Immune system battle with vitamin supplements interventions

Boost Your Immunity: Can Vitamins A & C Really Help with HIV and TB?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 5 min read.

"New study examines whether Vitamin A and C supplementation can modulate oxidative stress in HIV and HIV-TB co-infected patients, revealing surprising results."

HIV and tuberculosis (TB) infections often lead to increased oxidative stress, potentially weakening the body's defense systems. This has led to the exploration of antioxidant supplements, like vitamins A and C, as potential support for individuals battling these infections. While the idea of boosting the immune system with these vitamins is appealing, research findings have been mixed.

A new study conducted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Nigeria, investigated the impact of vitamin A and C supplementation on oxidative stress levels in people living with HIV, and those co-infected with HIV and TB. The goal was to determine if these readily available vitamins could offer a tangible benefit in managing the challenges posed by these infections.

This article breaks down the study's findings, explaining what oxidative stress is, how HIV and TB affect it, and what the research reveals about the effectiveness of vitamin A and C supplementation. We'll explore whether these supplements live up to the hype and what the implications are for individuals seeking to support their health during HIV and/or TB treatment.

Oxidative Stress, HIV, and TB: Understanding the Connection

Immune system battle with vitamin supplements interventions

Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells) and antioxidants (which neutralize free radicals) in the body. Both HIV and TB infections can disrupt this balance, leading to elevated levels of oxidative stress. This stress can contribute to immune dysfunction and disease progression.

Researchers know that in HIV-infected individuals, the virus directly and indirectly causes increased oxidative stress. TB infection also triggers oxidative stress as the body's immune system attempts to fight off the bacteria. When someone is co-infected with both HIV and TB, the combined effect on oxidative stress can be particularly significant.

Malondialdehyde (MDA): A marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating cell damage from oxidative stress. Higher levels generally suggest greater oxidative stress.
Catalase (CAT): An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, helping to reduce oxidative damage. Higher levels indicate better antioxidant defense.
Reduced Glutathione (GSH): A major antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Lower levels suggest reduced antioxidant capacity.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD): An enzyme that helps break down superoxide radicals, another type of harmful free radical. Higher levels indicate better antioxidant defense.

The LUTH study measured these key oxidative stress markers in participants before and after vitamin A and C supplementation to see if there were any significant changes. By comparing these levels, researchers hoped to determine if the vitamins could positively influence the balance of oxidative stress in those infected.

The Verdict: Do Vitamin A and C Supplements Make a Difference?

The study revealed that vitamin A and C supplementation didn't provide the anticipated benefits in modulating oxidative stress in HIV and HIV/TB co-infected individuals. In fact, in some instances, the vitamins seemed to have a counterproductive effect, potentially exacerbating oxidative stress.

Specifically, the research indicated that while there were some changes in oxidative stress markers after supplementation, the overall impact wasn't significantly positive. For example, in HIV/TB co-infected subjects, levels of SOD and CAT (both antioxidants) decreased after supplementation, while MDA (a marker of oxidative damage) increased. This suggests that, at the dosages used in the study, the vitamins didn't effectively bolster the antioxidant defense system.

It's crucial to remember that this study provides a snapshot of a specific population and intervention. More research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between HIV, TB, oxidative stress, and micronutrient supplementation. If you're living with HIV or TB, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate strategies for supporting your health, rather than self-prescribing supplements.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4314/ahs.v17i2.3, Alternate LINK

Title: Effect Of Vitamin A And Vitamin C Supplementation On Oxidative Stress In Hiv And Hiv-Tb Co-Infection At Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Luth) Nigeria

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: African Health Sciences

Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)

Authors: Oluwamayowa Makinde, Kunle Rotimi, Victor Ikumawoyi, Titilope Adeyemo, Sunday Olayemi

Published: 2017-07-13

Everything You Need To Know

What is oxidative stress, and why is it relevant to HIV and TB?

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells, and antioxidants, which neutralize those free radicals. Both HIV and TB infections can disrupt this balance. This disruption leads to elevated levels of oxidative stress, potentially contributing to immune dysfunction and disease progression. This process is particularly significant for individuals co-infected with both HIV and TB.

What was the purpose of the recent study on vitamin A and C?

The study investigated the impact of vitamin A and C supplementation on oxidative stress levels in people living with HIV, and those co-infected with HIV and TB. The main goal was to see if these readily available vitamins could offer a tangible benefit in managing the challenges posed by these infections. Researchers measured oxidative stress markers such as Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Reduced Glutathione (GSH), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) before and after supplementation to determine if there were significant changes.

What were the main findings of the study regarding vitamin A and C supplements?

The study's results indicated that vitamin A and C supplementation didn't provide the anticipated benefits in modulating oxidative stress in HIV and HIV/TB co-infected individuals. In some cases, the vitamins seemed to have a counterproductive effect, potentially exacerbating oxidative stress. This suggests that these supplements may not be effective in managing oxidative stress in these populations.

What are the key oxidative stress markers mentioned in the context?

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating cell damage from oxidative stress. Higher levels generally suggest greater oxidative stress. Catalase (CAT) is an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, helping to reduce oxidative damage. Higher levels indicate better antioxidant defense. Reduced Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant that protects cells from damage, lower levels suggest reduced antioxidant capacity. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that helps break down superoxide radicals, another type of harmful free radical, higher levels indicate better antioxidant defense.

What are the implications of the study's findings?

The implications are that vitamin A and C supplementation may not be a useful strategy for reducing oxidative stress in people with HIV or HIV/TB co-infection, and it could even be harmful. Individuals seeking to support their health during HIV and/or TB treatment should consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate course of action. Further research is needed to identify effective interventions for managing oxidative stress in these conditions.