Millets National Media Portal
Millets National Media Portal
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that significantly depletes the body's nutritional reserves. According to a PMC-published systematic review, TB patients are frequently malnourished, and nutritional intervention has been shown to improve weight gain and quality of life during treatment. Millets — particularly those rich in Vitamin B-complex, iron, zinc, and selenium — are recommended as dietary support alongside standard TB medication.
How millets specifically support TB patients:
Vitamin B complex (millets like jowar, bajra, ragi, foxtail): B-vitamins support energy metabolism and combat TB-related fatigue; WHO guidelines specifically recommend Pyridoxine (B6) supplementation during high-dose isoniazid TB therapy, and millets naturally provide B6.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Present in sorghum and finger millet; research suggests riboflavin metabolites may activate MAIT (mucosal-associated invariant T) cells, offering early-stage protection against mycobacterial infections (PMC, 2021).
Iron and zinc (pearl millet): TB causes protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient depletion; pearl millet's iron (>11 mg/100 g) and zinc (>3 mg/100 g) replenish critical immune minerals lost during infection.
High protein content: Millets provide 7–13 g protein/100 g; TB treatment demands protein intake of 1.2–1.5 g/kg body weight/day for tissue repair — millets help meet this elevated requirement.
Antioxidants: Vitamin A (beta-carotene from pearl millet and sorghum) and Vitamin E have been found to be significantly depleted in TB patients compared to healthy controls (ScienceDirect, 2016); millet consumption contributes to replenishing these.
Energy provision: High complex carbohydrate content (70–75%) provides the extra 25–50% caloric requirement needed by active TB patients to reverse weight loss.
Digestive health: Prebiotic fiber in millets maintains gut microbiome integrity disrupted by long-term TB antibiotic use.
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