To investigate the efficacy of a nutritional supplement among ARV-naïve, asymptomatic HIV positive patients with a CD4 count in the range 300-550 cells/ul.
A total of 120 participants will be stratified by age and gender and randomly assigned to two treatment arms. Sixty (60) participants will be assigned to receive dietary counselling and a multivitamin/mineral supplement, with sixty (60) additionally receiving an oral Medical Nutritional Supplement (MNS).
Participants will be followed for six months post-randomization: at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The principal outcome measure is Body Mass Index, used as a proxy for 'nutritional status'. Secondary outcome measures include immune status and antioxidant status.
