HIV/Aids centre

Defy the HI virus with good nutrition

Although a cure for the dreaded HI virus has not been uncovered yet, there are still some simple and practical ways to keep your immune system strong.

Nutrition is a key factor in fighting any illness. The South African Aids activist, David Patient, defied all medical odds and lived a healthy life with the virus for over 23 years by relying on a good diet, exercise and an unbending will to live. Patient was examined and studied by top HIV and Aids researchers, including all three of the co-discoverers of the virus, for 11 years after being diagnosed to find out why he stayed healthy for so long.

Patient was on anti-retroviral treatment initially, but decided that it did not agree with his body and subsequently stopped the treatment. However, he strongly believed in anti-retroviral medicines and was adamant that they should be made more available to people who are infected. He also believed that the right foods, such as local produce containing high levels of zinc, beta carotene and selenium, should be taken with these medicines in order to work in the right way.

If you are HIV-positive, you may want to consult a nutritionist who specialises in HIV and Aids to help you make good food choices using the foods that you know or have heard of, and give you advice about food safety.

An HIV nutritionist can also help you:

• Prevent or treat wasting
• Monitor your lean muscle mass
• Manage cholesterol and triglycerides, blood sugar or liver enzymes
• Manage side-effects
• Recommend vitamins and other supplements
• Clarify information and recommend herbal and alternative therapies.

To find out more about how to get the most out of your food, call us on 0861872862 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.