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More is not better when it comes to
multivitamins combined with antiretroviral therapy, according to new data
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The results come from a Tanzanian
study involving nearly 3,500 HIV-positive people starting antiretroviral
therapy for the first time who were randomized to take either standard-dose
multivitamins or high-dose multivitamins containing substantially higher concentrations
of vitamins B, C and E.
Study volunteers receiving high-dose
multivitamins were no less likely to progress to AIDS or die from any cause;
CD4 cell gains and rates of undetectable viral loads were also no more
pronounced among those receiving high-dose multivitamins. In fact, there was
some evidence that severely malnourished individuals were more likely to die if
they were receiving high-dose multivitamins. Levels of liver enzymes were also
more likely to become seriously elevated among those receiving high-dose
multivitamins, compared with standard-dose multivitamins, a finding that
prompted the researchers to discontinue the study prematurely.
Though previous studies concluded
that high-dose multivitamins may help slow HIV disease progression and appeared
safe among individuals unable to secure access to antiretroviral therapy, the
researchers conclude that these new results underscore the need for adherence
to standard-dose multivitamin recommendations when antiretroviral therapy is being
used.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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