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The possibility of chronic drug users has decreased CD4 cell count below 200 is lower than people taking a placebo when treated with zinc supplements. That's according to a study presented at the Conference of the International AIDS Society (IAS) to-5 on Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention of HIV on July 21, 2009 in Cape Town.

Low zinc levels are quite common among chronic drug users. In HIV disease, low levels of zinc are associated with immune function worse. However, no studies that examined whether zinc supplementation in this population might be protective against decline in immunity.


To examine the use of zinc supplements, Marianna Baum PhD. RD, and colleagues from the Faculty of Public Health Stemper at Florida International University in Miami zinc supplements compared with placebo in 231 active drug users are HIV-positive. Women who received 12 mg of zinc use per day, and a man wearing a 15 mg per day.

Approximately 60% of participants used antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), and both groups have an equal number of CD4 - 326 of 307 recipients in the zinc and placebo recipients. The level of compliance is measured in all patients. Immunological failure is defined as a decrease in CD4 cell count below 200.


During the first 12 months of research, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. However, at month 18, the possibility of placebo recipients achieved by immunological failure four times higher than the recipients zinc supplements. It remains the same even after controlling for age, sex, lack of food, baseline CD4 cell counts, viral load and antiretroviral therapy.

The authors concluded that zinc supplements for drug users are HIV-positive is a safe and effective way to protect the immune system