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These advertisements are wrong and misleading, said
the World Health Organization (WHO), the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today.
WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS have condemned the
irresponsible linking of their names to claims that
vitamins and nutrition therapy alone can prevent
AIDS deaths.
A number of accounts published by Matthias Rath on
his website and distributed as flyers and
advertisements within South Africa state that a
number of United Nations bodies including WHO,
UNICEF and UNAIDS endorse his approach. The three UN
organizations are extremely concerned about these
misrepresentations and note that the Rath Foundation
uses quotes and information from UN agencies out of
context. Misrepresentation of this sort is both
dangerous and unhelpful.
Over the last few years, several studies have been
carried out to investigate the role of micronutrient
supplements on the course of HIV/AIDS disease. The
results of these studies have not been conclusive.
WHO and UNAIDS recommendations for micronutrient
supplementation are therefore similar for all people
whether they are infected with HIV or not.
As in the population at large, a good diet that
provides the full range of essential micronutrients
is important to the health of people infected with
HIV and can help bolster the immune system, boost
energy levels and maintain body weight and
well-being. Guidelines published jointly by the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO in 2003
offer simple dietary suggestions for people living
with HIV and AIDS .
Although they may help to meet increased nutritional
requirements, nutritional supplements cannot replace
eating a balanced and healthy diet. Whether a person
is infected with HIV or not, WHO and UNAIDS
recommend a good mixed diet, whenever possible,
rather than dietary supplements. For people on
antiretroviral therapy, good nutrition and clean
water help treatment work more effectively.
Vitamins and nutritional supplements alone can not
take the place of comprehensive treatment and care
for people living with HIV/AIDS, including
prophylaxis and treatment for opportunistic
infections and antiretroviral therapy, where
indicated, as well as a good, balanced diet.
Antiretroviral therapy has been shown in numerous
studies to reduce the replication of HIV in the
body, reduce the incidence of opportunistic
infections and AIDS-related illness and improve
quality of life. In countries where it is widely
available, antiretroviral therapy has turned AIDS
from a ‘death sentence’ into a chronic but
manageable disease. As with any other drugs,
antiretroviral treatments do have side effects that
have been documented in clinical trials.
The role of nutrition for people living with
HIV/AIDS will be highlighted at an upcoming meeting
being convened by WHO in collaboration with other UN
agencies. The Consultation on Nutrition and HIV/AIDS
in Africa will take place in Durban, South Africa
from April 10 - 13, 2005. The goal of the
consultation is to develop feasible, evidence-based
strategies that will help improve the health status
of HIV-infected people in southern and east African
countries.
Editors note: A fact sheet entitled ‘AIDS treatment,
nutrition and food supplements’ is available on the
internet at www.who.int/3by5/mediacentre/fsFood/en/ |
