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A Survey of Micronutrient Supplementation for Patients with HIV
Author(s) -
Greene Michael Todd,
Tam Chick F
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.942.1
Subject(s) - micronutrient , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , environmental health , population , nutritional supplementation , micronutrient deficiency , gerontology , family medicine , pathology
Based on prior research, daily Selenium supplementation can suppress the progression of HIV‐1 viral burden and provide indirect improvement of CD4 count. Research supports the use of Selenium as a simple, inexpensive, and safe adjunct therapy for HIV. The testing hypothesis was, “Would patients with HIV take micronutrient supplements if they would improve their health?” Two study populations were surveyed. The first (n=103) was of university nutrition students who were chosen for their nutritional knowledge and to serve as a reference group. The second (n=88) was of people with HIV. This group may or may not have knowledge and understanding about micronutrients or supplements. All subjects were asked, “Do you think you would take a supplement if you knew it would improve your health?” Results showed that the HIV population had a significant favorable answer to the question when compared to those of the student population. There is a positive attitude to consume micronutrients for people with HIV if by including micronutrient supplementation in their diet would improve their health. For the patient with HIV who wants to have improved health status, micronutrient supplementation may be an answer. All beneficial nutrients should be derived from food, however, it is suggested that people with HIV who take micronutrient supplements will have improved health and quality of life. There was no research support for this study.