Nutrition for Special Groups

Nutrition for Special Groups 3(3+0)

Lesson 48 : Hiv Aids

Micronutrients and HIV

Micronutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV infected persons due to:

• Poor dietary intake
  
• reduced absorption
  
• increased nutrient losses that occur in PLHIV beginning from the early stages of HIV infection

Micronutrient Supplementation

1. The relationship between micronutrient status, multivitamin use and slower disease progression has been documented in studies of PLHIV in the United States and Africa.
2. Study in Thailand (n= 481) – death rate lower in PLHIV receiving micronutrient supplementation (AIDS 2003, 17:2461-2469)

Antioxidant supplementation no significant affect on viral load (Batterham et al , 2001)

Nutrients that affect the immune system:

• Vitamin A, B2, B6, Biotin, Folate, Niacin and Pantothenic acid. Antioxidant, vitamins and minerals
• Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium.
• Infection increases demand for and utilization of antioxidant vitamins (A, E,C) and minerals (zinc, selenium and iron).
• Studies have shown deficiencies in Vitamin A, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, Folate, Iron and Calcium in PLHIV.