A new study out of Rwanda suggests that taking a daily dose of selenium – the antioxidant-packed essential trace mineral – has extremely beneficial properties for HIV-positive individuals.
Researchers found that selenium supplementation significantly reduces the rate of CD4 cell count decline. This type of white blood cell, which is crucial in protecting the body from infection, is attacked and destroyed by the HIV virus. When this occurs rapidly, HIV progresses into full-blown AIDS.
The main source of selenium in the body comes from food. However, the amount of selenium that a food contains depends on where it is grown or raised, and thus varies significantly around the world.
Rwanda’s position on the African continent puts it in an area of selenium-deficient soil. Additionally, according to UNAIDS, 4,500 deaths occur per year in Rwanda due to AIDS related illnesses.
Dr. Don Warren, former president the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), acted as a guide for the study. He notes that he had previously seen “remarkable results with routine daily selenium supplementation” in other selenium-deficient locales like the slums of Nairobi and Kenya.
Knowing this, the two-year randomized controlled Rwandan trial had 300 HIV+ patients—who had not begun antiretroviral therapy (ART)—take daily selenium supplements. The results showed a remarkable 43.8 per cent decrease in the rate of CD4 decline.
“The outcome of this study could have significant positive impact in the early treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa and other affected areas,” says Warren.
Moving forward, additional study will be required to see if similar benefit occurs for HIV-positive patients in regions that are not naturally selenium deficient.
