Tuberculosis

🧠 What Is Tuberculosis (TB) & What’s Happening Inside the Body?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs, but can spread to other parts of the body too. It’s caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air—like when someone coughs or sneezes.

Inside the body, TB bacteria enter the lungs and trigger your immune system. The body tries to “lock away” the bacteria using special immune cells, but when your immunity is low, the bacteria break free and cause symptoms like long-term cough, weight loss, and fatigue.

🧬 Latent TB: You have the bacteria, but no symptoms.
🔥 Active TB: You feel sick and can spread it to others.

🔍 Common Root Causes

• Low immunity due to poor nutrition or chronic disease

• HIV, diabetes, or other infections

• Living in overcrowded or poorly ventilated areas

• Smoking or air pollution

• High stress, poor sleep, or undernourishment

📊 How Common Is It?

TB is very common in India, with nearly one in four global cases happening here. But it’s also highly treatable with proper medical and nutrition support.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

🧾 Most Common:

• Cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks

• Fever (especially at night)

• Night sweats

• Unexplained weight loss

• Tiredness and weakness

• Loss of appetite

• Chest pain or trouble breathing

• In severe cases: coughing up blood

✨ Symptoms may vary based on where TB affects the body. Not everyone has the same signs.

🥗 Nutrition in TB Management

TB puts a huge burden on the body—especially on your energy, muscles, and immunity. 

📌 The goal: Support healing, prevent weight loss, and strengthen immunity.

🍴 Core Dietary Focus:

• High-calorie, high-protein meals to prevent muscle loss

• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods to reduce damage

• Micronutrient-dense meals for immune support

• Easy-to-digest foods during treatment side effects (nausea, loss of appetite)
  
  

✅ Foods to Include:

• Energy boosters: rice, roti, potatoes, bananas, porridge

• Protein-rich foods: eggs, dal, milk, curd, paneer, lean meat, sprouts

• Immunity boosters: citrus fruits, amla, tomato, green leafy veg

• Healthy fats: nuts, seeds, ghee (in moderation), groundnut chutney

• Fluids: soups, buttermilk, coconut water

🔁 Frequent small meals help if appetite is low.

⚠️ Foods to Limit (Not Avoid):

• Deep-fried and overly spicy food (can worsen nausea)

• Excess caffeine or sugar (affects appetite and recovery)

• Raw or unclean food (especially in weakened immunity)

💡 Appetite and tolerance vary—diet should be personalized.

💊 Key Nutrients to Focus On

Malnutrition is common in TB. Certain nutrients are commonly low and must be replenished:

• Protein – helps repair tissues and fight infection

• Vitamin D – supports immune defense

• Vitamin A & C – promote healing and lung repair

• Zinc & Selenium – antioxidant defense

• B vitamins – help with energy and nervous system

• Iron – supports blood oxygen levels (only if not contraindicated)

❗ Avoid high-dose supplements unless prescribed. Balance from food is key.

🧘 Lifestyle Recommendations

Besides medicine and food, your daily habits also support TB recovery.

🏃 Movement:

• Gentle walking or stretching as energy allows

• Prioritize rest during early stages
  
  

😴 Sleep & Routine:

• Aim for 8+ hours of restful sleep

• Keep a regular meal and rest schedule

• Reduce screen time close to bedtime
  
  

🧘 Stress Management:

• Practice deep breathing or light meditation

• Listen to calming music or do gratitude journaling

• Stay connected with supportive people
  
  

👀 Watch Your Body Signals:

• Weight changes (aim for healthy gain if underweight)

• Appetite improvement

• Energy levels throughout the day

• Frequency of fever or night sweats

• Digestion and sleep quality
  
  

🧪 Key Blood Tests & Markers:

• CBC – to check for anemia and immune health

• Serum Albumin – marker of protein status

• CRP – inflammation level

• Vitamin D & B12 – immunity and energy

• Sputum test or Chest X-ray – to monitor TB status

• Repeat labs every 2–4 weeks during treatment
  
  

📞 Time to Take the Next Step

Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Nutrition plays a huge role in healing from TB—but every body is different.

👨⚕️ What You Get in a Consultation:

 One-on-one assessment of your nutritional and health needs
Customized eating plan based on your symptoms and stage
Tips to manage side effects like loss of appetite or nausea
Ongoing support for energy, weight, and immune strength

📅Click here to Book your free 30-minute consultation