Effect of Antioxidant Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods on Blood Serum and Immune Activation of HIV Infected Patients in Abuja, Nigeria

ABSRACT Oxidative stress induced by free radicals (Reactive Oxygen species ) during Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection impairs immune functions through the destruction of cluster of differentiation antigen 4 (CD4+), causes more rapid disease progression, cell death e.g. blood cells, increase viral replication and increase requirements for dietary antioxidant such as B-carotene, Vitamin C and E respectively. These dietary requirements reduce oxidative stress and are very important especially in HIV/AIDS infected individuals. They can be found as finished antioxidants extracts called nutraceuticals (N) or as natural forms called functional foods (Fruits and Vegetables) (F). This study investigates the effects of antioxidants supplementation (both nutraceutical and functional food) on some hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, PLT, PCV, HB, etc) and the lipid of some HIV infected individuals. The result obtained showed that the dietary antioxidant supplementation brought about a significant increase (p<0.05) in the hematological parameters and the lipid profile of the test groups compared to the control. This show that dietary antioxidant supplementation may reduce the progression of HIV through the reduction of oxidative stress as evident in the increased CD4 levels of the test groups.