Sorry for not posting recently, but I'm an Olympics addict, and am only now coming up for air. Remember my previous posting about a bogus HIV treatment called Sahvid? It's an Indian-manufactured "Ayurvedic" medicine, “helping to fight the effects of hiv/aids the natural way.”
While I convinced NEXT Magazine to pull their ads, Sahvid is still selling the stuff on their website. Turns out there might be poison in those bottles with the pretty red ribbons.
According to a study published in today's issue of JAMA, "one-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic."
If you are HIV positive, I'd strongly advise against using any Ayurvedic medicines, especially since, to my knowledge, none of them have ever been tested for interactions with ARVs.
Interesting comment on Ayurvedic medicines. I take two of them every day and when I don't I feel a difference in how my body reacts to the stress that the HIV meds put upon my body, esp my liver. I use Ashwagandha and Triphala in my diet as well as western herbs for my liver. I'm sorry if it seems that there is some bad, misleading info out there and if it brings up concerns then have them tested if you have the connections to do so. If the tests show there is truth in your concerns then you have a case, if not then if folks wish to take them in conjunction with their HIV meds then that's their concern and between themselves and their health care provider. Years back, when the meds were filled with way too many side effects I didn't take them and wondered around with *0* immunity for 3 years straight and survived. Now I'm on Truvada, Rayataz and Norvir it's a lovely combo with great results but I also supplement with my herbs and vitamins, two of which are considered very old, tried and true Ayurvedic medicines.
Peace to you.
Richard ;-)~