Provided are methods of treating HIV patients by administering to the patient a nutrient composition and at least one anti-retrovial drug. The method results in an increase in the patient's CD4+ cell count by at least 25% during a treatment period. The nutrient composition includes alpha lipoic acid； acetyl L-carnitine； N-acetyl-cysteine； zinc； selenium； vitamin C； bioflavinoid complex； vitamin E； one or more antioxidants selected from co-enzyme Q10 and glutathione； and one or more vitamins or minerals selected from beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum.
