Fight TB with Nutrition – Breaking the TB-Malnutrition Cycle

Imagine a battle being fought on two fronts: tuberculosis (TB) raging like an epidemic, and malnutrition quietly fueling its spread. This toxic combination poses a ticking time bomb for India’s health system, threatening widespread devastation. When malnutrition weakens our immunity, TB finds fertile ground to thrive. Breaking this cycle is crucial to safeguarding our nation’s health. Let’s explore why this mission matters, the progress being made, and how every individual, community, and institution can play a role in winning this fight.

TB-malnutrition connection

Why Nutrition Matters in TB Care

Malnutrition, a widespread issue in India, makes people more vulnerable to TB by compromising their immune systems. Data from the Ni-kshay portal reveals that the median weight of adult male TB patients is just 43 kg, and for women, it’s 38 kg, signalling severe undernutrition among those affected [1] . The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) further notes that 19.3% of Indian adults are underweight, amplifying the TB risk across communities [2] . Undernutrition increases TB risk as people with low body weight or inadequate diet are much more likely to develop active TB from latent infection. One study shows this two-way relationship clearly: undernourished individuals are more susceptible to TB, and TB worsens nutritional status [3] . Over 50% of TB patients in India have undernutrition; among tribal populations the rate rises to 51.4% [4] . Malnourished TB patients have delayed recovery, higher relapse rates, and greater risk of death [5] . Malnutrition doesn’t just make TB worse — it’s a two-way street. TB can lead to weight loss, reduced appetite, and nutrient deficiencies, further weakening patients. The India TB Report 2024 highlights that 7.44 lakh TB patients were undernourished in 2022, highlighting the scale of this challenge [6] . Moreover, breaking this cycle is critical to achieving a healthier, TB-free India.

Why nutrition matters in TB care

Good nutrition is a powerful weapon against TB. A balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals strengthens the immune system, helping prevent TB infection and supporting recovery.
 A 2023 Lancet study in Jharkhand showed that nutritional support reduced the risk of death in lung TB patients, proving the impact of such interventions [7] .
 Studies in Tamil Nadu and Delhi found that nutritional supplementation led to faster sputum conversion, greater weight gain, and higher treatment completion and cure rates [8] .
 One national analysis modelled that improving nutrition at scale could significantly reduce TB incidence and mortality, while being highly cost-effective [9] .
Families can play a vital role by incorporating affordable, nutrient-rich foods like pulses, eggs, millets, and seasonal vegetables into daily meals.

Community and policy action

India’s battle against TB and malnutrition relies on collective action. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan empowers communities to support TB patients with nutrition and emotional care, driving progress together. [10] Policy interventions are also key. The ICMR recommends integrating TB patients into the Targeted Public Distribution System to provide extra rations during treatment [11] . Schools and workplaces can promote awareness about balanced diets and early TB detection, especially in high-risk areas like urban slums and tribal regions, where malnutrition and TB prevalence are high [12] . Unite for TB-free India The journey to a TB-free India is incomplete without tackling malnutrition. The WHO’s Global TB Report 2024 notes a 17.7% decline in TB incidence in India since 2015, a sign of progress driven by initiatives like the NTEP [13] . Yet, with 26.07 lakh cases reported in 2024, the battle is far from over [14] . By nourishing our bodies, supporting community efforts, and advocating for robust policies, we can break the TB-malnutrition cycle. Together, let’s turn the tide against TB. Let’s join hands – families, healthcare workers, communities, and governments – to fuel the fight with nutrition, and light the way to a TB-free India. A healthier tomorrow awaits, where every home is TB-free, and every life thrives. This is an educational initiative supported by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Private Limited (a Viatris company).

Community and Policy Action

Fight TB with Nutrition

• Eat energy-rich meals with proteins (pulses, eggs, dairy) daily
• Take all TB medicines regularly and complete the full course
• Add fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals
• Drink plenty of clean water and avoid processed/junk food
• Visit Nikshay Poshan Yojana for more details
• Track weight gain during treatment—it’s a sign of recovery [15]

References:

1. Central TB Division, Ni-kshay Portal Data: https://tbcindia.gov.in/
2. NFHS-5 (2019-2021), International Institute for Population Sciences: http://www.nfhsiips.in/
3. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506410
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39382499/
5. https://tbcindia.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/National-Guidance-on-Differential-TB-Care_Final_March-2025-3.pdf?utm_
6. https://tbcindia.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TB-Report_for-Web_08_10-2024-1.pdf
7. The Lancet, Nutritional Support in TB Patients (2023):
   https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(23)00365-0/fulltext
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10319769/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
9. https://tbcindia.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/National-Guidance-on-
   Differential-TB-Care_Final_March-2025-3.pdf?utm_
10. Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: https://tb-win.mohfw.gov.in/home
11. Indian Council of Medical Research, Undernutrition & Tuberculosis in India:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037944/
12. ICMR, National TB Prevalence Survey (2019-2021): https://tbcindia.gov.in/wpcontent/uploads/2023/05/25032022161020NATBPSReport.pdf
13. World Health Organization, Global Tuberculosis Report 2024:
    https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024
14. India TB Report 2024, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: https://tbcindia.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TB-Report_for-Web_08_10-2024-1.pdf
15. Weight Gain and Response to Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3820341/