Foundation for Integrative

AIDS Research (FIAR)

FIAR, a non-profit organization, sponsors and stimulates interest in clinical trials of herbal and nutritional treatments for people with HIV, AIDS and/or chronic viral hepatitis. The goal was to provide evidence as to whether or not these treatments can lessen symptoms, delay the progression of HIV disease or reduce side effects. FIAR has worked in developing nations where indigenous treatments are used and antiretroviral drugs (ARV) are still largely unavailable. FIAR also seeks to bring ARV, self-empowering information and prevention strategies to such under-served areas.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIAR has been focusing on potential treatments for the disease and reviewing evidence as it develops. You may view the COVID therapeutics review document here (August 16, 2023).

We gratefully welcome input!

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With huge numbers of refugees in the world, the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) is SUPPOSED to be the place people go to receive safe housing and care. For LGBTQ+ refugees in Kenya, the situation is dire and UNHCR has FAILED HORRIBLY for years, destroying their institutional credibility and reputation. UNHCR demanded those who fled Kakuma camp return with promises of security--and they failed while issuing lies. It is a dire situation for LGBTQ+ in Kenya, especially those in Kakuma, but also those in Kenya. In August of 2021, violent criminals set the LGBTQ+ area on fire, destroying their homes and property. UNHCR has done nothing (but aided in having 4 LGBTQ+ refugees arrested!) Your help and attention is desperately needed and our LGBTQ+ friends in Kenya need to be resettled immediately.

After YEARS of entreaties, demonstrations, urgent demands from the global community, in November of 2022, UNHCR released a paper delineating their obligations and challenges (click for pdf). Sadly, their words mean little until they resettle all the at-risk LGBTQ+ refugees trapped in the nightmare of Kenya's hate and homophobia. Many have since fled Kenya--to South Sudan. Out of the frying pan into the fire.

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FIAR participated in the writing and development of legislation for New York State to enact an Institute for Therapeutic Psychedelic Research (ITPR). Unfortunately, we have been profoundly disappointed with Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and her team. The bill was submitted and you may read the text here. A coalition of groups had worked with her office to produce the bill and then an update, developed a budget. She was to have resubmitted the updated bill--and then she simply dropped it. We hope other legislators will see the value in the bill and press forward. At the moment, sadly, and despite the enormous therapeutic potential for interrupting addictions, and the possibility of helping those using too much crystal meth, the bill is dead. Once again, the people betrayed by the sleaze of politicians.

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What We Do

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FIAR is a project-driven organization. Our efforts to facilitate those who wish to make meaningful change in the lives of people living with HIV and hepatitis C continue, with a focus on underserved areas. FIAR studies dietary supplements and other biologic agents. Dietary supplements are defined by the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) and include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, thousands of different botanicals ("herbs"), protein powders, hormones, etc. Other modalities, such as massage, Reiki, spiritual practices may be addressed in the future as FIAR grows and develops.

FIAR's mission

People need better information to help guide treatment choices! Many studies show that a high percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS already use many of these interventions. How do they work? Can they help to manage side effects of drug therapy? Can they slow the rate of progression? FIAR, working with the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis communities, clinics, hospitals, practitioners and organizations around the world to design and implement clinical studies to answer some of these questions and thus help people to make better-informed treatment decisions. Negative results mean people will save money and time. Positive results may encourage coverage under insurance (like ADAP) for greater access and reduced burden of cost on our healthcare systems.

PUBLICATIONS AND NEWS:

An enormous amount of material dating from 1989 has been donated to NYU's Fales Library. Please CLICK HERE for a full list of the donated material.

Our meta-analysis, or review of multiple studies, showed that a simple multi-vitamin can slow HIV disease progression among adults NOT yet on ARV by nearly 50%! This is dramatic. Of course, getting people on ARV is vital, but this simple intervention may save lives. And there is preliminary evidence that a multi can help people who are on ARV (of any age, though care must be taken with infants). Micronturients in HIV: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis in PLoS One, April 2015.

And our findings from our meta-analysis on the use of smoked cannabis in managing peripheral neuropathy: Inhaled cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

We also have a meta-analysis and systematic review on the use of probiotics in HIV disease.

To avoid conflicts of interest, FIAR does not solicit funds from pharmaceutical or nutriceutical companies.

In loving memory of Lynde Francis of the Centre in Harare, Evan Ruderman, Carlton Hogan, Lark Lands, Michael Mooney, Michael Onstott, Fred Bingham, Keith Cylar, Jeffrey Palmer,
and far too many more to list.

Thanks for your interest in FIAR!