Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Tuberculosis is an infection of the lungs that is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When a person with tuberculosis speaks, coughs or sneezes, he or she expels small droplets into the air. Droplets dry out quick, but bacteria remain airborne for days. When they are inhaled by a healthy individual, bacteria reach the lungs and develop a small infection that rarely gives any symptoms. Bacteria can remain dormant for months or even years without doing any obvious harm. However, when they find a favourable environment, they become reactivated and invade the lungs. The infection can also spread via blood from the lungs to other parts of body such as urinary tract, intestines, bones, skin, lymph nodes and sexual organs.

Typical symptoms of tuberculosis include persistent cough, sputum production with blood, fever, night sweats, fatigue, tiredness, lack of appetite and weight loss. Treatment of tuberculosis includes a combination of 3 different kinds of antibiotics given over eight to nine months.

A weakened immune system increases the risk of getting tuberculosis. People with different health conditions especially HIV and AIDS are more likely to contract this infectious disease.

If you have a compromised immune system, then you should regularly take a dietary supplement that boosts your immune system. Natures Aid Immune Support + with Beta-Glucans is a popular brand on the market that contains Elderberry, Ester-C and Beta-Glucans in its formulation. This supplement promotes a healthy immune system and improves your body’s resistance against bacteria and viruses. You should take one tablet per day with food or cold drink.

Folliculitis is a skin disorder that occurs due the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It appears as numerous red little bumps on body parts including cheeks, arms, chest, back, legs, buttocks and groin area. However, this disease does not affect the soles, palms, mouth and eyes. Although folliculitis usually affects teenagers and adults, it is also seen in elderly people. People with chronic illnesses such as hepatitis B or C, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer are more prone to develop this disease.

Folliculitis may occur due to the simple irritation, blockage of hair follicles, shaving and friction from clothing. The damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria or fungus. Symptoms include itching, rashes, and pimples near a hair follicle in the genital area, groin, back, neck or other body parts. Sometimes, scratching off the top of a pimple reveals a small coiled hair within. Treatment includes a combination of antibiotic lotions, antibiotic pills and antibacterial washes or antifungal medications to control the infection.

If you have a compromised immune system and often experience infections like folliculitis, then it makes a good idea to use a supplement that helps support your immune system Vitabiotics Immunace Healthy Immune System contains highly effective antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins E, C and carotenoids, trace minerals and amino acids that help eliminate harmful chemicals including free radicals from the body. It is a synergistic dietary supplement of 24 nutrients that helps maintain optimal cell defence and healthy immune resistance. Take one tablet per day with your main meal.

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is the third leading cause of death in people aged 25 to 50. HIV gradually weakens the body’s immune system and leads to AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This virus replicates in the blood and kills the helper T cells. As a result, a sufferer becomes vulnerable to the diseases and infections that he or she otherwise could fight off.

Two decades ago, the AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence as there was no proper treatment available at that time. However, the modern advancements in the medical science have made HIV or AIDS a lifelong disease that can be successfully managed with drugs. However, living with HIV virus for decades is not easy and HIVers are more prone to acquire a number of diseases and conditions including pneumonia, tuberculosis, wasting syndrome and different types of cancer especially colorectal cancer.

HIV sufferers should consume lots of vitamins, minerals and protein on a regular basis to boost their immune system and energy levels. Diets they must eat include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, legumes and pulses.

They should also take a multivitamin supplement such as BioCare Vitaforte Banana Multivitamins & Minerals with L. acidophilus 15 to improve their compromised immune system. This supplement contains the major vitamins and minerals with the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus. It is high in B-complex, vitamin D, carotene, zinc and magnesium. B vitamins help absorb energy from food and improve immune system, where as zinc and magnesium help maintain a good physical and sexual health. Probiotics maintain the health of digestive system and relieve the symptoms of stomach blotting and indigestion.

Cachexia or wasting syndrome is an abnormal condition in which one loses too much lean weight due to certain underlying causes. For an individual, the loss of fat might occur due to dieting, exercising or a combination of both. However, if one starts to lose lean body weight like muscle, the whole body chemistry can change.

If you lose more that 7% of your body weight, it could be a sign of wasting and you should immediately consult your physician. The important reasons that are responsible for the cachexia include tuberculosis, cancer and AIDS. It is important to remember that wasting is a very serious condition and it can kill you. Therefore, never delay and talk to your doctor.

People with HIV should eat more because extra muscle will help them fight HIV. They should consume plenty of starches, carbohydrates and protein, with moderate amounts of fat. Protein helps maintain and build muscles and HIVers should regularly consume lean meats, seeds, nuts, beans and whole grains.

They should also use a dietary supplement that contains protein in its formulation. Reflex Instant Whey Protein Powder contains whey protein as the main source of protein. This supplement makes a combination of two muscle building ingredients. Whey protein hydrolsate that is rich in amino acids and peptides. Moreover, Instant Whey contains Lactospore pro-biotics and Digenzyme enzymes. The former promotes a healthier gut whereas the latter enhances the protein digestion. This supplement also provides Immunoglobulin, Glycomacropeptide, Lactoferrin, Lactoperoxidase and more.

Research has revealed that people with chronic infections particularly HIV have higher levels of free radicals in their bodies, which promote viral replication at a much faster pace.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, zinc and selenium appear to inhibit HIV activity, reduce oxidative stress, and slow HIV disease progression. As HIVers have higher levels of free radicals, they are more susceptible to develop various types of cancer especially colorectal cancer, prostrate cancer, liver cancer and stomach cancer. Antioxidants help destroy free radicals within the body that damage tissues and trigger the formation of cancerous cells.

Antioxidants also help reduce liver fibrosis in people with chronic liver infections particularly hepatitis B and C. Moreover, antioxidants protect the liver from toxicity as they help metabolize drugs.

Foods rich in antioxidants include citrus fruits, lemon, strawberry, blackberry, cherry water melon, peach, mango, nuts, whole grains, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and carrot.

It is also a good idea to use a supplement that makes use of antioxidants in its formulation. Pharma Nord Bio Pycnogenol Antioxidant is a popular brand on the market that is derived from the maritime pine bark extract. It contains over 40 bio-flavonoids that protect the cells from the damage by unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals.

Not only does it give a therapeutic benefit and inhibit HIV activity, but it also enhances the health of blood vessels. Moreover, it reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is a well balanced product that gives maximum benefits and optimum absorption. There are no known contra-indications or side effects of this supplement.

Good nutrition means getting enough micronutrients and macronutrients. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Important vitamins are vitamin A, B-complex, C, D, E and K. Minerals can further be classified into two categories: macro-minerals and micro-minerals. Macro-minerals include calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium whereas micro-minerals include zinc, iodine, iron, molybdenum, selenium, sodium, chlorine, copper and manganese.

Macronutrients contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates and calories (energy). It is very important to include macronutrients in your diet because they help you maintain your body weight. Micronutrients, on the other hand, will not prevent weight loss but keep your tissues working properly.

When your body fights any infection particularly HIV, it uses more energy to overcome intruded foreign bodies and you need to eat more than normal. Therefore, it becomes very important that you follow a diet plan consisting of macronutrients and micronutrients. There are some very basic guidelines for a well balanced nutritious diet.

For protein, you need to consume more fish, poultry, whole grains and legumes rather than red meats. Consumption of red meat on a regular basis can elevate your serum cholesterol levels. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables liberally at snack or meal time. Fruits and green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fibre.

It is important to remember that brown rice and bread (brown starches) are much healthier than their white counterparts. Make sure that you keep the consumption of refined sugars to a minimum. Avoid eating bakery items especially cakes, biscuits etc. Cooked food is healthier than canned food and prepackaged processed food.

If you find it quite difficult to include a balanced diet plan in your daily routine, then you should consume a dietary supplement that provides your body with essential nutrients.

Lucozade Sport Pro Muscle All In One is a fat-free high protein product that is designed to improve strength, power, vigour and stamina. It contains high quality protein, carbohydrates, creatine and calories. It makes a wonderful gift for those people who have been suffering from chronic infections. It provides energy and helps maintain body weight.

A recent research has revealed that zinc-rich foods have the potential to improve immunity and chronic inflammatory responses in HIV positives. Zinc deficiency often leads to the aging of the immune system, also known as immunosenescence, in elderly and HIVers.

A research published in 2010 demonstrated that low blood levels of zinc may lead to the rapid progression of HIV towards AIDS. Zinc is involved in more than 200 of the body’s metabolic enzymes and it makes an integral part of both hormone function and immune function. A deficiency of zinc often leads to the impaired functions of the immune cells as it affects multiple aspects of immunity.

Zinc-rich foods include aphrodisiac or oyster, liver, seafood, salmon, crab, poultry, brown rice, nuts, pine nuts, seeds, cottage cheese, milk, turkey and yogurt. Moreover, zinc is also found in foods containing protein, like nuts and lean meats.

You can also take zinc in the form of dietary supplement to maintain a healthy immune system. Higher Nature Super Nutrition Multivitamins makes a complete mineral and multivitamin supplement that includes zinc and other trace minerals such as selenium, silicon and molybdenum in its formulation. The nutrients in this supplement are 2-8 times more bioavailable than standard isolated minerals and vitamins.

This supplement makes an ideal gift for elderly and HIV positive people because it helps improve immune system and boosts CD4 T-cell counts. Super Nutrition is gentle on the stomach and is ideal for compromised digestion and absorption. You can take 1-3 tablets a day, with or between meals.