AEGiS-AP: Mineral Linked to HIV Survival

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Mineral Linked to HIV Survival

The Associated Press; 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 - Tuesday, September 30, 1997; 6:05 a.m. EDT
Will Lester, Associated Press Writer

MIAMI (AP) -- Researchers say they have increasing evidence that a deficiency of the mineral selenium -- found in foods including whole grains, seafood and liver -- can dramatically lower the survival rate of people infected with HIV.

Scientists say the mineral plays a key role in maintaining a healthy immune system, and has been shown to fight cancer.

A study at the Center for Disease Prevention at the University of Miami's School of Medicine showed that HIV-infected patients with a deficiency of selenium were almost 20 times more likely to die of causes related to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The study of 125 HIV-infected men and women, published Tuesday in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, demonstrated that selenium plays a critical role in the progression of AIDS. While other nutrients such as vitamins A, B12 and zinc affect survival, deficiencies in those nutrients produce a much lower risk of mortality, the study found.

The Miami study lasted for 3 1/2 years and measured nutritional factors in the 125 people every six months. Twenty-one of the people died from HIV-related causes.

"It is known that nutritional deficiencies develop in the course of HIV infection," said Marianna Baum, assistant dean of the medical school and head of the selenium research. "Sometimes that occurs because of the lack of appetite. Sometimes people eat, but don't absorb nutrients."

But, she said, those suffering from infections like HIV have an increased need for some nutrients, "especially antioxidants, that cleanse some toxic elements in the bloodstream and the liver."

Based on this research, Baum's team is starting to study whether selenium treatment can slow progression of the disease and improve survival chances for people infected with HIV.

Copyright 1997/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
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