HIV & Nutrition (18 Nov '07)

Dear Kim, I read your article in The Post with keen interest. I would like to have more details on what type of diet and food a person living with HIV is supposed to be eating regularly. Have a good day. Charles.

Hi Charles, For people infected with HIV, the most logical approach to staying well is to eliminate all known causes of immune suppression and to implement things that will stimulate and increase immune function (as well as those that will inhibit viral activity). From a dietary point of view this means eliminating all junk foods from your diet, as well as sodas, alcohol, refined foods, sugar, foods with additives and colourings, salt and saturated fat, while also reducing animal protein. These foods have a negative effect on immune function.

Instead, include plenty of raw vegetables (just make sure that they are properly washed), organically grown if possible (avoid foods that have been treated with pesticides and other sprays). Raw foods are particularly important because cooking depletes foods of their vital enzymes. Try sprouting lentils, beans and seeds as this drastically increases their nutritional and enzyme content and are great for strengthening the body overall. Sprouting is simple! Soak whatever you are sprouting, e.g. lentils, overnight in water. In the morning discard the soak water and rinse the lentils thoroughly with fresh water. Allow excess water to drain and then place lentils in a container away from sunlight. Rinse the lentils 3 times per day. A small “tail” will start to grow. After about 3 days the sprouts will be ready. They will keep for about one week in the fridge. Make sure to rinse them before eating.

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, rape, pumpkin leaves, bondwe, etc. are great, as are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Also consume yellow and deep-orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash and yams. Not to forget garlic and onions, both powerful immune stimulants, that also aid in digestion, endurance and strength. For its immune properties, garlic is best eaten raw.

In addition there are plenty of nutritional and herbal supplements that have proved very helpful with regards to HIV/AIDS (also in conjunction with conventional anti-retroviral drugs). However, it is best to seek professional advice from a trained therapist, so a program can be tailored for your specific needs.  Nonetheless, please don’t underestimate the power of foods in helping to support your body as well as the potential detrimental effects that certain foods, sugar, alcohol and tobacco have on your body. There is a great inexpensive little book produced by NZP+ called “Food for People Living with HIV/AIDS”, which outlines some of the basics and give lots of good tips (Kwatcha House, Lusaka; 0211-237619).

Finally, never give up hope. There are thousands of AIDS survivors (epidemiologists call them ‘long-term non-progressors’), who are free from all symptoms and lead absolutely normal lives after being identified as HIV positive. Always keep a positive attitude!

Where is the smell coming from? (24 Feb '08)

Hi Kim, I have been HIV positive for 5 years without any problems. To my surprise, I can smell the drugs through the urine and the sweat. I went to see a doctor and was advices to test for fasting sugar, cholesterol, viral load and CD 4 count - the results were fine. Now Kim, could you please explain where this smell is coming from. Thanks, MSA

What you are experiencing is a common phenomenon and nothing that should cause any alarm. Pharmaceutical drugs are essentially chemicals, and just like any toxin, they must be processed and detoxified by the body. The major organs that help achieve this detoxification (or cleanse) are your liver, colon, kidneys, lungs and skin. So in your case, it seems that your kidneys and skin have been working hard getting rid of residues from the medications that you have been taking. Similarly I have met many people who have experienced smelling alcohol off their skin after a heavy weeks drinking. Once again, it’s just one of the ways that the body uses to get rid of chemicals and toxins, in this case alcohol. Indeed, I have even had patients who have initiated detoxification programs and as a result started smelling drugs (pharmaceutical) that they have not taken for years!

What you are experiencing is actually a very positive sign as it indicates that these organs of elimination are indeed active. To further help your body through this process, I would recommend that you make sure to eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruit. These foods have valuable vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants that will help and protect your body as it detoxifies. Make sure to drink plenty of water as this will further help your kidneys flush out chemicals in your urine. I also recommend drinking lemon juice (mixed with a bit of water) first thing every morning before breakfast. There are many supplements and herbs that are particularly helpful in helping your body detoxify safely and effectively. My favourite two include Chlorella and Milk Thistle.