Alejandro Aguilera
Listen Now (or download):
Alejandro Aguilera-Controlling HIV
Sunday, June 6, 2010, 3pm-4pm EST (12noon-1pm PST)
Featured Guest: Alejandro Aguilera
Hosted by: Phiya Kushi
“I am HIV positive. Macrobiotics chose me to follow its Path and not the other way around. I was diagnosed in May 2006, two days after my birthday. I was devastated. Fortunately macrobiotics found me, and I have never had to take anti-retroviral medications.” – Alejandro Aguilera
Alejandro’s HIV symptoms began while on a trip to Turin during the 2006 Winter Olympics. It started as night sweats and a viral rash. Shortly after returning to the US, he caught a cold which kept getting worse. He had to change his shirt at least five times in one night because he was soaked in sweat. As symptoms progressed and being knowledgeable of HIV, he feared the worse. He wept. He had doctors test for everything else and went to three anonymous testing centers. Finally, he was running out of options and while waiting for the anonymous results, he agreed to be tested by my doctors twice. He had no insurance at the time. Out of the five tests, three came back positive for HIV. He then decided to accept the virus now living in my body. He contacted his attorney and closest friends to share the diagnosis. Eventually, in time, he would contact his family.
Alejandro recalled a young Minneapolis bartender suggesting macrobiotics. The bartender had tried it with much success in regards to his condition but had given it up. He also mentioned a homeopath and a bookstore in South Minneapolis.
Alejandro’s soul sister in Minneapolis, Daniella took him that weekend to see the homeopath. It was at “Present Moment” bookstore that Daniella bought his first macrobiotic text for his birthday: Michio Kushi and Alex Jack’s “The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health”. He went home and devoured the entire section on AIDS and found himself agreeing with the precepts and principles. He proceeded to empty his pantry into brown grocery paper bags, and recycled his teflon and aluminum cookware. The next day, he returned unused groceries back to the neighborhood convenience store and then went to Target to buy stainless steel cookware. His next stop was the Wedge Community Coop to buy “MACRO” food. The cashier turned out to be macro and this was the beginning of a mentoring relationship. She would give him first pressure cooker and his first Le Creuset pot. She would eventually take him to Philadelphia to see renowned, Macrobiotic Counselor, Denny Waxman.
Alejandro witnessed his viral load diminish from over 300,000 copies per milliliter of blood down to a bit over 9,000 copies per milliliter. He also has a fluctuating immune system, CD4 count that keeps him in very good health. He has only had the flu once since becoming macrobiotic, and the only symptom which reminds him of his condition (and his humble existence) is the hairy oral leukoplakia on his tongue.
Emotionally and spiritually, Alejandro moved from anger and punching walls, to fear and endless tears, to a place of peace, light, service and redemption. He now suggests to others that: “If you want to LIVE and fully embrace your purpose in Life, then give macrobiotics a chance to change your point of view. It did that for me.”
Note: The information provided on this website and on conference calls is not intended as health advice nor as a replacement of your Physician, Nutritionist or Health Professional Advisor. If you have a health issue please seek the appropriate medical attention.
3 Responses to “Alejandro Aguilera – Controlling HIV with Macrobiotics”
I am greatful for providing this most informative health line to all of us so we can help ourselve and people we meet and care about. I look forward to hearing this call, as I know I will be able to help others who are receptive that have HIV and other illness. I hope I continue to be reminded of upcoming calls. I am wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with the Hepatitus C virus, and cleared the virus. I have lived with this liver and reduced my viral load but have not reversed the condition? Sincerely, Diane Jasmine
Alejandro, thank you for a great, inspiring story!! i really admire your strength and positive attitude toward the life : )
Alejandro, thank you for being so open and sharing your story. We all appreciate it.
I was wondering if you could give us an update on how you are doing now without antiretroviral therapy for 8 years. It seems your clinical course followed a very typical path where your viral load was very high (over 300,000 copies per milliliter of blood) during the first three months after infection and then decreased to a level between 4,000 and 10,000 copies per milliliter for 8-12 years. The CD4 count typically lowers during these years to a level of 200-400 CD4 cells/microliter blood while these T-cells try to keep the viral load constant. Then after about 8 years, the CD4 cells are too few to keep the virus suppressed, and the viral load quickly rises back to high levels.
As you would now be at that 8 year mark, I think we would all love to hear how the macrobiotic diet has changed your viral course at this point without drug therapy. Thank you so much.