It would seem that optimal nutrition, essential for all biochemical processes to function properly, is an axiom. Naturally, it will then also be an accepted truth that appropriate nutrition will have to be consumed, in order for the body to recuperate and heal even as it is treated by medicines when under assault. Strangely though, nothing can be as far apart in practise, as this axiom and its corollary.
The nutritional and environmental factors that influence disease and wellness are now part of a solid study of the human body. While conventional medicine treats and advances cure by drugs and/or surgery, the doctor seldom forgets to mention an appropriate diet to be followed. The problem, however, occurs when there’s a piecemeal handling of the condition, with no insight into the patient’s culture or affordability (for food). Which is why studies validating the cruciality of nutrition in the recovery process of the human body are conducted from time to time.
Latest in this trend, is the RATIONS trial by Anurag Bhargava et al, which tries to address nutrition and tuberculosis within a syndemics framework. The researchers studied the effect of improving nutrition with a combination of a food basket and micronutrients on recovery of patients with TB, and preventing TB in close family members of those who are infected. Prof. Bhargava explains: “There is a backstory to this trial. We [my wife Madhavi and I] copied on this email) worked in a non-profit Jan Swasthya Sahyog that we co-founded in the rural Bilaspur district. We ran a TB treatment program where we realised that undernutrition was the blind spot in TB care and prevention. We finally published a study in 2013 on how low weights in Indian patients were a risk factor for TB mortality.” This was followed by a paper in 2014 where we showed that undernutrition was the leading risk factor for TB Incidence in India and addressing it could lead to substantial decline in TB incidence.
