Today, it is not the HIV that presents such a challenge as much as co-morbidities associated with it, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone disease, and cancer. Today nutrition still plays a vital role in HIV care. vitamin D, and global location (distance from the equator) and seasonal variation have a fixed and marked impact on the ability of a person to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies is currently reevaluating its recommendations regarding vitamin D supplementation and new recommendations are expected in the fall of 2010. Currently, recommendations are that people should get a net of 600 IU (International Units) of vitamin D per day from sun, food, and supplements. Most experts are recommending vitamin D supplementation at 1,000-2,000 IU per day. Vitamin D is a safe supplement to take with relatively little chance of toxicity or overdosage. Hypercalcemia is the biggest risk, but it is only seen with very high serum levels of vitamin D, much higher than what is achieved with routine supplementation.
Conclusion The management of HIV disease has changed remarkably in the past 30 years. Effective antivirals have changed the natural history of the disease and have allowed patients living with HIV to survive and live with a normal life expectancy. Nutrition was one of the few HIV treatments in the early days that actually impacted the course of the disease by allowing patients to be stronger and healthier as they fought their HIV. Today, it is not the HIV that presents such a challenge as much as co-morbidities associated with it, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone disease, and cancer. Today nutrition still plays a vital role in HIV care as patients strive to live long healthy lives. Vitamin D insufficiency is an important syndrome that contributes to the comorbidities that patients face. Recognition of the condition has led to an intense focus
on its role and its treatment as we work to keep patients healthy. Ask your doctor about your vitamin D level. Remember that even people in warm climates can have too little vitamin D and this may negatively affect your overall health. Optimal vitamin D levels are greater than 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml) and maintaining these levels may require vitamin D supplementation. e Tony Mills, MD, is a leading clinician in HIV disease and men’s health in Los Angeles. He is a nationally recognized speaker and belongs to many professional organizations. Dr. Mills is also principal investigator on more than 50 HIV trials. Go to PostivelyAware.com for references.
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