Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Selenium and other trace minerals reduce AIDS mortality

A recently published study of AIDS patients in Bangkok has confirmed an idea that has been around for at least a decade: that a deficiency of selenium and other trace minerals plays an important role in AIDS mortality. Researchers gave one group of AIDS patients a supplement containing a variety of essential trace substances, including selenium, chromium, copper, and other minerals and vitamins; they gave a similar group of patients a placebo supplement. After 48 weeks the mortality rate was 63%-74% lower (depending upon T-cell count) for those taking the supplement.

Links to articles:

Multi-vitamin cuts Aids deaths

A randomized trial of the impact of multiple micronutrient supplementation on mortality among HIV-infected individuals living in Bangkok.

---

Another recent paper suggests that selenium availability is major factor in determining the spread of AIDS.

Link to article:

Why HIV-1 has diffused so much more rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa than in North America.

---

Selenium supplements also seem to improve the psychological profile of patients on HIV medications.

Link to article:

Psychological burden in the era of HAART: impact of selenium therapy.

---

Finally, here are links to two useful reviews of selenium supplementation:

Selenium-based pharmacological agents: an update.

The argument for increasing selenium intake.