| Vitamin A and beta-carotene | Keeps skin, lungs, and stomach healthy. | liver, whole eggs, milk, dark green, yellow, orange, and red
vegetables and fruit (like spinach, pumpkin, green peppers, squash,
carrots, papaya, and mangoes). Also found in orange and yellow sweet
potatoes | It's best to get vitamin A from food. Vitamin A supplements are toxic
in high doses. Supplements of beta-carotene (the form of vitamin A in
fruits and vegetables) have been shown to increase cancer risk in
smokers. |
| Vitamin B-group (B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, Folate) | Keeps the immune and nervous system healthy. | white beans, potatoes, meat, fish, chicken, watermelon, grains, nuts,
avocados, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables | |
| Vitamin C | Helps protect the body from infection and aids in recovery. | citrus fruits (like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons), tomatoes, and
potatoes | |
| Vitamin E | Protects cells and helps fight off infection. | green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and peanuts | Limit to 400 IU per day. |
| Iron | Not having enough iron can cause anemia. | green leafy vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas, dried fruit,
beans, red meat, chicken, liver, fish, and eggs | Limit to 45 mg per day unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
Iron may be a problem for people with HIV because it can increase the
activity of some bacteria. Supplements that do not contain iron may be
better. Ask your VA doctor. |
| Selenium | Important for the immune system. | whole grains, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, peanut butter, and nuts | Limit to 400 mcg per day. |
| Zinc | Important for the immune system. | meat, fish, poultry, beans, peanuts, and milk and dairy products | Limit to 40 mg per day. |
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