Pott's disease is a form of tuberculosis called tuberculosis of the spine, or tuberculosis spondylitis. Tuberculosis normally affects the lungs, but affects areas outside the lungs in 20 percent of cases, says Dr. Denis Spelman of Monash University. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis most often affects the spine, according to "Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopedics." A good diet helps combat spinal tuberculosis, often a disease of poverty, but is not used as a treatment for the disorder, which responds to drug therapy to eliminate the infection. In some cases, surgery is done.
Malnutrition and Tuberculosis
Malnutrition, a lack of either calories, vitamins or minerals, commonly occurs in people with tuberculosis, says pulmonologist Dr. J. Daryl Thornton of Case Western Reserve University. Malnutrition both increases the chance of developing tuberculosis and increases susceptibility to complications, such as secondary infections. Correcting malnutrition with adequate nutrients and micronutrients helps prevent complications and reduces the mortality rate of tuberculosis, according to an Indian study published in the January 2009 issue of "Lung India." Correcting nutritional deficiencies does not take a special diet, Thornton says. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and protein make up a nutritional diet if you have tuberculosis of the spine or any other disease affected by malnutrition.
Protein Intake
To build new tissues that support bones damaged by tuberculosis, you need adequate amounts of protein, which contains amino acids, the building blocks that repair and replace tissues. In an animal study reported in the August 1996 "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America," correcting protein deficiency in mice with tuberculosis decreased the rapid death rate of mice from infection.
Vitamin Intake
People with tuberculosis might have lower-than-normal levels of vitamin D, according to a meta-analysis of studies conducted by the Department of Public Health and reported in the February 2008 "International Journal of Epidemiology." This study did not establish an effective dose of vitamin D supplementation to reduce the risk of tuberculosis. Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption. A Pakistani study published in the December 2006 issue of the "Professional Medical Journal" assessed calcium levels in 33 patients with tuberculosis, 20 of whom had spinal tuberculosis. Researchers found that all had low calcium levels, leading them to report that calcium supplements, as well as vitamin D supplements, would benefit those with tuberculosis.
Considerations
Although tuberculosis of the spine can cause spinal fractures and vertebral collapse, similar to spinal fractures seen in osteoporosis, they have different causes. Pott's disease, unlike osteoporosis, is not a disease of low bone density. Rather, bacteria infiltrate the bone and form abscesses that destroy the bone. Rebuilding bone in Pott's disease, like rebuilding bone in osteoporosis, does require good nutrition and adequate vitamin and mineral intake, including vitamin D and calcium supplements if levels are low. No specific nutritional diet for Pott's disease exists.
References
- "Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics"; "Tuberculosis Spondylitis"; Dr. Clifford Wheeless
- NetWellness; "Dietary Tips for Tuberculosis Patients"; Dr. J. Daryl Thornton et al.; February 2008
- "Lung India"; "Tuberculosis and Nutrition"; K. Gupta et al.; January 2009
- "International Journal of Epidemiology"; "Low Serum Vitamin D Levels and Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"; K. Noaham et al.; February 2008
- "PNAS"; "Effects of Protein Malnutrition on Tuberculosis in Mice"; John Chan et al.; August 1996
- UpToDate; "Tuberculosis Lymphadenitis"; Dr. Denis Spelman et al.
