Question
Can I use nutrition supplement shakes with HIV treatment?
5 July 2016. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.
Can I use nutrition supplement shakes to maintan body weight {supplement} while taking HIV treatment?
Answer
Hi
Please look at the ingredients of the shakes.
If these are just protein shakes then this is fine.
If the shake contain creatine, then tell your doctor. This is because monitoring tests for kidney function can be affected by these supplement.
Your doctor will need to know about this so that the test results can be interpretted propoerly.
This is especially important if your HIV meds include tenofovir DF.
Please see these links from more information:
https://i-base.info/qa/595
Hello Lisa and many thanks for getting in touch.
Well done to you for the huge improvement in your health and CD4 counts, and taking your ARVs so well.
The darkening of the skin can be related to many things such vitamin D deficiency, infections, antibiotics, other medication, etc.
What has your doctor said about this?
I know you are trying to see a Dr but even your HIV doctor can help you by running tests and prescribing treatment accordingly.
It’s still a good idea to see a dermatologist, so well done for thinking and chasing that.
As for the weight gain and gym: this is exactly what you need to do to lose weight!
Again, well done for thinking about it.
A program with healthy diet and exercise can surely help you become healthier and possibly lose weight.
We also have these resources you might find helpful:
https://i-base.info/guides/side/diet-a-balanced-diet-and-your-health
https://i-base.info/guides/side/exercise-and-staying-active
As for the supplements: they can be helpful to build muscle mass if combined with exercise, especially if you are older and in perimenopause.
However, you can also get protein from your diet so you might not need them.
Also, be careful as they might interact with your ARVs if they contain metals (zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, etc) so they need to be spaced by 6 hours from your ARVs.
Hellow, I am on ARVs since 2022. My cd4 count was 138 when I started, now it’s 400. My face started turning black with very dark patches on the cheek and forheard and my neck is itching all the times. I have been to several DRs with no help, now I want to start gym cause I weigh 90KG and want to diet as well. Now I would like to know if is it good to take protein supplements if am exercising cause my plan is to loose weight and become fit with the hope that it will help me with my condition on the face and neck, while waiting for an appointment to go to a dermatologist?
Hi Dan, you can eat whatever food you want. For supplements please see the original post:
https://i-base.info/qa/11564
Hello,
Can i eat food with protein in such as protein deserts example; protein shakes protein deserts.
Thank you
Hi Sizile, Thanks for getting in touch. It’s good that you’ve asked for info to make a plan. So you could look here at a question Simon has already answered about starting treatment. It shows that there are a number of things to think about to help you with a plan of action. You can read much more info here in this Introduction to ART (HIV treatment).
Hi I’m Sizile have HIV now I need plan what must I do I tested yesterday I need info about that.
Hi Maung,
Its not possible to say when someone was infected with HIV from their CD4 count. To know this you’ll need to think about any risks you may have taken and when.
Which supplements are you actually thinking about taking?
I am hiv positive last month with cd4 count 277 and i want to know the avarage infected duration of my hiv previously? I had no symptoms of OIs and hiv previously.Now i am taking viraday at bedtime and can i take other multivitamins capsules,antioxidents tablets and spirulina on morning? With regards, Maung