HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted virus that spreads by contact with infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood or during childbirth or breastfeeding. AIDS is a chronic syndrome caused by HIV, in which your immune system is compromised, making it hard for your body to fight many infections. It is important to note that not everyone that is HIV positive has AIDS. Although there is no cure for HIV yet, following a strict antiretroviral therapy and doing your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle can help you improve your overall health.
HIV/AIDS and Nutrition
When you are HIV positive, your entire body is affected. Your metabolism which can be increased by up to 10%, resulting in unwanted weight loss. In addition, other symptoms related to a decreased immune system, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores and other digestive problems can affect your eating habits and even change the way certain foods taste. All of these symptoms together can seriously affect your eating patterns and may even result in you becoming malnourished, which can have a negative impact on your immune system and make you even more susceptible to complications related to HIV/AIDS.
Treatment for HIV/AIDS
Today, HIV is treated and managed by a strict regimen of a combination of antiretroviral medications that can block the virus' functions in many different ways. There are different types of antiretroviral medications, each affecting a different function of the virus: NNRTIs or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; PIs, or protease inhibitors; NRTIs, or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; and entry or fusion inhibitors, which can block the virus' entry to the immune system's cells. These medications have allowed people with HIV to live long lives and have helped them manage the disease. Unfortunately, though, these medications come with an array of side effects that can also affect other aspects of your health and nutritional status.
Anti-retroviral Medication and Nutrition
Although these medications can be very effective in keeping your HIV in check, they each have many side effects that can negatively affect how your body absorbs and processes food. Some medications can cause some of the fat in your body to shift, accumulating in the stomach and back area while being depleted in your face and limbs. Other medications can even affect your heart, your kidneys or your liver, restricting your food options even further. This is why it is very important for you to know not only how much to eat, but what kinds of foods to eat in order to maintain a healthy immune system and lead a healthy life. It is also important that you personalize your diet to meet your own specific needs. Talking to your doctor or to a registered dietician can help.
General Nutrition Guidelines
The main purpose of your diet should be to maintain a healthy immune system, and thus to help you prevent any unwanted infections and help you fight them off if you are infected. It should also help you manage some of the side effects of the medications and the disease, such as nausea, diarrhea, fatigue or any glucose or lipid level abnormalities. In general, there are certain foods that can help you boost your immune system. These include yogurt, which can help you keep a healthy digestive flora; garlic, which has antibacterial properties; turmeric, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties; nuts and seeds, which are full of antioxidants and other phytochemicals; green tea, which is also rich in anti-oxidants; and plenty of fruits and vegetables which are rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating a variety of these foods with your meals each day can help strengthen your immune system and can help your overall health.
