Examining the Bioavailability of Antioxidant Vitamins in Chosen Local Vegetables and Their Use in HIV/AIDS Management: A Study in Butula, Busia, Kenya

The global picture of HIV statistics is overwhelming. The UNAIDS and WHO have estimated that 25 million people have died of AIDS and 39.5 million people are currently infected with HIV. The study investigated the feeding pattern of the PLWHA in the Butula division and determined vitamin A, C, and E content and bioavailability in selected indigenous foods for use in the management of HIV and AIDS. Animal and plant foods accounted for 45.17 %, 21.9 %, 17.48 %, and 73 %, respectively of total foods consumed. Freshly blanched vegetables contained high levels of \(\beta\)-carotene; 4000-9700\(\mu\)g/100g and \(\alpha\)-tocopherol; 3000-7350\(\mu\)g/100g. Solar-dried vegetables contained \(\beta\)-carotene of range 572-854\(\mu\)g/g DW and \(\alpha\)-tocopherol of 281-673\(\mu\)g/g DW, which is significantly lower (P<0.05) than fresh vegetables determined by HPLC. L-ascorbic acid content in fresh vegetables and fruits determined by redox titration ranged from 6 to 65mg/100g. Mean serum retinol, \(\alpha\)-tocopherol, and \(\beta\)-carotene levels were 0.937, 0.144, and 17.787\(\mu\)mol/l, respectively, determined using HPLC. CD4+ cell counts in blood determined using a flow cytometer were within the normal range of 500-1500 cells/\(\mu\)l while the CD8+ cell count was in the range of 300-3300 cell/\(\mu\)l of blood. Hb was less than 12 g/dL, and RDW was less than 15.2% indicating anaemia. 88.35% of the subjects had a CD4/CD8 ratio of less than 1, 9.71% had a CD4/CD8 ratio range of 2-3, and 1.94% had a ratio greater than 4.77.95% of the subjects had a normal weight, 11.81% were underweight, 8.66% were overweight, and 1.57% were obese. Bioavailability in foods estimated using the algorithm indicated a +2.17 change in serum \(\beta\)-carotene and +7.776 changes in serum \(\alpha\)-tocopherol levels, indicating that consumption of the foods would result in improving bioavailability of these nutrients in PLWHA in Butula. The study concluded that a high intake of micronutrients has been associated with reduced progression of HIV to AIDS and improved survival. Butula division is a region where indigenous vegetables known to be rich in micronutrients do well during the rainy season but become scarce in the dry season.