Food can be a good way to help treat AIDS because it helps strengthen the immune system and helps control and coexist better with the side effects of antiretroviral drugs, which are essential for combating HIV.
The use of medications is paramount for the treatment of AIDS because they reduce the chances of opportunistic infections, but feeding is equally important because it helps prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver failure or heart disease, strengthens the immune system and even helps to minimize the side effects of antiretrovirals, controlling the evolution of the disease and improving the quality of life.
Essential care with diet
In general, a healthy, varied and colorful diet is recommended, and it is important to keep the weight well controlled to avoid losing too much weight and becoming malnourished or an exaggerated increase in weight that may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Therefore, the consumption of anti-inflammatory foods such as orange, acerola and linseed, as well as those rich in omega-3s such as tuna, sardines and chia, are strongly advised to protect the liver, pancreas, heart and intestine. Learn more examples in: Foods that help fight inflammation.
Another important point in the food of the Seropositive is the hygiene, washing very well the hands and the foods that will be consumed. This is of utmost importance because it reduces the risk of contamination with microorganisms such as Giardia and Samonella and consequently the risk of gastroenteritis. In addition, it is very important to avoid consuming raw foods such as carpaccio, sushi, roast beef or any food misfed due to the increased risk of contamination and intestinal infection.
Natural Remedies for AIDS
Taking Echinacea tea daily is advised to improve the immune system, but although it is natural to consume St. John's wort, also known as St John's wort and Jarsim, which is indicated for treating anxiety, nervousness and depression, it is not is advised when taking medicines such as Efavirenz, Delavirdine or Nevirapine.
How to reduce the side effects of medicines for AIDS
To reduce the unpleasant side effects of antiretroviral therapy drugs, diet can be adapted to each symptom presented, so as not to decrease nutritional status and ensure a good response to treatment, thus improving the health status of the person.
Learn what to do to decrease these unwanted effects without having to change the medicine:
| Side effect | What to do |
| Nausea and vomiting | Prefer small and frequent meals, and avoid any drink at mealtime. |
| Avoid very hot meals and prefer cold ones. | |
| Diarrhea | Avoid fatty foods, very spicy and sugary, like soft drinks and industrialized juices. |
| Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, coconut water or homemade whey if you have vomiting or diarrhea. | |
| Eat low-fiber foods like bananas, shelled apples, toast, bread, rice, pasta, and dry biscuits. | |
| Loss of appetite | Bet on foods like soups or milkshakes and vitamins that do not require much effort to consume. |
| Taste alteration | Use many aromatic herbs, such as turmeric, pepper, oregano, thyme, cumin, bay leaf, rosemary or basil. |
| Wounds in the mouth and esophagus | Avoid acidic foods like citrus fruits, vinegar, salty or hot spicy foods. |
| Weight loss | Add rice flour, milk powder or sour cream in the soup and plates with sauces. |
Why you should be aware of the weight
Those who have the HIV virus need to be always alert to weight to avoid involuntary weight loss and the consequent fragility of the immune system, but also being overweight. Therefore, it is advised to go to the nutritionist every 6 months to adjust the diet in order to maintain a good state of health and consider the use of dietary supplements.
Because just as medical intervention with antiretroviral drugs needs to be adjusted according to the HIV stage, diet can also be adapted to prevent and treat emerging health problems.
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