Ashley Nobles

Nutrition 1-020-001
HIV/AIDS Research Paper

November 28,zOtL
HIV/AIDS and Nutritional Needs

What is HIV? HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and primarily affects the immune system. The immune system helps protect our body by fighting off viruses, bacteria, infections, and fungi. HIV destroys and weakens the cells in the immune system, creating more

susceptibilityto infections and sickness. HIV is spread through sexual contact, blood
transfusion, pregnancy (from the mother to the baby), and sharing a needle with someone who
is infected

with the virus. Using a latex condom can help reduce the risk of being infected with

HIV during sexual encounters. A mother can spread the virus

to her fetus during delivery, labor

and even breastfeeding. You cannot get HIV from a person infected if you share a glass with

them or shake hands with them. This is a common misconception, which makes living with the
virus difficult for those who have it.

Like

the cells in our bodies, HIV needs to reproduce as well. lt does this by attaching

itself to the cells in our body called CD4/T-Cells. After attaching itself to these cells, it sends instructions (RNA) to the cell which allows it to spread. HIV then uses an enzyme (helper) called
reverse transcriptase. This enzyme helps the CD4/T-Cell read the HIV instructions (RNA) and

turn them into new instructions(DNA)that the CD4/T-Cell can understand. After this, HIV uses
an enzyme called integrase. This enzyme helps HIV integrate its new instructions (DNA) into the DC4/T-Cell's instructions (DNA). The CD /T-Ce|lfollows these new instructions
HIV material, which

to make more

then uses an enzyme called protease which helps assemble new HlV.

What is AIDS? AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. lt is the most
advanced stage of HlV. lf someone is infected with HIV and does nottreat it, it eventually results in AIDS. HIV can be kept under control with the help of a physician and a regular diet and medication plan. The first step to controlling the virus would be to choose foods that would help contribute to the constraint of the virus. Not only is choosing proper foods important, but

it is also important to properly prepare them. Undercooking meats and eating certain aged
foods can cause serious infections that can be life threatening to someone with HlV.

Along with every virus or disease, certain guidelines are set in order for a person to get

appropriate nutrition and medicinal treatment. Upon receiving diagnosis for HlV, a patient
should see a doctor immediately to create a medical regimen that works for them. Medications have been modified to regulate HIV cell reproduction and to protect the body from infection and illness. A doctor can create a regimen that fits the patients schedule and meets their needs. Though it is a drastic change physically, a doctor will work with his/her patient to help make the change in routine easier.

Nutrition is defined as the provision, to cells and organisms, of materials necessary to

support life. HIV not only requires propertreatment by a physician but also requires a different

nutrition plan. Eating healthy is an essential to maintaining health for someone with HlV.
Essential vitamins include Vitamin B(group), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, lron, Selenium, and Zinc. Each

one individually provides different supports toward the body and against HlV. Vitamin B(group) helps keep the immune and nervous system healthy. There are many foods that include these

vitamins. Some of the most common that we eat daily include broccoli, avocados, white beans,

potatoes, and meats. The daily requirements for someone with HIV for vitamin B are as follows:
RDA

for B12 is 1--3 mcg, RDA for 86 is about 100 mg.

Vitamin C is a vitamin commonly found in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits

as

well as tomatoes and potatoes. Vitamin C helps protect the body from infection and helps the
body recover from illness or infection. RDA for Vitamin C is 90-100 mg. The vitamin that

protects cells and helps fight off infection is Vitamin

E,

found in green leafy vegetables,

vegetable oils, and peanuts. lt is limited to 11-15mg per day.

Getting enough iron is crucial. Deficiency can cause anemia and can decrease absorption of oxygen. When someone has anemia, their body does not have enough healthy blood cells

and/or hemoglobin quantity, which can cause dizziness, chest pain and many other symptoms.
You can find iron in green leafy vegetables, beans, chicken and many other common foods.

Selenium and zinc are minerals that are needed to help the immune system. Foods that contain selenium and zinc are whole grains, meat, fish, beans, and peanut butter. Since vitamins and minerals aren't easily absorbed by people with HlV, it is recommended to see a doctor regularly

to evaluate whether or not medications are working to help with absorption.

Eating well can minimize symptoms associated

with HlV, lessen the side effects of

medications, and improve resistance against infections and illness. Maintaining regular calorie

intake is even more important for someone who has HIV because it decreases the risk for infection and helps support the immune system and vital organs. According to recent studies,
people with HIV have higher protein needs than people without it. Someone with HIV should

choose fully cooked meats as well as low-fat dairy products and beans in

orderto meet proper

protein needs.

Eating too

little of your calorie needs can result in advancement of the disease, which

makes it even harder for your body to fight off infection and illness. Registered Dieticians are

there to help you build a diet plan and stick to it each day to ensure you are getting the calories you need in order to maintain current status or health.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 33 million people worldwide live

with HlV. There

is

currently no vaccine available to prevent HIV but as stated before,

antiretroviraltherapy can control progression to AIDS but cannot cure it. There are currently
clinical trials which not only study nutrition needs of a person with HlV, but also help discover
ways

to prevent or cure the disease.

Previously, exercise was not recommended for someone with HIV or AIDS, however

current studies show exercise has a positive effect just as it does on a person who does not
have the disease. Past beliefs that exercise would negatively affect someone

with

HIV

summarized that it would lessen ability of the immune system even more, which has been disproved. Though research on exercise is still being performed, the current recommendations
are to exercise regularly

for at lease 30 minutes per day.

ln conclusion, one with HIV or AIDS should learn as much as they can about the disease,

watch what they eat making sure to get plenty of needed nutrients, and including exercise into

their daily regimen. Knowing everything you can about the disease will help you make educated
decisions about treatment you are getting and routines being changed. Making sure you are

eating proper amount of calories filled with vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates are

essentialto staying on top of the disease. Exercise is recommended and should be part of an
everyday regimen planned in part by you and your doctor.

Works Cited

A Solid Fou ndation. More

About H lV,< http://www. healthywithhiv.com>

HIV lnSite. Diet and Nutrition <http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/hiv?paee=pb-dailv-diet#Sgx> America n Dietetic Association.

H

lV

AIDS, <http:/lwww.eatrieht.org>

Office of Dietarv Supplements. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet, <http://ods.od.nih.sov> Benefits of Exercise for People with HIV/AIDS. Exercise, <http://www.ncpad.org> HIV/AlDS. Research, <http://www.niaid.nih.gov>