* PHILIPPINE MAN QUESTIONS HIS ANTI HIV VIRUS MEDICATION REGIMEN?

"hello doc.  how are u?  can i call?  just a shortwhile pls.  I WISH TO CALL U COZ I HAVE SOME IMPORTANT QUERIES"  (Mr SPinoy, Philippines)

Dear Mr. SPinoy,

I am glad we were able to chat on Facebook video, this past weekend, November 11, 2016, concerning your antiretroviral therapy (called HAART).  You mentioned that your HAART therapy consists of Aluvia with Efavirenz.  Aluvia is a combination pill of Lopinovir/Ritonavir, and Efavirenz is a non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor medicine (NNRTI).   Your inquiry was whether this was the correct medication regimen to continue to take for combating the HIV virus. 

Latest HAART guidelines suggest that if a patient has a CD4 count less than 500, that person could be placed on one of the following three medication regimens.

1) 2 NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor)  +  1 PI (protease inhibitor)

2) 2 NRTI + Efavirenz

3) 2 NRTI + 2 PI

NRTI medications include the following not limited to Zidovudine (also called AZT), Didanosine, Stavudine, Lamivudine, Tenofovir), and NNRTI medicines include  Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Doravirine, Etravirine, and Delavirdine.  PI (Protease Inhibitors) are not limited to the following which include simeprevir, lopinovir, ritonavir, boceprevir, darunavir, telaprevir, fasamprenavir, indinavir, saquinavir. 

When I asked what your latest CD4 count and viral load were, you said you will "recheck these levels in December 2016".  You also mentioned that "my Cd4 count go up 100 points since last time."   Although the updated guidelines would  change your HAART therapy, my recommendation is for you to stay on the Aluvia + Efavirenz combination treatment.  Why, you might be wondering?  To become healthier and contain AIDs (Acquired  Immune Deficiency Syndrome) side effects, a physician wants the patient's CD4 count to increase and the viral load to decrease.  Thus, as long as your CD4 count continues to increase and the viral load continues to decrease, STAY on this  antiretroviral therapy regimen.  Furthermore, you mentioned "not having" any adverse symptoms, such as rash, confusion, neurologic conditions...etc., from your present medications; thus, you should  STAY on this HAART protocol.  Your medications are making you healthier and providing you a longer life. 

In the end, visit with your doctor, seek counsel, and make a decision that is best for you.  I am humbled by your trust in my opinion.  God Bless you and God Bless the Philippines.

Respectfully,

Dr. Roshin

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WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHLOROPHYLL?

“ What is the benefits of clorophyll 20% and does it increase the red blood cells.”                      (Lauren, New Jersey)

Chlorophyll is a fat soluble, pigment, found in plants, providing all types of vegetation the ability to absorb light during photosynthesis, a necessary process for plant growth.   Chlorophyll gives plants its green color thus, to obtain chlorophyll in your diet, eat green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, parsley, kale, collard greens, brussel sprouts, blue-green algae, cilantro, green tea, wheatgrass, broccoli, peas, green grapes, green apples, kiwi, honeydew melon, celery, asparagus, and sea vegetation (seaweed). 

Why eat chlorophyll containing foods?  Chlorophyll has anti-oxidant properties, helps wound healing, is effective against Candida albicans fungus, reduces swelling during inflammation and arthritis, has anti-cancer properties, reduces appetite, and treats constipation.

Your question, “does it increase the red blood cells” the answer is yes, chlorophyll has been shown to restore and replenish red blood cells.  Chlorophyll has a ring structure similar to hemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen); thus, chlorophyll has been used in combination with other herbal agents as a treatment for anemia.  More specifically, a derivative of chlorophyll, called chlorophyllin, is highly effective against anemia, providing a healthy level of bioavailable iron in the body. 

You are taking (from a bottle) synthetically made “chlorophyll 20%.”  Although this form is beneficial; remember, there are plenty of natural foods you can eat to aid in maintaining an optimal level of iron in states of anemia. 

Thank you for your question and trust.  God Bless you and God Bless New Jersey and thanks for your work in your community. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Roshin






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