Original Research

Does Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves supplementation have an impact on the weight and bone mass index of people living with HIV that are on antiretroviral therapy? A double-blind randomized control trial

Aisha Gambo, Nceba Gqaleni
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 13, No 3 | a444 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2022.2126 | © 2024 Aisha Gambo, Nceba Gqaleni | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 11 April 2024 | Published: 07 September 2022

About the author(s)

Aisha Gambo, Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nceba Gqaleni, Discipline of Traditional Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

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Abstract

Background. HIV-related weight loss and wasting were the most common malnutrition and AIDS-defining conditions before HAART. HAART has led to more obese PLHIV. HIV-positive patients should eat micro- and macronutrient-rich foods to maintain optimal nutrition. This study examined whether Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf supplementation affects PLHIV receiving ART.

Methods. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted. Two hundred patients with informed consent were randomly assigned to either the Moringa oleifera Lam. (MOG) group or the control group (COG). From baseline to six months of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf supplementation, anthropometric parameters [weight; BMI] of the participants were assessed.

Results. One hundred seventy-seven patients completed the 6-month follow-up (89 MOG versus 88 COG). During the study period, the MOG and COG had similar weights and BMIs (p>0.05). At baseline and six months, most participants in both study groups had a healthy BMI (18.5-24.9). Many participants were overweight; few were underweight (BMI<18.5). MOG and COG BMI differences at baseline and six months were not significant (p> 0.05). All experiments were 95CI.

Conclusions. Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf powder had no effect on HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy, in accordance with this study.


Keywords

Moringa oleifera Lam.; HIV; BMI; antiretroviral therapy

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Crossref Citations

1. Immunomodulatory effect of Artemisia annua and Moringa oleifera on viral load among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
Twinomujuni Silvano, E. Ogwang Patrick, C. Atukunda Esther, Martin Amanya, Nantongo Mary, Otim Richard, Nabatanzi Rose, Roelofsen Felicitas, Bagaya Bernard, Bazira Joel
African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology  vol: 17  issue: 10  first page: 199  year: 2023  
doi: 10.5897/AJPP2023.5373