A 2006 first-person claim of curing HIV with fasting, diet, supplements and spiritual practices conflicts with current medical evidence. Today, antiretroviral therapy (ART) controls HIV and prevents sexual transmission when viral load is undetectable (U=U). Rare stem-cell transplant cases have produced long-term remission but are not generalizable cures. Lifestyle measures can improve health and adherence, but they do not replace ART. Ongoing research aims for a safe, scalable cure.

The 2006 claim

In 2006 I wrote that a program of fasting, a raw-food diet, exercise, meditation, sunlight, prayer, deep breathing and supplements had "cured" my HIV. That account reflected my experience and hope at the time. It also repeated a claim that conflicts with what medical science says about HIV today.

What science says now

HIV is a viral infection that attacks the immune system. As of 2025 there is no widely available, proven cure for HIV. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus so effectively that blood tests show "undetectable" levels. People on consistent ART with an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit the virus to partners (the public health message: U=U, undetectable = untransmittable).

There are, however, very rare and complex exceptions where people were reported to have long-term remission after specialized stem-cell transplants with a rare CCR5-delta32 donor mutation. Those cases involved treatment for cancer and carried high risk; they are not repeatable, safe cures for the general population and are not a substitute for ART.

Research continues on gene editing, broadly neutralizing antibodies, therapeutic vaccines and other approaches aiming for a safe, scalable cure. None of these is a proven, general cure yet. 1

Where complementary practices fit

Lifestyle measures you described - good nutrition, regular exercise, stress reduction, safe sun exposure for vitamin D, breathing exercises and spiritual practices - can help overall health and quality of life for people living with HIV. They can support mental health, fitness and immune resilience, and make it easier to adhere to medical care.

But these practices have not been shown to eliminate HIV from the body. Stopping ART or relying on unproven regimens risks viral rebound, disease progression and onward transmission.

Practical, evidence-based guidance

  • If you have HIV, stay connected to a clinician and remain on ART unless a qualified provider advises otherwise.
  • Use reliable prevention tools: consistent ART (for people with HIV) and biomedical prevention such as PrEP for HIV-negative people at risk. Long-acting injectable options are available in some settings. 2
  • Discuss any supplements or major diet changes with your HIV care team to avoid interactions with ART.
  • Seek mental-health and social support to address stigma and emotional impacts.

Bottom line

Personal stories of improvement matter emotionally, but they do not replace rigorous evidence. As of today, ART is the standard, life-preserving treatment. Research toward a safe, scalable cure continues, and healthy lifestyle practices remain valuable as complements - not cures.

  1. Confirm the dates and exact clinical details of reported long-term remission cases (Berlin patient, London patient) and update phrasing if needed.
  2. Verify current availability and regulatory status of long-acting injectable ART and long-acting PrEP in major jurisdictions as of 2025.
  3. Check the latest clinical-trial milestones for gene-editing and broadly neutralizing antibody approaches toward an HIV cure.

FAQs about Hiv

Can diet, fasting or supplements cure HIV?
No. While healthy eating, exercise, stress reduction and some supplements can improve general health, there is no evidence that these practices eliminate HIV. They are complementary to - not replacements for - antiretroviral therapy (ART).
What is the best current treatment for HIV?
The standard, evidence-based treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART). When taken consistently, ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels and prevent disease progression and sexual transmission (U=U).
Have any people been cured of HIV?
A very small number of people have achieved long-term remission after complex stem-cell transplants for cancer involving special donor mutations. These cases are exceptional, risky, and not a scalable cure for most people with HIV.
Can people with HIV stop medications if they feel healthy?
No. Stopping ART without medical supervision risks viral rebound, illness, drug resistance and transmission. Any change to medication should be decided with an HIV clinician.
How should I evaluate HIV cure claims I find online?
Look for peer-reviewed studies, guidance from recognized public health agencies and comments from HIV specialists. Be skeptical of single-person testimonials that promise cures from diet, supplements or spiritual practices.