Presenter: Cherine Usherwood – BSc. Nutrition (Hons) RD/Nutritionist Personal Trainer

OBJECTIVES By the end of the presentation,

participants should:

Have a general understanding of Nutrition.Understand the role of nutrition in the

management of HIV/AIDS

HIV“Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome”A specific type of virus (a retrovirus)HIV invades the helper T cells to replicate

itself.No Cure

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV is the virus that causes AIDS Disease limits the body’s ability to fight

infectionA person with AIDS has a very weak immune

systemNo Cure

Four ways to protect yourself?

AbstinenceMonogamous RelationshipProtected SexSterile needles

WHAT IS NUTRITION?Nutrition is the process by which the

body utilizes food. It includes:Eating the appropriate kinds & amounts

of foods for the body’s needsDigestion of foods so the body can use the

nutrientsAbsorption & use of theses nutrientsElimination of wastes

GOOD NUTRITIONGood nutrition and healthy eating can help to

maintain and improve the performance of your immune system

Keeping this system strong is especially important when you are infected with HIV

NUTRITION BASICSThe foods we eat provide us with nutrients:proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins,

minerals and water.Proteins are the building blocks of our

bodies.

Fats & carbohydrates provide energy

Vitamins & minerals help put the building block in place and release the energy

HEALTHY FOOD CHOICESYou need to eat a variety of foods from the

six food groups;StaplesLegumesVegetablesFoods from animalsFruitsFats and Oils

ProteinsProteins are the building blocks of our bodies

Fats and CarbohydratesFats and Carbohydrates provide energy

Vitamins and MineralsVitamins & minerals help put the building blocks in place and release the energy

WaterWater helps the digestion process and makes it easier for the body to extract nutrients from the food you eat.

NUTRIENTS WORK AS A TEAM

All the nutrients depend on each other just like the members of a team

If your immune system does not have enough of one nutrient, it cannot function efficiently even if it has more than enough of the other

TEAM NUTRIENTSCarbo-

hydratesProteins

Water

Minerals Vitamins

FatsTEAM

NUTRIENTS

NUTRIENTS WORK AS A TEAMTo do this you will need to eat a variety of

food from the six food groupsMix your food choices everyday and aim for

varietyVariety is important because all the foods

within the same group do not have exactly the same nutrients

THE VEGETARIAN WAY OF LIFEMany HIV+ people decide not to eat meat

because of a misguided notion that meat is unhealthy

Foods from animal sources contain the best, most easily digested protein

Iron an important nutrient is best absorbed from meat

USE FIBRE WITH CAUTIONVegetarians may take in more dietary fiber &

this can affect the body in many waysIt can make you feel full after eating

very littleIf your appetite is poor you may not

be able to eat all you needMay cause digestive difficulties &

increase diarrhea

WHY GOOD NUTRITION IS IMPORTANTTo replace lost nutrientsPrevent tiredness, weight loss and

malnutritionImprove the functioning of your

immune system and your body’s ability to fight infection

Decrease the risk of opportunistic infections

WHY GOOD NUTRITION IS IMPORTANTImprove response to treatment such

as drugs and medicinesShorten the length of hospital staysHelp you with gaining or keeping

your body weightPromote independenceProvide as good a quality of life as

possible

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T EAT WELLPoor nutrition contributes to a

weakened immune system

You are more at risk for repeated infections plus earlier and faster progression to end-stage AIDS

HIV/AIDS INCREASES NUTRITIONAL NEEDSThe body reacts to the virus with an

immune response which uses more energy and nutrients

A weakened system leads to more infections, which increases the need for nutrients & energy

HIV/AIDS LOWERS FOOD INTAKEInfection & illness lead to poor appetiteMouth & throat infections cause difficulties

with eatingSome medicines affect your sense of tasteThe inability to work affect income – less

money for food

HIV/AIDS LOWERS FOOD INTAKEDepression, fear and anxiety contribute to

the loss of appetiteIsolation may result from social prejudice

against PLWHA. Eating food is a social event, loneliness lowers appetite

In the late stages of the disease, PLWHA may find it difficult to cook for, and take care of themselves

KEEPING HEALTHYWeight loss is common among

PLWHA, when you are underweight, your ability to fight infection is weakened

Regular exercise is important to keep you healthy

Exercise strengthens your muscles which helps to strengthen your immune system

KEEPING HEALTHYIf you don’t exercise, the extra

calories you eat become fat, but what you really need to resist infections is stored protein

Keep up your appetite by finding ways to stimulate it

Cook some of your favourite foods and meals

KEEPING HEALTHYMake your food look nice and

appetizingUse spices and flavouring to

make your food tastyIf you have difficulty sitting

down for your main meals, eat many small meals and snacks during the day

VITAMINS & MINERALSBefore you take extra vitamins &/or

minerals you need to be assessed by a doctor or dietitian

Vitamins & minerals help release the energy from food but are not themselves a source of energy

Whether you take pills or not, you still need to eat food

HIV/AIDS Drug-Nutrient InteractionMedication side effects increase the need for

effective nutritional therapy

Multiple medication regimens may have effects such as GI upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, malabsorption and/or anorexia, that negatively affect the ability to eat an adequate diet

REMEMBER FOOD SAFETY & HYGIENE IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT

FOOD SAFETYHygiene – hand washingClean kitchen – Safe Water – purification make drinks, wash fruits, vegetablesTemperature at which food is kept bacteria to multiply in a warm

environment

FOOD SAFETYRead labels – expiry dateBulging, dented, rusty canned

products are not safe to eatIf the food does not smell good do

not eat Cover foods to prevent

contamination by flies

SummaryGood nutrition can have several benefits. It

can:Improve your overall quality of life by

providing nutrients your body needs.Keep your immune system stronger so you

can better fight disease.Help manage HIV symptoms and

complications.Process medications and help manage

their side effects.Carbohydrates provides your body with

energy

SummaryProtein helps build muscles, organs, and

a strong immune system.Fat provides extra energy (get the right

type)Vitamins and minerals regulate your

body's processesMix your food choices everyday and aim

for variety

THANK YOU