How does HIV/AIDS affect intake, absorption and metabolism of nutrients?
HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration, a government branch of the Health and Human Services) provides these details. Immune deficiency invites opportunistic gastrointestinal infections (GI), such as intestinal parasites and candidiasis. These cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea which reduce nutrient intake. Medications may interrupt absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Metabolism, or body usage, storage and excretion of nutrients, is altered by such problems as glucose and lipid dysregulation. AIDS Wasting Syndrome (AWS): This was the textbook way for a layman to diagnose AIDS: the characteristic loss of more than 10% of lean body mass, accompanied by diarrhea and fatigue. Antiretrovirals have helped but AWS remains a problem, especially in Africa where the AIDS pandemic often has limited or no access to medication. Lipodystrophy Syndrome (LDS) is a redistribution of fat. In women, LDS generally takes the form of fat deposits to abdomen, neck and shoulders. In m
