Nutritional support plays a critical part in the essential management of patients suffering from AIDS. Weight loss occurs in the majority of patients with AIDS. The AIDS virus triggers a cascade of body events that ultimately result in the reduction of food intake, decreased absorption and use of nutrients and increase in metabolic needs. As a result, malnutrition ensues, leading to the weakening of the immune system and an increase in the susceptibility of an AIDS patient to infections.
Energy
The World Health Organization estimates that there is a 20 to 30 percent increase in energy requirements in AIDS patients to maintain an adult body weight. In children suffering from this disease, an increase of 50 to 100 percent of the normal energy requirement is essential to meet the energy demands of a young patient's body that is experiencing weight loss.
Protein
Most nutritional guidelines for AIDS require an increase of 12 to 15 percent of the daily protein requirement, according to the WHO. The organization further states that the data that support this guideline are insufficient and that these recommendations were not a result of thoroughly investigated studies.
Fat
Although most AIDS patients do not require additional fat requirements, in some cases, there is a need for supplementation. Patients who are receiving antiviral medications and those who are experiencing persistent diarrhea due to their condition may be required to increase their fat consumption to compensate for their fat losses.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients play an important role in the immune function and control of infectious diseases in patients with AIDS. Observations by the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Nutrition and HIV/AIDS suggest that decreased blood level of these micronutrients coupled with decreased dietary intake may result in a faster progression of AIDS, a higher mortality rate and an increased risk for virus transmission. Vitamin B complex vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E can improve the immune system function, prevent diarrhea and improve pregnancy outcomes in adult patients suffering from AIDS. In children with AIDS, vitamin A supplementation every four to six months can help reduce the all-cause mortality and morbidity cases resulting from diarrhea.
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