Nutritional interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality in people with HIV

Achieving and maintaining optimal nutrition is considered an important adjunct in the clinical care of patients infected with HIV, as good nutrition can improve an individual's immune function, limit disease-specific complications, and improve quality of life and survival. We sought to determine whether macronutrient interventions, such as a balanced diet or high protein, high carbohydrate, or high fat diets given orally influence morbidity and mortality in adults and children living with HIV infection. Our review, based on eight small trials conducted in high-income countries, found limited evidence that macronutrient supplementation increases protein and energy intake. However, we found no evidence that such supplementation translates into reductions in disease progression or HIV-related complications, such as opportunistic infections or death.