E-DRUG: Micronutrient supplementation in HIV patients
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Hey e-druggers,
I am writing from Kenya. With reference to the HIV situation here, and the challenge that they face trying to preserve life, I find that positive living and good nutrition are the pillar stones in the management of HIV.
If you look at the challenge though, even the ability to think and act positively only happens for well fed individuals. When the major population affected with HIV is still the economically challenged, it becomes imperative that developed and underdeveloped countries try and look at effective but AFFORDABLE nutritional interventions to try and not only improve productivity and help PLWHA live a more active and positive life, but also increase the span from being HIV positive to being fully blown AIDS.
Also ARV's might be the least researched drugs in the management of HIV. But since beggars cant be choosers and since there are not many options that have been brought about by the scientific community in the alleviation of HIV, its a sour pill to take. Since it does the job of helping to improve the life span of individuals, but arent we as health practitioners looking to add years to life and not life to years.
After the story of VIOXX, you never know what we are heading for in the future with drugs. Certainly good nutrition is one important step in that direction to reduce the intake of drugs.
Although the biggest concern in PLWHA is that they have issues with reducing appetite, loose bowels, which actually make them nutritionally deficient. Hence I feel a good strong micronutrient supplement in the form of a multivitamin mineral combination can definitely help, since many a times appetite, feeling good etc are all a component of the levels of these vitamins.
Would like to know what do u guys feel about my feeling that we are pulling the cart before the bull in the management of HIV. I feel if more money is pushed towards testing individuals and if tested positive, they are recommended good diet and a strong MVM supplement, they should be more productive and will definitely be able to take the mantra of positive living better. In the short term they will be more productive, which would help nations like Kenya and reduce the burden of aid to support these patients and in the long term gives these patients more time and hope to see a possible cure for HIV.
I feel more NGO's should take this up seriously.
Regards and thanks,
Daniel
Pharmacist and Regional Mgr East Africa
Mega Lifesciences ltd.
daniel.philip@gmail.com