Deficits of nutrients have been linked to a declining immune system and reduced survival among some HIV positive people. There may be many factors that lead to the development of nutrient deficits. Here are a few possibilities:
To try to confirm that low intake of nutrients is a factor in the development of nutrient deficiency, researchers in Miami, Florida, performed a study.
The research team interviewed 39 subjects, all of whom were HIV positive drug users. The profile of subjects was as follows:
Subjects who had very low intake of zinc were also likely to be eating insufficient amounts of food.
Zinc is a mineral that is very important for the health of the immune system. Zinc-rich foods include seafood, particularly shellfish, as well as nuts and seeds.
In this study, researchers found that HIV positive drug users are at high risk for developing deficiencies of zinc and perhaps other nutrients. Inadequate intake of food was linked to lack of income and "social barriers to food-aids" (meaning food stamps). Because zinc is a mineral that is needed by the immune system, its also likely that zinc deficits have an impact on survival of PHAs, particularly in the setting of multiple nutrient deficits.
REFERENCES
1. Dardenne M. "Zinc and immune function.", Eur J Clin Nutr 2002 Aug;56 Suppl 3:S20-3.
2.Campa A, Yang Z, Sales S, Phillips JC, et al. Inadequate food an micronutrient intake in HIV+ drug users. XIV International AIDS Conference, July 7-12, 2002, Barcelona. Abstract ThPeF8206.
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