HIV diet and nutrition advice to ensure a healthy lifestyle

The importance of nutrition Good nutrition means eating the right amounts of the correct nutrient filled foods to promote strong healthy bodies. Finding a good health care provider before beginning a diet is advisable. The six food classes: #1 Vitamins Vitamins are a much-needed supplement as they regulate various processes in the body. They are ...

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home Diet, Health HIV diet and nutrition advice to ensure a healthy lifestyle

HIV diet and nutrition advice to ensure a healthy lifestyle

By IAS Posted in Diet Health

Posted on October 2, 2018April 6, 2018

The importance of nutrition

Good nutrition means eating the right amounts of the correct nutrient filled foods to promote strong healthy bodies. Finding a good health care provider before beginning a diet is advisable.

The six food classes:

#1 Vitamins

Vitamins are a much-needed supplement as they regulate various processes in the body. They are especially essential for promoting normal cell growth, maintaining proper metabolic functions as well as supporting healthy tissues, bones, teeth, hair and blood. Each vitamin plays a part in maintaining a person health. There are thirteen important vitamins a human body requires. They are:

The B vitamins
- B1 – Thiamine
- B2 – Riboflavin
- B3 – Niacin
- B5 – Pantothenic acid
- B6 – Pyroxidine
- B7 – Biotin
- B9 – Folate
- B12 – Cobalamin
Vitamins A, C, D, E and K

#2 Water

A person’s body requires water to regulate and maintain various body functions. It is also used in all the bodies tissue, organs, cells and helps to regulate the bodies temperature. As a person loses water during the day due to functions such as digestions, sweating, passing fluids and even breathing a person must keep it topped up by drinking regular glasses of it throughout the day. It also helps to prevent fatigue, promotes more energy, stops constipation and headaches.

#3 Fat

Fat has quite a bad reputation, but the fact is the body needs a certain amount of it to maintain energy, keep the body warm and help with cell growth. Fats are also required in the production of various hormones, to help the body absorb nutrients and they help to protect the organs. Your body receives much needed essential fatty acids such as linolenic and linoleic acids from the foods you eat.

#4 Protein

A person’s nails and hair consist mostly of protein and it is used by a person body to help repair and build tissue. Protein is a very important ingredient in the building of bones, cartilage, blood, skin and muscle. It is also needed to help with the production of various bodily chemicals, enzymes and hormones.

#5 Carbohydrates

For sustained energy, a person needs a certain amount of carbs like those found in various vegetables, grains and fruits. Carbohydrates contain glucose which the body uses as fuel.

#6 Minerals

Your body needs minerals to help build tissue, boost the immune system and help with certain body functions. Such as building strong teeth, healthy hair, strong bones, healthy skin and various nerve, muscle and metabolic functions such as turning food into required energy. There are five necessary minerals in the body these are magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.

Conclusion

When you have HIV, your body needs to be able to get enough nutrition to help it cope and fight off infections. Most advance stages of HIV tend to cause loss of appetite which causes weight loss, and this makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. A healthy diet, supplements and some exercise can go a long way in staying healthy.

home Support How to get through the emotional trauma of letting loved ones know you are HIV positive

How to get through the emotional trauma of letting loved ones know you are HIV positive

By IAS Posted in Support

Posted on September 2, 2018April 6, 2018

The shock of an HIV positive diagnosis

As with any life-threatening disease, it is a great shock when you have first been diagnosed. At first, it does not register and your mind reels like you are in a very bad dream. With HIV you also must live with the fact that you are infected with a virus that you are never going to be rid of. A virus that can if you are not careful to be transmitted to others. HIV is a very personal disease and who you tell or how you wish to disclose it is up to you. It will probably be one of the hardest things you will even have to do but it is a conversation that is of the utmost importance and one you will have to do!

Who really needs to know your HIV status?

Current spouse, partners, lovers and or potential and future ones
Anyone with whom you may have shared a needle
You may also need/want to tell previous sexual partners
Close family and friends

Why do they need to know?

Some states now have a law that enforces this it is called the “partner notification law”
You have a moral obligation to do so, so others may get themselves tested so they too can start treatment
It is best to tell loved ones yourself rather than them hearing it from someone else. This is a time a person needs all the support they can get. It is best to build that support and not distant them. Your emotional well being is just as important as your physical one.
Telling those that need to know relieves the stress of keeping it inside and getting it out will give you peace of mind which in turn is better for your health.

Preparing yourself to tell your loved ones

Make sure you are ready to do so and that you, yourself fully understand what it means to be HIV positive.
Research HIV and make sure you understand your condition, so you can help others understand it.
Mostly be sure that if you reveal your status it is not going to put you in harm’s way.
You will know when you are ready to do so but do not wait too long and join a support group that can help and encourage you.

Conclusion

You will know the right time and place to have the conversation with those you choose to have it with. Be prepared for varied reactions, be strong and it is always best to have someone beside you to back you up, give you the extra nudge, strength and support you while breaking the news.

home Research The top 5 HIV/AIDS research centers throughout the world

The top 5 HIV/AIDS research centers throughout the world

By IAS Posted in Research

Posted on August 3, 2018April 6, 2018

HIV/AIDS research

HIV/AIDS is still one of the top major health issues worldwide with the disease has claimed over forty million lives and over 12 million living with HIV. Some of the top research centers are dedicated to eradicating the disease.

The top ten HIV/AIDS research institutes worldwide

#1 Calimmune
The institute was founded in 2007 by Dr Irvin Chen of UCLA AIDS Institute and Dr David Baltimore of Caltech. The institute works on gene therapy as a way forward in the fight to help patients overcome a chronic disease that currently has no known cure.

#2 ViiV Healthcare
Founded by a collaboration of GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer ViiV Healthcare was launched in 2009. This institutes current priority research is that of HIV in children and the prevention of infected mothers passing the virus onto their unborn child. ViiV works closely with researchers and clinics in the support, care and treatment of people infected with HIV/AIDS.

#3 DARE – Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise
Are a group of dedicated scientific researcher striving for a cure for HIV. They research the parts of the virus that the antiretroviral therapy cannot cover. The institute was championed by one of its founding members, Martin Delany, who was one of the top HIV/AIDS activists. He was one of the founding members of the movement for HIV research, led the coalition for the fair pricing of HIV/AIDS medication and the need to better educate the world on the disease.

#4 amfAR
Founded in 1985 American Foundation for AIDS Research has done more than its fair share of trying to put an end to the AIDS epidemic around the world. Having spent more than $300 million on its various programs and research grants this company is truly dedicated to its cause. One of its top accomplishments being that of the antiretroviral drug to stop the transmission of the virus from mother to child.

#5 GeoVax
Focuses on developing the most innovative human vaccines with its main priority being vaccines to prevent and fight against the infection of HIV. One of their most advanced vaccines which are under development is being designed to act against the “clade B subtype” of the HIV virus. This is one of the most prevalent types of the virus in the USA. It has also got the modified Ankara vaccine which is primarily for the “C subtype” of the virus which is the one that is most common in India and South Africa under license.

Conclusion

These companies are at the forefront of trying to eradicate HIV. Support them by supporting the various HIV/AIDS awareness groups.

home Research The 7 stages of the HIV life cycle explained

The 7 stages of the HIV life cycle explained

By IAS Posted in Research

Posted on July 4, 2018April 6, 2018

The HIV virus

The HIV virus is a virus that attacks the bodies CD4 cells, these are the cells the body uses to fight diseases, infections and foreign bodies. Once infected the virus remains in the body and if not treated will eventually overpower the bodies immune system completely leaving it vulnerable and unable to fight off infections. The ART drugs in use today are grouped into drug classes each of these are designed to deal with different stages of the HIV virus’s life cycle.

The 7 stages of the HIV life cycle explained

#1 Binding
This is the very first stage of the HIV Lifecycle. The HIV virus attacks the CD4 cell and attaches Itself to the cell on its surface. It does this by first attaching to the CD4 cell’s receptor than the CCR5 or the CXCR4 coreceptor.

#2 Fusion
The second stage of the HIV life cycle is called fusion and this is done after the virus has effectively attached itself to the CD4 cell. The entire HIV viral envelope will then fuse with the cell which allows it to gain entry into it.

#3 Reverse Transcriptase
The third stage happens once the HIV virus has entered the CD4 cell. This allows the virus to release an HIV Enzyme or reverse transcriptase enabling it to convert the virus’s genetic makeup. It converts its HIV RNA to HIV DNA. This conversion is what allows the HIV Virus to enter the cell’s nucleus to integrate with it.

#4 Integration
When the HIV virus has successfully entered the CD4 cells nucleus it releases another HIV enzyme known as integrase. This is the enzyme the virus uses to integrate its own DNA into the infected CD4 cells DNA. This is the fourth step in the HIV virus life cycle.

#5 Replication
The fifth stage of the HIV life cycle is when the virus starts to form HIV proteins in long chains. `These are the protein chains that the HIV virus uses to replicate itself and spread to other CD4 cells in the body.

#6 Assembly
The sixth stage of the HIV virus life cycle is when the new HIV RNA and proteins which are now produced by the infected CD4 cell make their way to the surface of the cell to assemble into noninfectious immature HIV.

#7 Budding
The final stage of the HIV life cycle is when the immature HIV is released from within the infected CD 4 that produced it. Being an immature HIV, it is unable to infect another CD4 cell, so it releases another HIV enzyme known as a protease. The function of This enzyme is to break up the long chains of proteins forming the immature HIV. Once separated they then combine and mature into the infectious form of HIV,

Conclusion

Understanding the various stages of the HIV virus helps to better understand the disease itself and how the various drugs may help.

info3 - The 7 stages of the HIV life cycle explained — Infographic by: the-scientist.com

home Support How to support a loved one coping and living with HIV/AIDS

How to support a loved one coping and living with HIV/AIDS

By IAS Posted in Support

Posted on June 4, 2018April 6, 2018

Supporting your loved ones

It is basic human instinct to want to care for, support and protect the ones we love. Sometimes it can be quite daunting and frustrating as we are not the ones going through what they are. We so want to be able to fully understand what it is they are going through and most of us would trade places with them in a heartbeat to save them. But the fact is we can’t, and we probably will never feel what they are feeling all we can do is understand better understand their situation and them.

Advice on supporting your loved one living and coping with HIV/AIDS

Know their limits and work with them
Most people living with a life-threatening illness already feel different, malignant, a burden and broken. The last thing they need is their loved ones treating them in a manner that makes them feel they are. There are certain things that will need to change in your daily routines, eating habits, exercise routines, etc. Find alternatives that do not change the patterns too much and ways to do the normal things that suit the person condition.
Encourage them to join in
A lot of times the person will want to withdraw and hidefrom society. But what they need is to continue living their life, going to functions, sports and mingling with their friends.
Talk about the illness
The best way to get others to accept your loved one’s illness if for them to accept it. Help them take control of the disease, help them fight it and not fear it. Help them find their path to living with the disease. Once others around them see how well they deal with HIV they will have more confidence in your loved one.
Find support groups
They may not know it and at first, reject it. They may even think you are abandoning them, but they will finally get to see the value in joining these groups. In fact, you should go with them to a few of them if you are permitted to do so. We may not be able to fully understand what our loved ones are going through but the people who go to those groups do. They are going through similar ordeals and are that missing piece to helping your loved one cope. By going to a few or all of them is showing them how much you actually want to be there for them and how hard you are trying to understand what they are going through.

Conclusion

It is one of the hardest things to do, watch a loved one go through something like this. We worry about those we love and care for constantly when they have nothing wrong with them. But when they are burdened with a disease you know there is no known cure for that worry increases tenfold. We want to wrap them in cotton wool and shield them from life, but the fact is we cannot. We have to let them live their life all we can do is be there for them, support them and ensure they never give up!

home Support The HIV 5 stages of grief and how to cope with them

The HIV 5 stages of grief and how to cope with them

By IAS Posted in Support

Posted on May 5, 2018April 6, 2018

We all cope in different ways to devastating news

We all have our own coping mechanisms when it comes to coping with various devasting blows, dealt us during our lifetime. Although we may not all have the exact same reactions to this there are similarities.

The HIV 5 stages of grief

#1 Denial

The shock of getting the diagnosis is a surreal experience. Suddenly all the times you have sympathized with someone looked at someone struggling with an affliction and thought that poor person is happening to you. You think it cannot be real, surely this is not happening, you go numb, shut down some people even push it to the back of their mind. The shock and denial help the body cope with the news, they help you to carry on and filter in as much as you can take. You feel somehow isolated as it is not happening to another person it is happening you!

#2 Anger

You will feel many a turmoil of emotions when you hit the anger stage. You will look for someone or something to put the blame on. You need an outlet to direct all the hurt, pain and anger on. There has to be a reason this is happening to you, so you will lash out a person, society and anything that relates to what is happening to you. Sometimes a person gets angry about silly little things that do not relate to what is happening to them at all. As long as you are open to others embrace your anger and ride that wave of the grief stage.

#3 Bargaining

The third stage of grief is often associated with guilt, what ifs and I would do anything to change things.This stage is the one where we wish we could back in time do things differently, we start questioning things around us and plead with anyone we can to get another outcome to our current situation.

#4 Depression

14 - The HIV 5 stages of grief and how to cope with them — lonely girl near window thinking about something. beautiful sad lonely girl sitting near the window is missing

Suddenly we realize there is nothing we can do to change that outcome. This is happening to us and that last little vestige of hope we had started to flicker out. We realize this was not a dream and there is not getting out of what is happening to us. We are hit with a huge tidal wave of grief and all the pain, fear and anger turns into depression.

#5 Acceptance

You want to say you are ok, all right or fine but the fact is you are not and probably never will be again. This stage of the grief is when you start to realize you have two options to give up or fight as best as you can and do what you can to conquer this disease. There is always hope, that light at the end of the tunnel no matter how long the tunnel may be. With today’s technology and scientific breakthroughs, we are well on the road to finding that elusive cure.

Conclusion

It is one of the hardest things to go through, but humans are resilient and tend to be able to dig deep into their reserves of sheer willpower. This alone goes a long way in the fight against the disease. There are many support groups to help you every step of the way and no matter what you think we all need help at some stage in our lives.

home Research New HIV latent detecting tests are now more accurate and another step closer to combatting the virus

New HIV latent detecting tests are now more accurate and another step closer to combatting the virus

By IAS Posted in Research

Posted on April 5, 2018April 6, 2018

The challenge of detecting the residual virus after retroviral therapy

The HIV virus is a tricky virus in that it has the ability to hide in immune cells at an undetectable level. This is especially true after retroviral therapy. Retroviral therapy can greatly reduce the viral load levels in the blood. The challenge for researchers is trying fully figure out what amounts to the virus is left in the system after treatment.Research teams from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health have found a more effective, efficient, less expensive and all-around easier way to find out if HIV is still present and hiding out in CD4 cells. The test is known as the “TZA test”

The new TZA test works as follows:

HIV is a very clever virus wherein it produces a lot of “junk” viruses in order to throw the immune system off where it is actually hiding. Scientists recently discovered that the dormant HIV lying ready to awake at any moment to re-infect the body actually hides in the same cells that are meant to be attacking it as a foreign body. The TZA test works to find the gene that only presents itself when “replication-competent HIV” (HIV that can re-infect the body) is present.
This test can get results within seven days as opposed to the fourteen days needed for the more expensive and more complex Q-VOA test. It also requires less number of cells and blood from the patient in order to perform the test.
The test has also been able to reveal that the percentage of the Latent virus left in an almost cured patients blood was actually almost seventy percent higher than what scientist was originally able to detect in the patient.
An even more encouraging aspect of this test is that it could potentially be used to detect HIV in children as well. This is due to the fact that the test does not require the amounts of blood and cells of previous tests.
This test takes science that much closer to potentially finding a cure now that they have the tools to find the tricky HIV that lies dormant in a patients CD4 cells.

Conclusion

This is a very crucial step in the quest for the elusive HIV cure and vaccine. With all the tests now available and the medication that can fight back against the virus, it gives us greater hope.

home Health, HIV HIV treatments that can be prescribed to effectively control the HIV virus and their common side effects

HIV treatments that can be prescribed to effectively control the HIV virus and their common side effects

By IAS Posted in Health HIV

Posted on March 21, 2018April 6, 2018

HIV Treatments

Unlike a few years ago the medication that is available to help maintain the HIV viral load is a lot more effective and displays fewer side effects.
There are more than twenty-fourantiretroviral drugs on the market today that is FDA approved. These drugs are broken down into about six different groups depending on their function. As each of these drugs is designed to have different effects on the virus they are often prescribed as a cocktail. A cocktail can contain a combination of two or more of these drugs to be taken as part of the treatment.

HIV treatments

#1 Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors or NRTIs
This medication slows down the replication of the virus into the DNA strand.
The side effects the may occur are abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness, rash, muscle pain and headaches.
These medications include:

Stribild
Prezcobix
Evotaz
Complera
Atripla

#2 Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors or NNRTIs
This medication is used to prevent the virus’s RNA conversion to DNA.
Their side effects may include: rash, raised liver enzymes, stomach pains, depression, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia and headaches.
These medications include:

Edurant
Intelence
Rescriptor
Sustiva
Viramune
Viramune XR

#3 Protease Inhibitors or PIs
These drugs prevent immature or new HIV from maturing. It is only at the mature stage that the HIV virus can infect healthy CD4 cells.Their side effects may include a rash, vomiting, nausea, fever, liver toxicity, diabetes, changes in heart rhythm, stomach pain, lipodystrophy and headaches.
These medications include:

Agenerase
Aptivus
Crixivan
Fortovase
Kaletra
Lexiva
Norvir
Viracept

#4 Fusion Inhibitors
These drugs block the HIV from being able to merge with the membrane of the CD4 cells and prevents it from being able to enter it.Their side effects may include swelling, injection site pain, numbness, cough, fever, dizziness, nausea, insomnia and headaches.
These medications include:

Fuzeon

They are also known as Entry inhibitors and include medications such as:

Selzentry

Conclusion

Although these drugs are designed to control the virus, its growth, stop the symptoms of it and boost your immune system they are not a cure. Having HIV even when it is controlled by medication means you can still potentially spread the disease if you are not cautious. Although these drugs are designed to have as few a side effects as possible they can still react adversely to other medication. Always be upfront with your health care provider about anything you may be taken over and above their prescribed medication.

Contact your physician or go to your nearest clinic/hospital immediately should you have any adverse effects from the medication.

info2 - HIV treatments that can be prescribed to effectively control the HIV virus and their common side effects — Infographic by: thebody.com

home Health, HIV Living a healthy lifestyle with HIV

Living a healthy lifestyle with HIV

By IAS Posted in Health HIV

Posted on March 6, 2018April 6, 2018

Life with HIV

When it was first discovered a diagnosis of HIV was a certain death sentence. Without the medication on the market, today HIV would become full-blown AIDS in no time. But extensive research and a better understanding of the virus has produced a various medication that can control HIV and AIDS.

5 Ways to keep healthy when living with HIV

#1 Watch what you eat

Eating healthy is a must for people with HIV as certain foods are high in various supplements that boost the immune system.Strive for your ideal body weight to best help your body cope with the virus. Being underweight or overweight puts added pressure on your system.

Think of the types of food you like to eat and try to find healthier alternatives for the ones that are high in carbs, sugar, etc.

Speak to a healthcare professional or dietician to help you create a balanced meal plan that suits your lifestyle, likes and dislikes.

#2 Exercise regularly and under a controlled regime

A lot of people with HIV tend to lose strength and muscle mass. Exercise is the best way to build these up and boost bone strength.

Exercise also helps boost a person’s mood, give one more energy, flexibility and help maintain a healthy weight.
A person does not have to partake in a sport or even go to the gym. One can stay healthy by taking regular walks, scenic hikes, playing the park with your dog or kids. Even gardening and swimming are great ways to exercise.It is always advisable to check with your healthcare provider before partaking in any sport or exercise.
#3 Taking medication regularly

Although the current drugs available for HIV cannot cure the virus they can keep it under control and help support a person immune system.

These drugs can keep your viral load under control, if not reduce it and stop it from reproducing. But to keep the viral load under control and your system strong one has to be vigilant in taking the medication.

#4 Going for regular physical checkups

A person living with any disease the regular health checkup rule of thumb should be more like a part of their bi-monthly (or required check-up) way of life.Do not mess around with your health if something is affecting you or you are just not feeling right go see your healthcare provider.

#5 Good solid support group

Surround yourself with a lot of emotional support. You emotional and mental well being is just as important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Looking after yourself in the here and now when living with any disease is the only way to ensure a better quality of life for the person affected. But it is also best to look to the future for preventive measures as well.

home AIDS, Health What is AIDS and is there a difference between AIDS and HIV?

What is AIDS and is there a difference between AIDS and HIV?

By IAS Posted in AIDS Health

Posted on February 19, 2018April 6, 2018

Aids vs HIV

Whilst HIV and AIDS are very much interlinked they are two very different diagnoses.

The difference between AIDS and HIV

HIV is a virus, one that the human body is never able to combat and completely rid itself of. The virus can lead to an infection.
AIDS is a condition brought about when the HIV infection has developed to a point where it has caused severe damage to a person immune system.
You can have an HIV infection without having aids. With today’s advancement in HIV medication, a person can live a long and healthy life without the infection developing into AIDS.

What is AIDS?

AIDS can be classified as a syndrome or condition that may be developed from HIV once the virus has caused major damage to the immune system.
Whilst it is true that a person diagnosed with HIV may not have AIDS a person diagnosed with AIDS would have most certainly have been infected with the HIV virus.
Even if an HIV positive person never develops AIDS the virus never goes away as there is no known cure for it.
AIDS is the abbreviation for “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”.
AIDS is a complex syndrome and affects people in different ways. Thus, the symptoms will vary from one person to another.
AIDS symptoms are directly related to the infection the disease causes. These infections are most commonly certain forms of cancer, tuberculosis and pneumonia being some of the most common ones.
AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection and various factors are tested for in the determination of this stage. These factors include the investigation for:
- CD4 Cell count of two hundred or lower.
- The appearance of opportunistic infections such as various bacteria, fungi and viruses that would not compromise a healthy person’s immune system.

Conclusion

The life expectancy of a person that has developed AIDS is a lot less than when the disease was still in the HIV latency stage. With proper care and treatment, the condition can be managed.