10 Dietary Tips for Fast Recovery From Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis can be categorized as an infectious disease which can turn out to be very dangerous if not checked or taken care of properly in time. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease which spreads through a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 

This disease is generally developed and observed in people who are undernourished and do not have a balanced diet. Now, there is a substance to combat tuberculosis as found by researchers which is named as lactone EZ120, this interferes with the formation of bacteria's mycomembrane. 

The substance which the researchers have found is seen to have an action which inhibits biosynthesis of the mycomembrane and oftenly kills it with immediate effect.

Few symptoms could be seen if a person has been infected with tuberculosis such as loss of weight, weakness and shortness of breath. 

So, there are certain foods whose consumption could turn out to be very beneficial for a person suffering from tuberculosis. And if a person has an intake of these healthy foods then this is surely going to help him dealing with the disease.

Few foods which have proved helpful for a good recovery from tuberculosis:

• High calories intake: 

Food rich in calories means food which has so many nutrients. This nutrient rich food could be seen meeting up the rising metabolic demands of the patient. This food is surely going to prevent the patient from having any further weight loss. Some food products such as banana, cereal porridge, peanut chikki, wheat and ragi prove so helpful and beneficial for a person suffering from tuberculosis.

• Food rich in Vitamin A,C and E:

Some food and vegetable products such as orange, mango, sweet pumpkin and carrots, guava, amla, tomato, nuts and seeds could be seen as an excellent source of Vitamin A, C and E. These are the must-have food products which are to be included in a patient's diet who is suffering from tuberculosis.

• Protein rich food:

Appetite loss is a serious problem faced by a tuberculosis patient. So, it is necessary for the patient that they have food products introduced in their diet which are very rich in protein content. There are food products which are very rich in protein content such as eggs, paneer and soya chunks belong to this category. These food products are known to provide the required amount of energy to the patient with absorption of it by the body of the patient. One thing should be kept in mind that these protein rich products should be easily digested by the patient without putting much stress to the patient's food pipe.

• Food rich in B Complex Vitamin:

Seeds, nuts, fish, chicken, grains and cereals are some products which are known to have very high content of vitamin B complexes. These food products are known to be taken in a moderate amount by the patient suffering from tuberculosis. This is done to prevent any kind of adverse effect of  vitamin B complex overtake.

• Food rich in Zinc:

Nuts and seeds are known to be a great source of zinc which provides our body with the essential nutrients that it requires. Nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds have proven to be very beneficial for a patient having tuberculosis. If these certain food products are introduced and included in a patient's daily diet program he will surely be able to fight disease in a much more effective manner. 

• Water:

Water should be drunk in excessive quantities by the patient. The patient should have water and ORS type of liquids to drink (spoonful of honey with warm water and fresh lemon juice). This ORS type of drink will surely prove to be very helpful because it has citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, etc involved which are known greatly for their effect of increasing immunity of a person. This increase in immunity means faster recovery for a patient. 

• Seasonal vegetables and fruits:

These food products can be given to the patient because they will easily make the patient feel full as they are too filling. But some precautions are to be taken like these vegetables and fruits should not be given to the patient in place of essential food products which are important for proteins, carbs and healthy fats. These vegetables and fruits should be taken in adequate amounts because they are rich in so much fiber and the patient is restful which can prove to have an adverse effect like bloating up.

• Simple carbs and fats:

The patient's diet should have coarse grains, potatoes, oats and boiled rice which are in the category of simple carbs whereas maida or refined flour, pizza, burgers, and every other processed and packaged food should be avoided because they fall in the category of bad carbs. Fats (all of them) are considered to be a bad effect for the liver. But healthy fats like a spoon of pure ghee or butter, various nuts (soaked and peeled almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, dry roasted chana ) are arranged in minimal quantities. Carbohydrates are to be taken in the same amount as  proteins. 

• Soups or boiled foods:

For non vegetarians they can have chicken soup without any cream. For vegetarians they can have various boiled food products such as chickpea. And they can also use the clear liquid in which the chickpea was soaked as a soup after boiling it. 

• Milk:

Milk has a lot of proteins which can help the patient go through the full day's activities. If the milk is given to the patient in the form of a milk shake (not thick, to avoid stress to the food pipe) by adding a variety of fruits such as mango, banana, berries of different kinds ( strawberry, blueberry etc). This shake will help the patient to have carbohydrate along with protein in his diet which will be a good energy booster and thus, increase the metabolism for the patient.

Tuberculosis is known to have a very great effect on the life of the infected person. A healthy and a balanced diet enhances and ensures quick recovery for the patient and quality of life. After a patient has recovered from tuberculosis this will improve your productivity in life ( post recovery).