Role of Functional Foods and Micronutrients in Reducing HIV Progression

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by a retrovirus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s natural defense systems to fight against infection. Lower levels of micronutrients in serum, intestinal abnormalities and an inflammatory state have been associated with HIV progression which could be ameliorated by micronutrients, prebiotics and probiotics. Some vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, E and folic acid have been found to have the potential to lower the progression of HIV-AIDS. Single dose micronutrient supplementation (vitamins C, E, B₆) and multivitamin/mineral preparations can stimulate adaptive and innate immune defenses reducing the frequency of infections thus reducing the progression of HIV-AIDS. There are various functional foods like soya beans, mushroom, coconut etc. containing functional bioactive components which have also been found to help in the reduction of HIV-AIDS complications.