Nutritional supplements could help to lower the risk of tuberculosis (TB) recurrences, according to a new study.
Research carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that micronutrients could boost the immune system and aid TB recovery.
Some 887 patients receiving TB therapy in Tanzania took part in the study. Some were given vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and selenium and some were given a placebo.
The study found that 45 per cent of the group receiving nutritional supplements in the form of micronutrients had lower rates of TB occurrence after the culture was negative.
"We found that providing micronutrients to patients with tuberculosis who were undergoing anti-TB treatment appeared to decrease the risk of recurrences," lead researcher Eduardo Villamor said.
Of the participants, 471 were HIV positive and 416 were HIV negative. The micronutrients were found to have a greater effect in patients infected with HIV.
According to the Health Protection Agency, each year around nine million cases of TB are diagnosed and two million people die from the disease.
