Herbs, supplements and HIV

January 2005     View PDF     En español

Vitamin E, vitamin A and anti-HIV therapies

Previous reports suggest that vitamin E levels are decreased in people living with HIV. Also, low levels of vitamin E have been associated with increased risk of disease progression. Researchers in the United Kingdom sought to evaluate vitamin E levels among 33 people before and six weeks after starting anti-HIV therapy. They compared levels to those seen in otherwise healthy HIV-negative people. Those taking multivitamins were not eligible.

Investigators found that before starting anti-HIV therapy, vitamin E levels were lower (21 µmol/l) among people with HIV compared to HIV-negative people (30 µmol/l). Contrary to earlier reports, people with AIDS had slightly higher vitamin E levels (24 µmol/l) than people with HIV who did not have AIDS (19 µmol/l). After six weeks of therapy, vitamin E levels normalized among people with HIV (28 µmol/l) compared to the HIV-negative people (26 µmol/l).

Vitamin A levels were also evaluated. No differences were seen in vitamin A levels either before or six weeks after starting anti-HIV therapy. Moreover, vitamin A levels were in normal healthy ranges, roughly equivalent to those seen in HIV-negative people, both before and after therapy. Further, no differences were seen in vitamin A levels between healthy HIV-positive people and those with AIDS.

This study suggests that for people taking anti-HIV therapy, vitamin E supplements are likely not necessary. Moreover, vitamin A deficiencies were not noted with HIV infection, regardless of stage of disease. It remains unknown if vitamin E supplements will benefit people not on anti-HIV therapy.