Department of Family Medicine and
Community Health
Tufts School of Medicine
Boston, MA 02111
http://www.tufts.edu/med/research/nutrition_HIV/news.htm
Volume 6, Number 1, Winter, 2001
Review Author: Charlie Smigelski, R.D.
Book
Review: Built To Survive By Michael Mooney and Nelson Vergel http://www.medibolics.com/
Do you fit any of these scenarios?
·
I take 24
anti-HIV pills daily, and the virus is undetectable, but I am still thin and
tired.
·
I want the
muscle volume I had before I got sick.
·
I have
regained weight since I started taking HAART (anti-HIV treatment), but it’s all
fat and no muscle.
·
After
several years of using HAART, my arms, legs, and face have lost fat, I have a
pot belly, and my doctor is saying I have high blood sugar and triglycerides.
Most likely, at
least one of these statements applies to you. HIV medications are controlling
the virus, but people’s bodies may still be struggling from medication
side-effects or long-term HIV infection itself.
Michael Mooney and Nelson Vergel, authors
of the new book, Built to Survive,
want you to take a fork and dumbbell in hand to help restore your body. They
also advocate the use of anabolic steroids, which is controversial. The authors
rely largely on anecdotal evidence and only a handful of studies are
HIV-specific, due to scarce research. However, this book can serve as a basis
for discussion between patients and their doctors. Here are some points covered
in the book:
·
If you are getting
thin legs or a fat stomach, the USDA Food Guide Pyramid is not likely the best
food plan for you. Learn how more of the right fats and proteins, and fewer
refined starches (white bread, pasta) can help.
·
Although
aerobic exercise may improve symptoms of lipodystrophy, it is not best for
building lean muscle and preventing wasting. Learn the benefits of strength
training and why the usual advice—working each muscle group every other day—may
not be the most effective strategy.
·
With low
testosterone levels, wasted muscles, and no sexual thoughts in years, you may
be considering hormone therapy. It is vital to educate yourself on its risks
and benefits. The authors describe various steroids and discuss specific
dosages used in HIV studies, legal issues, and potential risks, including
increased prostate growth, cardiovascular disease, and liver toxicity.
Perhaps
your HIV care includes a carefully monitored diet and strength training
program. Perhaps your physician aggressively monitors lipodystrophy, checks
body cell mass twice yearly, and frequently measures testosterone levels. If
not, this book can provide some useful ideas to improve your wellness program.
Mooney and Vergel’s most vigorous message is—don’t just depend on medicines to
manage your health. Diet, exercise, and hormones, if appropriate, could help
you achieve the healthiest body and strongest immune system possible.