Everyone can take heed here. Whether its you or someone you know, share the information please.
A person who is infected with HIV & AIDS and is not showing signs of illness does not need a specific “HIV-diet”. However, those infected with HIV should make every effort to adopt healthy and balanced nutrition patterns in order to meet their increased protein and energy requirements and maintain their nutritional status.
Once people with HIV & AIDS become ill they will have special needs, which are described below.
PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV & AIDS HAVE INCREASED NUTRIENT NEEDS
When infected with the HIV virus the body’s defence system – the immune system – works harder to fight infection. This increases energy and nutrient requirements. Further infection and fever also increase the body’s demand for food. Once people are infected with HIV they have to eat more to meet these extra energy and nutrient needs. Such needs will increase even further as the HIV & AIDS symptoms develop.
HIV & AIDS reduces food intake
People with HIV & AIDS often do not eat enough because:
- The illness and the medicines taken for it may reduce the appetite, modify the taste of food and prevent the body from absorbing it;
- Symptoms such as a sore mouth, nausea and vomiting make it difficult to eat;
- Tiredness, isolation and depression reduce the appetite and the willingness to make an effort to prepare food and eat regularly;
- There is not enough money to buy food.
Taken from:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/Y4168E/y4168e06.htm
Take Action – What can I do?
- Family Learning Projects/Skills
- Computer Skills
- HBC (Home Based Care)
- Counselling Course
- Cooking & Sewing Skills
- Sales – Lit’The Fight Against HIV/AIDS; Nutrition; Health Supplements
- Facilitate Support Groups
- Monthly Health & Wellness refresher/update – Management
- Monthly on-site/branch Health & Wellness Awareness
- Transport/Lift Club for Support Group attendees
- HIV Policy and Company Statement
- Awareness posters/flyers and access to external support
- Off-site counselling and information
- Alternative option for Health/Wellness/Medication access
Mission
- Educate and empower
- Lead by example
- Provide positive values
- Healthy habits
- Choose ONE Project
Result: Real Life Power
Contact Cindy for more information on how you can possibly support this initiative.
Food allergies:
Many people are sensitive to certain foods, which can result in symptoms including intestinal distress, fatigue, and even weight gain. Common foods that create such problems are dairy, eggs, gluten (the protein in wheat), and soy, corn, and food additives.
Individuals that experience any of the above symptoms should experiment with eliminating these foods from their diets for a few weeks to see what changes occur. Then, reintroducing one at a time will give a good indication of which foods may be causing the problems.
Eating for a strong immune system starts with focusing on whole rather than refined foods. Eating organic foods as much as possible will make a big difference. You really don’t want to be adding the burden of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and feed, antibiotics and growth hormones to your system.
Supplements:
Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and herbs are an important part of making sure your nutritional needs are met. Taking a lot of supplements while maintaining a poor diet will not have the desired effects.
If you want to plant a garden, you could just dig a few holes, plant the seeds, and wait for something to happen. Maybe a few things would grow, but the crop would probably not be very bountiful.
Add compost and nutrients to the soil, water it properly, and you would reap the rewards. Think of a good diet as your way to amend your soil, then if you add a few supplements, there’s a good environment for growth. ~Gary Rosard~
Rancid fats and oils:
These create free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can initiate chain reactions of chemical disruption, injuring cell membranes, enzymes, and DNA. They have a negative impact on a wide range of conditions such as aging, cancer, inflammation, degenerative disease, viral infections, and AIDS.
Common sources of rancid fats and oils are nuts, chips, baked goods, and fried foods. At higher temperatures and exposure to light, oils and fats turn rancid more quickly. When foods are deep-fried, the fats used reach very high temperatures, and if the oil is re-used, as is invariably the case, the oxidative effect is magnified.
Most polyunsaturated vegetable oils, unless cold-pressed, are heated to high temperatures during processing. Hydrogenated vegetable oils, including shortenings and margarine, are also heat processed. These are all sources of free radicals. In addition, nitrates have been shown to cause cancer and should be avoided; they are found in hot dogs, sausages, salami and smoked meats.
Water:
This is the essential “ground zero” for regulating all of the body’s systems. It eases the job of the kidneys and liver to process and eliminate toxins from the blood.
It helps keep mucous membranes moist enough to combat the viruses they encounter.
It is a little known tool for reducing sugar cravings. Sugar cravings are often a sign of dehydration.
Try a big glass of water the next time you are craving sugar, then wait a few minutes and see if the need for the sugar is really still there.
Water, as well as other beverages, really should not be ice cold. Your body will have to use a lot of energy to warm it up to a temperature of 98.6 degrees it tries so hard to maintain. Try to have 6 to 8 glasses of pure water every day.
BAD FOOD
Raw foods:
Foods such as clams, oysters, sushi, very rare meats, and undercooked eggs contain infectious bacteria and intestinal parasites.
Infections that would not bother most people can be life threatening for those with compromised immune systems.
Even alfalfa and bean sprouts, which are usually associated with “health food,” contain a natural toxin that can harm the immune system. They really should be cooked before eating.
Raw fruits and vegetables should be well washed before eating.
GOOD FOOD
Protein: Generous amounts of high quality protein are important for maintaining rapid production of cells to support the immune system, preventing loss of lean muscle mass and boosting energy.
As much as possible, look for organic meat and poultry, have plenty of fish, especially those high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for building the body’s immune response.
These include salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, and tuna; flax seeds are another good source of this important nutrient. Dairy products may not be the best protein source since they create digestive problems for many people, such as excess gas, loose stools, mucous and congestion.
Yeast infections and thrush also thrive on dairy. Vegetarian sources of protein include soy products such as tofu and tempeh, and beans and legumes, having the added benefit of fiber, which animal foods do not provide.
Other helpful foods include onions, garlic (unless you are having liver problems), ginger, and turmeric (a spice that is a good anti-inflammatory).
Mushrooms such as shitake, oyster, and other Asian varieties, are noted for their immune-enhancing abilities. Sea vegetables are rich in minerals such as immune-boosting zinc, as well as calcium. Small quantities of fresh almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are also good sources for zinc and healthy fats.
BAD
Alcohol:
When consumed in excess, alcohol is a poison to every system of your body. It depresses the nervous system, inhibits the bone marrow’s ability to regenerate blood cells, is toxic to the liver, depletes B-vitamins, and is dehydrating. If you are taking protease inhibitors, which place significant stress on the liver, alcohol intake must be very moderate? Anyone with chronic hepatitis B or C should pay particular attention to this added stress to the liver, and try to avoid alcohol as much as possible.
GOOD
Fresh fruit:
Providing the same benefits as vegetables, fruits can be eaten as snacks, separate from protein for better digestion. Berries are particularly noted for their cancer preventative abilities. Fruit though is very high in sugar, so large quantities should be avoided, especially tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, etc. If you are prone to yeast infections (thrush, Candida), avoid fruit juices, since the high concentration of sugar promotes the growth of yeast in the digestive system.
Who will be the first to order the soon to be released audio version of my book?
AID My Journey
by
Cindy Pivacic
‘It is all about you if you can live with yourself, stuff everyone else!
I understand fully that it is a serious, terminal disease but it is manageable, so try to keep your sense of humour and “Deal With It”, sounds simple, but for some it will not be, that is why I would like to share the more positive side of my experience.’
With – Andiamo Recording Studio
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andiamo-Recording-Studio/234135143291496
I will put a ‘Bad Guys’ & ‘Good Guys’ up once a week till they are all here. Won’t bore you all in one go!!
The Bad Guys Sugar:
There is strong evidence that sugar has a negative effect on the function of the immune system. When white blood cells are exposed to high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, they have a decreased ability to engulf bacteria and have weakened systemic resistance to all infections. What is a high level of sugar? The normal sugar level in the bloodstream is approximately one teaspoon. A single can of soda or a bowl of ice cream has 12 teaspoons of sugar. The digestive system is overtaxed trying to prevent all that sugar from entering the bloodstream all at once, and the pancreas is also working hard to produce enough insulin to process the sugar. This is a lot of stress on your body. Refined carbohydrates, such as most breads and baked goods act pretty much like sugar in the body. These refined foods also lack the beneficial nutrients and fiber that are present in whole grains, and actually cause a depletion of minerals in your body. Try finding foods that are more gently sweetened with fruit juice, rice syrup or barley malt.
The Good Guys
Whole grains: Brown rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat (kasha), oats, barley, and other whole grains are a valuable source of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are an essential part of keeping the immune system healthy. Fiber helps cleanse the colon of toxins and helps prevent intestinal infections. Intact whole grains, not the flour products made from them are what really strengthen the digestive system Cooked grains make a great breakfast or a substitute for pasta, white rice or white potatoes.
The objective in founding AID My Journey–Support a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 093-243 and BEE Level 4) is to play a major role in the transformation of how HIV and AIDS is managed, providing valuable structured programmes on HIV and AIDS and programmes used to enhance individuals, employers and employees:
“Educate and empower people by providing local life skills programmes that promotes positive values, healthy habits, and education – resulting in real life power.”
A priority need for the HIV and AIDS programme, which operates daily, is funding for the offices.
AID My Journey-Support is requesting assistance to support programmes, namely;
a) Computer Skills Initiative
b) Training: Support Group Facilitator – Quality Living
These programmes will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.
An ongoing contribution will give AID My Journey-Support the resources to fulfil these requirements. I believe that the HIV and AIDS programme is consistent with the mission and interest of the target market vital to public needs, and hope that you will find it in your budget to support this program.
If I can provide additional information to encourage consideration of this request, please feel free to contact me.
I am also available as an IEC (Information-Education-Communication) Speaker on HIV and AIDS.
Please feel free to share this.
Regards
Cindy
