The recommended treatment of new-onset pulmonary tuberculosis, as of 2010, is six months of a
combination of antibiotics containing rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for the first
two months, and only rifampicin and isoniazid for the last four months. [13] Where resistance to
isoniazid is high, ethambutol may be added for the last four months as an alternative. [1
The Right Diet to Beat
Tuberculosis
You know you need to take your medications each day to
beat active tuberculosis, but are you aware that getting the
right nutrition can help speed treatment?
By Diana Rodriguez
Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
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While the treatment of active tuberculosis is very long term – up to a year of
daily antibiotics – you can help yourself feel better sooner and help your
body fight off the disease by making sure you’re getting the right nutrition.
Your body needs healthy nutrients now more than ever.
People who are malnourished or underweight are more likely to
get tuberculosis and are also more susceptible to reinfection or relapse of
TB after treatment. Malnutrition leads to decreased immunity, and your body
needs to be as strong as possible to defend itself against those tough
tuberculosis bacteria.
It’s a vicious cycle: Poor nutrition can actually encourage the persistence of
active tuberculosis disease, and active tuberculosis leads to worsening
malnutrition. So to keep your body primed to fight TB, you have to feed it
right.
Getting Good Nutrition When You Have TB
To give your body the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to
fight active tuberculosis and regain your strength and stamina, you need to
eat a diet containing a variety of healthy foods, such as:
Leafy, dark-colored greens like kale and spinach, for their high iron
and B-vitamin content
Plenty of whole grains, like whole wheat pastas, breads, and cereals
Antioxidant-rich, brightly-colored vegetables, such as carrots, peppers,
and squash, and fruits, like tomatoes, blueberries, and cherries — think
of buying produce in a full rainbow of colors
Unsaturated fats like vegetable or olive oil, instead of butter
Talk to your doctor about whether you have any nutrient deficiencies and if
taking a daily multivitamin with minerals makes good nutrition sense for
you. A recent review of the limited studies done on supplements in patients
with TB showed some evidence that high-calorie energy supplements helped
underweight patients gain body weight, and that zinc, combined with other
micronutrients or with vitamin A, may offer nutritional help. The reviewers
concluded that additional studies are needed.
What to Avoid When You Have Active Tuberculosis
As is always the case for good health, there are certain foods you shouldn’t
eat and substances you shouldn’t use.
Skip tobacco in all forms.
Don't drink alcohol — it can add to the risk of liver damage from some
of the drugs used to treat your TB.
Limit coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
Limit refined products, like sugar, white breads, and white rice.
Avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol red meat and instead load up on
leaner protein sources like poultry, beans, tofu, and fish.
Getting and Staying Healthy With Active TB
Many medications used to treat active tuberculosis have side effects that can
make it difficult to eat well. With some drugs, you could:
Lose your appetite
Feel nauseated
Vomit
Experience abdominal cramping
You can’t stop taking your TB drugs, so instead talk to your doctor about
what you can do to help eliminate side effects.
Make every effort to give your body the nutrition it needs to maintain a
healthy weight and build up strength to destroy the tuberculosis bacteria and
reduce your risk of a relapse. Eating a varied, healthy diet, and staying away
from unhealthy habits, will help you feel better, faster.
Foods to Avoid If Diagnosed With
Tuberculosis
BY AUGUST MCLAUGHLIN OCT. 03, 2017
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria that primarily affect your lungs. TB
is uncommon in the U.S., thanks to effective medications and vaccinations, according to
the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, more cases have appeared since
the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Potential symptoms of TB include swollen glands, breathing
difficulty, weight loss, cough, fever and chills. In addition to rest and medications, a
healthy diet, limited in certain foods, may enhance your recovery.
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Greasy Foods
Greasy foods, such as fried beef and chicken, bacon, french fries and onion rings,
contribute hefty amounts of saturated fat -- fats associated with high cholesterol and
increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Greasy foods can also exacerbate
symptoms that accompany TB, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fatigue,
according to the World Health Organization. This is problematic in numerous ways,
since severe diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and related complications. For
best results, choose baked, broiled and steamed foods prepared without butter, high-fat
cheese or creamy sauces.
Trans-Fatty Acids
Trans-fatty acids, or trans fats, are fats created through a process in which hydrogen is
added to vegetable oil. Unlike the plant-based oils they derive from, trans fats can
cause unhealthy cholesterol levels and inflammation. Eliminating trans-fatty acids from
your diet may help reduce TB symptoms, notes UMMC. To avoid these unhealthy fats,
avoid margarine; shortening; commercially prepared cookies, cakes, pastries and
crackers; and all foods that list partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient.
Replace these typically low-moisture, low-nutrient foods with fresh foods, such as fruits
and vegetables, for heightened benefits.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates such as flour and sugar provide empty calories, or calories
devoid of nutrients. While modest amounts of refined carbohydrate sources may not
cause harm, particularly if you're limited to low-fiber foods due to diarrhea, UMMC
recommends that most TB patients avoid these foods for improved wellness and
symptoms. Common sources of refined carbohydrates include enriched breads, cereals,
pasta and baked goods; instant rice; and foods and beverages rich in added sugars,
such as regular soft drinks, candy, sorbet, frosting, pancake syrup, jam and jelly. For
additional benefits, replace refined carbohydrate sources with fiber-rich foods, such as
whole grains and starchy vegetables.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can make resting and sleeping difficult, which can delay healing
from TB. Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption may also have a diuretic, or fluid-
flushing, effect and prevent you from consuming healthier beverages, such as water,
low-fat milk or pure juices. UMMC recommends that TB patients consume caffeine-free
green tea -- a valuable source of antioxidants -- in place of regular green tea for
improved wellness.
