Botswana: Nutrition And HIV/Aids - the Debate Continues
- From: "TC" <tunderbar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 29 Aug 2006 07:32:01 -0700
http://allafrica.com/stories/200608281453.html
Botswana: Nutrition And HIV/Aids - the Debate Continues
Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
COLUMN
August 28, 2006
Posted to the web August 28, 2006
Boitshepo Giyose
The question has never been whether nutrition plays a role in the
management of HIV and AIDS. The debate, rather, is about the quality of
nutrition? Yes, it may have taken a long time for most ordinary folk
and experts to accept the central role of nutrition in disease
management, particularly HIV/AIDS.
Unfortunately, the subject is shrouded in controversy because some
camps want to promote single food commodities as magic bullets, but
without much scientific basis. Last week was abuzz with a string of
debates around the world about the subject of nutrition and HIV, and to
some extent nutrition vis-à-vis ARVs.
This was sparked by the 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS in
Toronto, Canada. I sometimes shudder to imagine how much money is spent
on workshops and conferences; money which could be going to the
affected people.
Oh well, I guess this forms part of the development set; talking about
hunger, poverty, disease and malnutrition over a 500g juicy steak,
potatoes and gobbles of vintage wine! Let me say this; no single food
has ever been known to cater for anyone's nutritional needs - whether
in a healthy or illness state; with the exception of mother's milk.
So, the approach, from a nutritional perspective, is that of including
a wide variety of nutritious foods in your diet that are as natural as
possible.
HIV infection is a very delicate matter but not an impossible condition
to manage effectively. That is where the notion that 'knowledge, when
used correctly, is power'.
For instance, I do not see anyone sitting with a bowl of garlic, lemons
and beetroot in a bid to effectively manage HIV... or indeed AIDS! I do
however, see a full spectrum of foods - the above included - as a way
to care for this condition. Health status and socio-economic conditions
permitting, I also see an infected person also taking Anti-Retro-Virals
(ARVs) and drugs to combat opportunistic infections. So, the message is
not, have either food or drugs, but a mix of the two, especially where
the infection has progressed further along to warrant drugs.
Otherwise, for individuals with a relatively healthy CD4 count -
obviously way above 200 - ensuring optimum nutrition is the best
strategy as this will delay the progression to AIDS.
Do you know that there are individuals out there who have been living
with the HI virus for 20 odd years and they are not on ARVs still? And
what is their secret?
Then again this is not a secret anymore really, but good scientific and
common sense... Good nutrition, in addition to robust health-seeking
behaviours such as regular check-ups and overall lifestyle
modifications e.g. exercising, quitting cigarette/cigar smoking and
alcohol.
It has long been established that malnutrition is a very prominent
feature in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The relationship between
malnutrition and HIV creates a vicious cycle that weakens the immune
system leading to a faster disease progression.
On other hand, if the requisite nutrients are consumed and the
nutritional status is good, the infected individual will not progress
to AIDS as quickly, and chances are that they will live a longer,
healthier and productive life.
Since the declaration by the World Health Organization on nutrition and
HIV/AIDS earlier this year, greater attention is paid to food and
nutrition in HIV and AIDS management, particularly in relation to drug
interventions.
This topic was debated at length, I'm sure, at the just ended
conference on HIV/AIDS in Toronto? Let me ask you this: Have you ever
given much thought about how food and medicines work together? Maybe
not.
Well, from now onwards, just know that at the heart of any medicinal
therapy is food. Food is important, not only as sustenance but also as
a medium through which the medicines work.
Food can improve or inhibit how well medicines perform their intended
function in the body. That is why there are always those cute
instructions to take the pills before, after or with meals.
Whatever you do, never ignore these golden instructions! People living
with HIV-AIDs (PLWHA) taking several medications may face greater risk
of malnutrition because of further, potentially harmful drug and food
interaction and increased negative effects.
Therefore, the nutritional implications of modern and traditional
therapies need to be properly addressed to prevent weight loss, wasting
and malnutrition.
Proper management of drug and food interactions will also ensure the
efficacy of the therapy. So, listen to the health practitioner. Read
your labels. Follow instructions and eat healthfully!
*******
TC
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