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The following is a list of recommended vitamin and mineral supplements
for persons living with HIV disease. Certain supplements can interact
with HIV medications, so make sure to discuss your vitamin and mineral
supplement plan with your doctor before beginning or making any
changes to your current regimen.
Basic
multivitamin/mineral supplement
Everyone
with HIV should be taking a basic multivitamin. Recommended dosage:
one tablet, once or twice daily
B-Vitamins
You
need extra B vitamins when your immune system is under extra stress
from HIV. Recommended dosage: 25-50mg
Beta
Carotene
It
is called “provitamin A”, it is converted into vitamin A in the
gastrointestinal tract and is considered the non-toxic version of
vitamin A. Beta Carotene is an antioxidant and is needed for fighting
infections. Recommended dosage: 10,000-20,000 IU’s
Vitamin
C
It
is an antioxidant and can boost the immune system. Recommended dosage:
500-1000mg (if possible, take half in the morning and half at night)
Vitamin
E
It
works in harmony with vitamin C to strengthen and increase antioxidant
effects of both vitamins. Recommended dosage: 400-800 IU’s
Selenium
It
is an antioxidant and helps keep your gut healthy. Selenium
deficiencies have been shown in studies to be an independent risk
factor for survival. Recommended dosage: 200mcg
Calcium
Some
of the HIV medications may lead to bone mineral loss. Brittle bones
will be an issue as people living with HIV get older. Take your
calcium with vitamin C rich foods like orange juice to help increase
absorption. Recommended dosage: 1000-1500mg (if possible, take half in
the AM and half in the PM)
NAC
(N-acetyl cysteine)
NAC
is an antioxidant that helps to increase glutathione levels in the
body. Glutathione is also an antioxidant that is needed to keep the
immune system functioning well. Low glutathione levels have been shown
to be common in all groups of HIV+ individuals. Recommended dosage:
1000-2000mg
Magnesium
Low
levels of magnesium can cause fatigue, dizziness, and depression.
Recommended dosage: 300-400mg
Zinc
Levels
of zinc have shown to be low in about a third of people living
with HIV. It is important for wound healing, prostrate gland
function, and a healthy immune system.
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