HIV and nutrition are intimately linked

HIV infection can lead to malnutrition, while poor diet can in turn speed the infection’s progress. As HIV treatment becomes increasingly available in the poorest parts of the world, critical questions are emerging about how well the drugs work in people if they are short of food. Uncertainty also surrounds the role of vitamins and other supplements. And for those already receiving treatment, side effects such as body fat changes are a daily concern.

Understandably, HIV positive people and those who care for them are interested in whatever might benefit their health. This article looks at what is known about the relationships between HIV and nutrition.  HIV and AIDS is well known for causing severe weight loss known as wasting. In Africa, the illness was at first called “slim” because sufferers became like skeletons. Yet body changes are not only seen during AIDS less dramatic changes often occur in earlier stages of HIV infection. Whereas starving people tend to lose fat first, the weight lost during HIV infection tends to be in the form of lean tissue, such as muscle. This means there may be changes in the makeup of the body even if the overall weight stays the same.

In children, HIV is frequently linked to growth failure. One large European study found that children with HIV were on average around 7 kg (15 lbs) lighter and 7.5 cm (3 inches) shorter than uninfected children at ten years old. One factor behind HIV-related weight loss is increased energy expenditure. Though no one knows quite why, many studies have found that people with HIV tend to burn around 10% more calories while resting, compared to those who are uninfected. People with advanced infection or AIDS (particularly children) may expend far more energy.

But faster metabolism is not the only problem. In normal circumstances, a small rise in energy expenditure may be offset by eating slightly more food 4 or taking less exercise. There are two other important reasons why people with HIV may lose weight or suffer childhood growth failure.

The first factor is decreased energy intake or, to put it simply, eating less food. Once HIV has weakened the immune system, various infections can take hold, some of which can affect appetite and ability to eat. For example, sores in the mouth or throat may cause pain when swallowing, while diarrhea or nausea may disturb normal eating patterns. Someone who is ill may be less able to earn money, shop for food or prepare meals. Stress and psychological issues may also contribute.

Secondly, weight loss or growth failure can occur when the body is less able to absorb nutrients – particularly fat – from food, because HIV or another infection (such as cryptosporidium) has damaged the lining of the gut. Diarrhea is a common symptom of such malabsorption. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs to maintain good health. Researchers have found that people with HIV are more likely to show signs of micro nutrient deficiencies, compared to uninfected people. Specifically they have found low levels of vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, carotids, selenium, zinc and iron in the blood of various populations.

Nevertheless, it must be noted that the evidence is not entirely conclusive. It is possible that HIV might affect the markers used to measure micro nutrient levels more than it affects the actual amounts of micro-nutrients available in the body.  Some studies suggest that antiviral treatment improves micro nutrient status.

Oral anabolic steroids to maintain the health of AIDS patients

Oral anabolic steroids (no the injectable kind like nandrolone) can tax the liver and lower good cholesterol (HDL). You are planning to take dianabol, an oral anabolic not approved in the US and one known for its liver, blood pressure and lowering HDL issues. It is a 17 alpha alkylated anabolic that has been designed to slow down its destruction by the liver.

Only Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca durabolin) and Oxandrolone have been studied in HIV related unintentional weight loss. Oxandrolone is a mild oral anabolic but one that can also increase liver enzymes. Nandrolone does not have this issue (it is not a 17 alpha alkylated anabolic), but some men can have increases in hematocrit and blood viscosity (not good for the heart). All anabolic shut down your own body's testosterone production, so it is good to supplement with testosterone to ensure normal sex drive and function. Playing around with anabolic steroids without doing a lot of reading and research is foolish in my opinion. You should be monitored by a physician to follow hematocrit, PSA, blood pressure, estradiol related issues (like breast enlargement), liver enzymes, etc. Men with HIV that are going to use anabolic no matter what at least engage in some harm reduction by reading and informing themselves about these potent hormones that have helped us in the past survive by combating wasting syndrome. A good bodybuilder is a smart bodybuilder. Over eight studies have shown nandrolone to be effective for increasing lean body mass (LBM) and strength in men and women with HIV. A randomized, placebo controlled trial in 38 women conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) reported significant increases in weight and lean body mass after 12 weeks of Nandrolone therapy (100 mg every two weeks). There were no differences between the groups in fat increases or in clinical or laboratory adverse events. Hoarseness, hirsutism, and clitoral enlargement were noted rarely in the treated group.  A recent study by Wanke reported that as many as 29 percent of people with HIV in the era of HAART are still losing weight or lean body mass, despite undetectable viral loads.

Nandrolone decanoate is especially attractive because of its benign side effects profile compared to alternative steroids. According to Vergel, unlike oral steroids such as Oxandrin and Anadrol, nandrolone does not impact liver function lab markers at the low doses used in HIV a crucial issue for many people with overtaxed livers from HAART or HCV. One of the FDA approved products to treat HIV-wasting, Megace (megestrol acetate), tends to produce its weight gain due to increases in fat rather than lean body mass -- and adding fat during AIDS wasting has not been shown to improve survival. Megace, a female sex hormone, has also been associated with side effects such as diabetes, blood clots, impotence and the development of female sex characteristics. Another agent approved to treat HIV wasting, Serostim (recombinant human growth hormone), lacks evidence of benefit beyond 12 weeks. FDA-approved appetite stimulants such as Marinol contain the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (THC), notes Brenda Lein of Project Inform, and "thus is not a preference for many people with HIV who are in recovery." Also, it's theorized that Marinol may simply owe its ability to increase weight to a side effect of the THC high that people get the munchies and tend to eat more.

Winstrol and Equipoise are both not good on the liver since they both are 17 alpha alkylated. Nandrolone is not liver toxic, not 17 alpha alkylated and it has been studied in doses up to 600 mg a week in HIV. Most HIV positive men who need help gaining lean body mass use it at conservative dose of 200 mg Nandrolone plus 200 mg of Testosterone Cypionate every two weeks for 12-16 weeks and most stay on testosterone replacement therapy after stopping the Nandrolone so that you do not lose muscle mass and quality of life.
The FDA and most people did not seem to care even after some of us tried to stop this.You can also gain lean body mass by weight training and consuming a balanced diet. Supplements like creatine, whey protein and others have been shown to help.

Abuse of Anadrol in Bodybuilding and Sport

Anadrol has been used to prevent loss of muscle tissues in chronic disorders such as AIDS and other disorders. It was noted that the use of Anadrol resulted in reduce in the muscle loss in individuals suffering from such disorders. However, the side-effects associated with prolonged use of Anadrol have restricted its use for severe cases.

An increase in the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids such as Anadrol by bodybuilders has been reported in Western Europe and the USA since the 1990s. Body builders and other sports athletes’ overuse (abuse) this drug for its ability to build lean muscle mass and reduction in body fat. The steroids are commonly used as faster way of losing fat and gaining muscle mass across various sports. Some of the bodybuilders even grow the dosage at abnormal levels to gain muscles at a much rapid rate. The dosage generally prescribed for medicinal purposes is about 1-5 mg/kg corpse weight per day which amounts to about 100-150mg per day in a standard adult single. However, bodybuilders have been reported to consume about 400-600mg/day which increases the risk of side-effects to a large extent. Abuse of Anadrol is associated with a wide range of side-effects that affects the functioning of organs such as liver and heart along with other effects. The adverse effects on the liver due to increased use of anadrol are sometimes considered living-threatening.


Anadrol cycle refers to the use of Anadrol in a routine manner by bodybuilders to construct muscle mass. The bodybuilders usually consume anadrol tablets once to thrice daily for a certain interval of period while building the muscle mass in their cadaver. Although Anadrol increases lean muscle mass initially, the effects do not keep increasing after a certain limit. Increasing the dosage of anadrol subsequently increases its side-effects that have dangerous effects on the corpse.

Side Effects of Anadrol: Abuse of Anadrol is associated with a great list of side-effects. The increased incidence of side-effects associated with its use has restricted the use of anadrol in the medical field. Anadrol is usually considered as the last line of treatment wherein it is advised only if the regular treatment modalities have failed to resolve the condition being treated. Abusers of Anadrol have an increased danger of being affected by the side-effects owing to the fact that they consume anadrol at very high doses.
Result on Liver: The most common and potent side-effect that can be life threatening at times is the result of Anadrol on the liver. Excessive use of anadrol results in a condition known as peliosis hepatis which is characterised by formation of cysts (fluid filled cavities) in the liver and at times also in the spleen. These cysts may effect in liver failure that is considered living threatening. Although withdrawal of anadrol results in complete reversal of symptoms, the liver failure generally remains asymptomatic until it reaches the living-threatening stage. Increased incidence of liver tumours has also been associated with Anadrol abuse.

Anabolic steroids and adverse effects

Anabolic steroids may cause many adverse effects, depending on the dosage and period of use. An increase in blood pressure is the most common side effect, especially when the user already has hypertension. Steroid users also experience an increase in total cholesterol level and a decrease in HDL cholesterol in many cases. Testosterone increases the risk of heart disease. Acne is also a relatively common side effect of anabolic steroids. Testosterone is metabolized into dihydrotestosterone, which can increase the rate of male pattern baldness in users with this genetic predisposition. Testosterone can also produce baldness by itself in female users. Skin conditions are among the earliest predictors of the presence of HIV in the body, and are often viewed as markers for the disease’s progression. Approximately 90 percent of all HIV-infected individuals will present rash-like symptoms during the course of their disease. HIV-related rashes generally fall into one of three categories: generalized dermatitis; bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections and skin tumors. Generalized skin rashes are the most commonly experienced symptom of HIV.

Among the primary types of generalized dermatitis seen among HIV infected patients:  

Xerosis: Approximately 20 percent of all HIV-infected individuals will experience xerosis, which can be described as general dryness of the skin. This form of skin dryness often affects the body’s extremities and presents with dry, itchy, and scaly skin patches. Treatment of xerosis includes topical moisturizers containing urea and topical steroids.
Atopic dermatitis: This chronic inflammatory condition, often characterized with red, scaly, and itchy rashes, is seen in approximately 30 to 50 percent of HIV-infected patients. Typical treatment involves the application of topical steroids.
Prurigo nodularis: Prurigo nodularis can be characterized as lumps on the skin that cause scab-like appearances and itchiness. This type of dermatitis is typically seen among patients with extremely compromised immune systems. Current treatment protocol includes topical steroids and antiviral drugs.
Eosinophillic folliculitis: Characterized typically by itchy, red bumps centered on hair follicles, this form of dermatitis presents most frequently in patients in later stages of the disease’s progression. While it can appear on any bodily surface, it tends to cluster on the upper body. Current treatments include antiretroviral drug regimens to help restore the patient’s immune system, topical steroids, and antihistamines.