NUTRITION AND TUBERCULOSIS

NUTRITION AND TUBERCULOSIS

Dietary treatment of TB patients;

•Diet plays a vital role in fighting tuberculosis, nutrients dense foods options loaded with essential: vitamins, minerals and nutrients are considered for TB patients.

•Deficiency of nutrients especially protein ceases body’s ability to combat infections.

•It is important to consume a balanced diet to provide a body with nutrients that you need to fight tuberculosis.

qIt is particularly important to avoid consuming any alcohol during entire course of your treatment as this could result in treatment complications and side effects.

qMalnutrition is well known among adults with tuberculosis.

qMultiple micronutrients deficiencies are also common during tuberculosis

DIETARY TIPS FOR

TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

—An adequate amount of fruits and vegetables is required but a patient needs to stay with a correct calorie levels for a health weight.

—Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. Choose from all five vegetable sub-groups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.

—Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain foods each day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. At least half your grains should come from whole grains. Eating at least 3 ounce-equivalents of whole grains per day can reduce the risk of heart disease, may help with weight maintenance, and will lower your health risk for other chronic diseases.

—Consume 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products. Adults and children can consume milk and milk products without worrying that these foods lead to weight gain.

— For people who must avoid all milk products (e.g. individuals with lactose intolerance, vegans), non-dairy calcium-containing alternatives may be chosen to help meet calcium needs.

Dietary Fat

—Eat less than ten percent of calories from saturated fats and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, and eat as few trans-fats (hydrogenated fat) as possible.

—Maintain your total intake of fats/oils at between 20-35 percent of calories, with most fat coming from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat, such as oily fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

—Regarding meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products, choose lean, low-fat, or fat-free options.

carbohydrates

—Eat fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as often as possible.

—Consume foods and drinks with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners.

protein

—Eat lean meats and poultry.

—Bake, broil, or grill food.

—Eat a variety of protein rich foods, with more fish, beans, peas, nuts and seeds

Dietary Recommendations for TB Patients

1.To promote healing eat a diet consisting of at least 50 percent raw vegetables and fruits. Also eat alfalfa sprouts, fish, pomegranates, raw cheese, raw seeds, nuts and whole grains.

2. Drink fresh pineapple and carrot juice and a green drink daily.

3. You can make puree of steamed asparagus in a blender. Refrigerate and take four tablespoons twice a day. Asparagus stimulates immune function.

4. Make home made sugar free yoghurt and buttermilk a part of your diet. You can also take an acidiophillus supplement, because TB patients need to take antibiotics for a long time. Hence it is advisable to supplement it with probiotics. Do not take acidophilus the same time as you take antibiotic but do make sure that you take it. 

5. Quit smoking and drinking of alcohol or any kind of recreational drugs when you are on anti-tubercular-treatment. All these negatively impact the ability of the immune system to fight infection. Smoking is even more dangerous than usual in the presence of lung infections.

6. When preparing food for such people you should ensure that the food is simple, easy to digest and has cereal and pulse combination.

7. Try to include quality sources of protein in the diet because protein is needed for tissue repair. Good vegetarian sources or protein are—paneer and soya

—8. Good sources of vitamin C like sprouted moong, guava, amla and oranges should be incorporated in the meal plan

9. Emphasize on fresh fruits and vegetables.

10. Patients should try and keep away from stress. They should practice meditation to unwind themselves. Rest, sunshine and fresh air are just perfect companions to Anti-Tubercular-Treatment

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Recommended Supplements for TB patients

TB being an opportunistic disease the best defense against it is healthy immune system. When on Anti-Tubercular Treatment it is advised to do the following.

1.Incorporate a high quality multivitamin in your diet.

2.Take a good quality antioxidant like Coenzyme Q 10 to support your immune strength.

3. Take supplemental vitamin C because it is one of the best antioxidants available in nature.

4. You can take supplements of B complex because its needed for energy production—  

CONCLUSION

—If you don't have an appetite -- Try to eat your favorite foods. Instead of eating 3 big meals each day, eat 6 to 8 small meals. Drink high-calorie protein shakes with your meals or between meals.

—If you have diarrhea -- Don't eat fried foods and other high-fat foods like potato chips. Also avoid high-fiber foods. Instead, eat bland foods such as bread, rice and applesauce. Ask your doctor about taking nutritional supplements, such as Ensure.

—If you have mouth sores -- Avoid citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit. Avoid very hot or cold foods. Don't eat spicy foods. Try not to eat hard foods like chips and pretzels. Use a straw to drink liquids.

—If you have nausea and vomiting -- Avoid drinking any liquid with your meals. Eat 6 to 8 small meals each day instead of 3 large meals. Eat foods with a mild flavor. Eat foods at a medium temperature, not too hot or cold. Drink nutritional supplements and sports drinks. Sit and relax for 30 minutes after you eat.

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