead to heart attack and stroke .
In a 6-month study, 31 healthy adults took 16 grams of collagen daily. They had experienced a significant reduction in measures of artery stiffness from the studys beginning to its end .
Additionally, their levels of HDL cholesterol rose by an average of 6%. HDL is an important factor in the risk of heart conditions, including atherosclerosis (
Nevertheless, more studies on collagen supplements and heart health are needed.
Read Also: How Long Is The Window Period For Hiv
Foods That Contain Collagen
Foods that contain gelatin, such as bone broth, provide collagen. Gelatin is a protein substance derived from collagen after its cooked .
Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animals. Thus, foods such as chicken skin, pork skin, beef, and fish are sources of collagen .
Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, so you should also be sure to eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and bell peppers .
More research is needed to determine whether eating collagen-rich foods helps increase collagen levels in your body, as they may not have the same benefits as supplements.
Digestive enzymes break down the collagen in food into individual amino acids and peptides. However, the collagen in supplements has already been broken down, or hydrolyzed, which is why its thought to be absorbed more efficiently than collagen from foods.
Summary
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. You can increase your intake of collagen by taking supplements or eating animal foods and bone broth. However, absorption from food may not be as efficient as from supplements.
Collagen supplementation provides a variety of health benefits.