Beta carotene may lower risk of infections - Brief Article

Nutrition Health Review, Winter, 2002

More than 50 million people worldwide have been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A lack of vitamin A, which contributes to strong mucosal epithelial lining, may increase the risk of certain infections and has been associated with risk of HIV infection in underdeveloped nations.

Research published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (26:352, 2001) focused on men and women who were treated at two clinics in India that specialize in sexually transmitted disease. The lifestyles of these patients put them at an above-average risk of contracting HIV. Researchers studied the blood levels of 44 patients who were HIV-positive and 44 patients who were HIV-negative.

Patients with low levels of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, were 21 times more likely to be HIV-positive. Although intake of vitamin A should not be seen as a way of reducing the possibility of contracting HIV or AIDS, regular intake of antioxidant micronutrients, such as carotenoids, may be useful in maintaining good health and resistance to general infection.