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Some doctors and nutritionists may not be aware that HIV-positive people require higher doses of vitamins. You may want to talk to more than one nutritionist.

Most vitamins, minerals, and supplements aren't covered by insurance plans, so you usually have to pay for them yourself.

The following suggestions are based on the protocol developed by Chester Myers, Ph.D. (an HIV and nutrition expert in Toronto). Before beginning any supplementation program, please consult a nutritionist or your physician.

• A daily multivitamin (choose one that contains 2,500 to 10,000 IU of Vitamin A; at least 25 mg, each, preferably 50 mg, of Vitamins B2 and B6; and 1 mg of folic acid. It should also contain 50 mcg each of chromium, selenium, and molybdenum, and 10-15 mg of iron. Multivitamins that contain these are usually balanced with the other vitamins and minerals that you need. A good one is called The Ultimate One Active by Multiple Choice).
• Vitamin C: 1,000 mg, taken in separate doses (500 mg, twice per day, or 250 mg, four times per day)
• Zinc: 30-50 mg per day
• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): 500 mg, three or four times per day
• Vitamin B12 by a non-stomach route: sublingual (under the tongue), twice daily; nasal gel, once daily; or injections, three times weekly).

• A daily multimineral (A good one is called Defense by nu-life).
• Iron: 2-3 mg per day, especially for women
• Magnesium: 200 mg per day
• Selenium: 200 mcg per day
• Copper: 3 mg every other day, to balance zinc
• B-Complex (B-50 or B-75)
• Beta-carotene: 25,000 IU
• Vitamin E: 200-400 IU
• Increase Vitamin C to 4000 mg a day spread out in several doses.