Natural ways to boost CD4 levels include supplementing with certain vitamins, such as vitamin D. However, the quickest and most effective way to boost CD4 levels is to start antiretroviral therapy (ART).
A CD4 count is a blood test that measures the number of infection-fighting CD4 T-lymphocyte (CD4) cells in your blood. Untreated HIV infection destroys CD4 cells, so a low CD4 count may indicate HIV infection. However, HIV treatment can increase CD4 levels.
ART helps suppress the HIV virus, which destroys CD4 cells, and researchers continue to study other ways to increase CD4 cell counts, but so far the results have been mixed.
A typical CD4 count is
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that people with HIV undergo ART, a type of drug treatment, to:
- Increase CD4 count
- Suppressing HIV viral load
- Helps prevent stage 3 HIV and HIV-related diseases
The NIH does not recommend other interventions designed to increase CD4 counts outside of clinical trials, stating that none of these interventions have been proven effective in reducing HIV-related morbidity or mortality during ART.
Researchers continue to search for natural ways to increase CD4 counts, but so far most have produced conflicting results.
Vitamin D
A small 2021 study noted that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent CD4 cell death and increase CD4 cell count.
The study looked at the effect of vitamin D on CD4 cell counts in 20 people taking ART for HIV treatment. For eight weeks, one group of participants took 0.5 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D daily, while the control group took a placebo.
There was a significant increase in CD4 cell counts in subjects who took vitamin D. The study authors concluded that vitamin D is effective in increasing CD4 cell counts and recommended vitamin D as an add-on treatment for HIV.
Similarly,
The study found that four months of vitamin D supplementation significantly improved CD4 counts in people with vitamin D deficiency, but not in those with insufficient or sufficient vitamin D levels.
The study authors recommend vitamin D supplementation for children and adolescents with low CD4 counts who are receiving ART for HIV treatment.
multivitamin
Researchers have also looked into whether multivitamins are effective in boosting CD4 counts and promoting other health benefits. So far, the studies have produced conflicting results.
A 2019 study looked at the effectiveness of a multivitamin supplement containing B complex vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E in adults living with HIV in Tanzania. Some participants were on ART and some were not.
Although the study authors did not directly examine CD4 counts, the multivitamin program was associated with better health outcomes across the two groups, including improved survival and lower rates of tuberculosis.
a
The treatment group was given HDMA supplements, and the control group was given a standard multivitamin supplement. The study found no significant differences between the two groups in the following areas:
- CD4 T-lymphocyte levels
- Stage 3: Emergence of HIV
- The beginning of ART
- death
The results of this study show that HDMA supplements were no more effective than standard multivitamins in increasing CD4 counts or slowing the progression of HIV.
Symbiotics
In a 2017 systematic review, researchers suggested that the decline in CD4 cells may be contributed to changes in the gut microbiome. In line with this, they proposed that probiotic supplementation may help heal the gut lining and restore CD4 levels in the gut.
To investigate this theory, researchers reviewed 11 randomized controlled trials that looked at the effectiveness of the following supplements on CD4 cell counts in people with HIV infection:
Overall, the results suggested that probiotic supplements may not change CD4 counts, although two groups – women and those who took synbiotic supplements rather than just probiotics or prebiotics – did experience increases in CD4 counts.
Current research on whether natural methods are effective in increasing CD4 counts has produced conflicting results.
Natural methods that may be effective include vitamin D supplements and synbiotics.
However, the NIH recommends that people with HIV undergo ART to increase their CD4 levels and prevent stage 3 HIV and HIV-related diseases.
The NIH does not recommend alternative interventions to boost CD4 levels outside of clinical trials, stating that none of these interventions have yet been proven effective in reducing HIV-related illness or mortality.
According to the NIH, people on ART usually experience their fastest CD4 cell recovery within the first three months of treatment, with a gradual increase over time.
Most people who maintain viral suppression while taking ART will eventually achieve CD4 levels in the normal range, above 500 cells/mm.3.
The NIH estimates that 15% to 20% of people who start ART when their CD4 count is very low (<200 cells/mm)3 Your CD4 count may remain abnormally low.
Therefore, early treatment with ART represents the best chance of achieving maximal CD4 cell recovery in HIV-infected individuals.
What are the symptoms of a low CD4 count?
CD4 cells activate the immune system and fight pathogens. Having a low CD4 count increases your risk of serious viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. People with low CD4 counts may experience more frequent or severe symptoms of infections, including:
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of infection.
Does Vitamin D increase CD4?
In a 2021 study, researchers found that a supplemental regimen of 0.5mcg of vitamin D daily for eight weeks led to significant increases in CD4 counts.
Similarly,
However, CD4 counts did not increase in adolescents with sufficient or deficient vitamin D levels.
How can I increase my CD4 count fast?
The NIH recommends that people with HIV receive ART as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis to effectively restore CD4 counts as quickly as possible.
Researchers continue to investigate natural ways to increase CD4 count, such as supplementation with vitamin D, multivitamins, and synbiotics, but many of the studies so far have produced conflicting results.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the fastest and most effective way to boost CD4 levels and prevent HIV stage 3. Experts recommend starting ART treatment as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis.
People with low CD4 counts are at higher risk of developing infections. Symptoms vary widely depending on the type of infection, but may include nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Anyone with any symptoms that concern them should see a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially if they have been diagnosed with HIV.
