India, March 27 -- Tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial disease, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects the lungs and spreads through the air, especially when an affected person sneezes, coughs or spits. However, the role of nutrition in tuberculosis treatment is very underrated.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Rishabh Raj, consultant chest medicine and critical care, K J Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre said, "Malnutrition is one of the important risk factors that leads to development of tuberculosis. A poor nutritional intake results in lower immunity which can make the patient prone to developing the disease and also slowing the recovery." Also read | Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Understanding symptoms, risks, treatme...