Yes, it may have taken a long time for most ordinary folk and experts to accept the central role of nutrition in disease management, particularly HIV/AIDS.

Unfortunately, the subject is shrouded in controversy because some camps want to promote single food commodities as magic bullets, but without much scientific basis.

Last week was abuzz with a string of debates around the world about the subject of nutrition and HIV, and to some extent nutrition vis-ˆ-vis ARVs.

This was sparked by the 16th International Conference on HIV/AIDS in Toronto, Canada. I sometimes shudder to imagine how much money is spent on workshops and conferences; money which could be going to the affected people.

Oh well, I guess this forms part of the development set; talking about hunger, poverty, disease and malnutrition over a 500g juicy steak, potatoes and gobbles of vintage wine! Let me say this; no single food has ever been known to cater for anyone's nutritional needs - whether in a healthy or illness state; with the exception of mother's milk.

So, the approach, from a nutritional perspective, is that of including a wide variety of nutritious foods in your diet that are as natural as possible.

HIV infection is a very delicate matter but not an impossible condition to manage effectively. Thar is where the notion that 'knowledge, when used correctly, is power'. For instance, I do not see anyone sitting with a bowl of garlic, lemons and beetroot in a bid to effectively manage HIV... or indeed AIDS!

But, I see a full spectrum of foods - the above included - as a way to care for this condition. Health status and socio-economic conditions permitting, I also see an infected person also taking Anti-Retro-Virals (ARVs) and drugs to combat opportunistic infections.

So, the message is not, have either food or drugs, but a mix of the two, especially where the infection has progressed further along to warrant drugs. Otherwise, for individuals with a relatively healthy CD4 count - obviously way above 200 - ensuring optimum nutrition is the best strategy as this will delay the progression to AIDS.

Do you know that there are individuals out there who have been living with the HI virus for 20 odd years and they are not on ARVs still? And what is their secret? Then again this is not a secret anymore really, but good scientific and common sense... Good nutrition, in addition to robust health-seeking behaviours such as regular check-ups and overall lifestyle modifications e.g. exercising, quitting cigarette/cigar smoking and alcohol.

It has long been established that malnutrition is a very prominent feature in the fight HIV/AIDS. The relationship between malnutrition and HIV creates a vicious cycle that weakens the immune system leading to a faster disease progression.

On other hand, if the requisite nutrients are consumed and the nutritional status is good, the infected individual will not progress to AIDS as quickly, and chances are that they will live a longer, healthier and productive life.

Since the declaration by the World Health Organization on nutrition and HIV/AIDS earlier this year, greater attention is paid to food and nutrition in HIV and AIDS management, particularly in relation to drug interventions.

And this topic was debated at length, I'm sure, at the just ended conference on HIV/AIDS in Toronto? Let me ask you this: Have you ever given much thought about how food and medicines work together?

Maybe not. Well, from now onwards, just know that at the heart of any medicinal therapy is food. Food is important, not only as sustenance but also as a medium through which the medicines work.

Food can improve or inhibit how well medicines perform their intended function in the body. That is why there are always those cute instructions to take the pills before, after or with meals. Whatever you do, never ignore these golden instructions!

People living with HIV-AIDs (PLWHA) taking several medications may face greater risk of malnutrition because of further, potentially harmful drug and food interaction and increased negative effects.

Therefore, the nutritional implications of modern and traditional therapies need to be properly addressed to prevent weight loss, wasting and malnutrition.

Proper management of drug and food interactions will also ensure the efficacy of the therapy. So, listen to the health practitioner. Read your labels. Follow instructions and eat healthfully!