Support for HIV
I believe healthy, balanced, varied vegan or “near vegan” diets are the best [for HIV patients].ref
–Milton Mills, MD
The important thing about nutrition for people with HIV is that they need to eat enough calories to prevent breakdown of lean body mass. These calories have to be nutrient-dense – not from foods that are full of empty calories. Empty calories include refined/processed foods like white bread, cookies, pastries, alcohol, and anything with a lot of sugar. In addition, high-fat foods are also going to pack a lot of calories with very few nutrients. Fat also compromises the immune system, which obviously should be avoided much as possible.
Eating a variety of legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables will provide all the nutrients you need (macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytochemicals, i.e., the ever important anti-oxidants) while allowing for a boost in immunity. A plant-based diet is also optimal for recovery from exercise so you can get maximum results from your regimen. Again, be cautious with too much fat in the diet, even healthy oils like olive oil can compromise your immunity. Choose immune-boosting fats like omega-3s found in flax seeds and walnuts (again, don't go overboard).
Remember, unwanted weight loss means you need to eat more of the good things. A multi-vitamin might be a good safety net as well.ref–Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Immune system support
- Doctor's observation – Dr. Milton Mills says – based on his research and clinical experience – a vegan (no animal products) or near-vegan (minimal amounts of eggs or cheese) diet is optimal for boosting immune function in persons with HIV.ref
- Minimize fat – A low-fat diet is optimal for strong immune function, and animal-based diets are typically higher in fat – especially saturated fat. However, plant-based oils should also be minimized.ref
Cholesterol and heart disease
- Persons taking HIV medications often have elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, which may contribute to cardiovascular disease. A plant-based diet – which contains no cholesterol – can help control these levels.ref
Lipodystrophy
- One study recommends a low-fat vegan (or near-vegan) diet to control lipodystrophy (body fat displacement) caused by protease inhibitors.ref
Pesticides and other toxins in meat and dairy
- Many scientists believe that toxic chemicals in our environment and food may cause significant damage to our immune systems. Consuming animals exposes us to higher concentrations of environmental toxins (all the toxins from the plants and animals they consume during their lifetimes are concentrated in their tissues), while a quality plant-based diet boosts our immune systems and helps to cleanse toxins from our bodies.ref
Protein
- Eating a variety of protein-rich foods – such as tofu, beans, wheat gluten (seitan), tempeh (fermented soy beans) and whole grains – provides plenty of high-quality protein, without the health problems associated with animal protein.