Zinc-enriched cookies improve immunity and decrease opportunistic diaseases in AIDS patients

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system resulting from infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) virus. Methods: The study was carried out between 2015 and 2016 with patients who attended a Specialized Center for Parasitic Infectious Diseases in Paraná. The research was divided into two stages, where the effects of supplementation on TC4 + cells, viral load (LV) and number of opportunistic diseases were verified. 20mg / day of zinc was added to the cookies for 3 months. Results: Data analysis does not show statistical differences in VL and Zinc supplementation; however, supplementation shows that it is able to promote an increase in the TCD4 + count. Patients reported an improvement in their well-being and a decrease in the incidence of opportunistic diseases. Conclusion: Thus, it was observed that zinc supplementation was highly effective in increasing TCD4 + positively improving the immune response and quality of life. In addition, the supplementation in the form of biscuits proved to be innovative and very effective.