A recent study from Tulane University published in JCI Insight highlights the ongoing gut damage experienced by individuals living with HIV, even when the virus is effectively suppressed by antiretroviral treatments. Researchers, led by Namita Rout, found that these treatments do not fully restore immune functions crucial for gut health, resulting in chronic inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The study involved nonhuman primates infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a model for HIV, which showed persistent signs of gut damage despite long-term therapy. Notably, the research identified that dietary compounds, particularly indoles found in vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, may enhance immune activity related to gut repair. After a month of receiving a broccoli-based supplement, the animals exhibited improved gut barrier integrity and favorable changes in immune cell populations. While these findings do not suggest that dietary supplements can treat HIV, they point to a biological pathway that remains responsive post-treatment, potentially guiding future nutritional strategies for better health outcomes in HIV patients. This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center.