Antibody, Immunoglobulin A: definition

What Is Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis?

[dropcap]T uberculosis (TB), is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is characterized by chronic bacterial infection most commonly affecting lungs that develops in stages.

Increased susceptibility to tuberculosis menas the person’s defense mechanisms against developing infection are inadequate. Tuberculosis may be dormant or active.

Q: What happens in active tuberculosis?

A: Active tuberculosis  produces inflammation and formation of tubercles, necrosis (death of tissues), abcess, fibrosis, and calcification. Calcification is the body’s action to encapsulate the bacterial invasion. Active tuberculosis is life-threatening and may result in death.

About one third of the world’s population is infected with tuberculosis bacteria. In 2012 the number reached a staggering 8.6 million people. Of these, 1.3 million people died from tuberulosis.  About 95% of tuberulosis deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and it is among the top three causes of death among women aged 15 to 44.¹

People with weakened immune systems have a much greater risk of falling ill from tuberculosis. For example, a person living with HIV is about 20 to 30 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis.² The combination of tuberculosis, HIV coinfection, and malnutrition has been commonly termed as “triple trouble.”³

What Is Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

• Relationship between tuberculosis infection and celiac disease: Increased susceptibility to tuberculosis is a pulmonary complication in celiac disease subsequent to malnutrition caused by gluten enteropathy.
• Relationship between tuberculosis infection and severity of disease: Tuberculosis increases metabolic demands and this is increased further by the inability to properly absorb nutrients by a damaged gut. Deficient or marginal status of vitamins (e.g., vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E) and trace elements may increase the risk of M. tuberculosis infection progressing to overt tuberculosis and affect the outcome of antituberculosis chemotherapy or delay recovery.³

How Prevalent is Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

There is an increased prevalence of past tuberculosis reported in 17% of adult celiac disease population who underwent testing.⁴

What Are The Symptoms Of Tuberculosis?

Inactive (latent) tuberculosis is asymptomatic and cannot be passed on to others in sputum.

Active tuberculosis is marked by the following symptoms:

• Chronic cough.
• Sputum production.
• Fever.
• Sweats.
• Fatigue that can be extreme
• Weight loss that can be dramatic.

How Does Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis Develop In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

• Increased susceptibility to tuberculosis is thought to result from depressed cell mediated immunity and/or malnutrition in celiac disease involving deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids and iron.⁵
• Other deficiencies include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and the B vitamins.

Does Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis Respond To Gluten-Free Diet?

Yes. Gluten free diet that is balanced with a sufficient supply of protein, carbohydrate, fats, and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids) is important to support immune defense against infection with tuberculosis.

However, because the usual diet is often not sufficient to meet the increased demands for micronutrients in tuberculosis, dietary multi-nutrient supplements containing selenium up to 200 μg/d have potential as safe, inexpensive, and widely available adjuvant therapy to support the medications and/or to improve fitness and quality of life of the patients.³

6 Steps To Decrease Risk For Tuberculosis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity:

• [dropcap]1 Remove the Trigger. Maintain a Strict, Nutritious Gluten Free Diet:

[box type=”shadow” ]Treatment. This condition responds to the complete elimination of gluten, which is the required treatment that improves both tuberculosis risk and gut health.

• Gut health is the foundation to restore ALL health. Restored health will enable you to maintain a strict gluten free diet, just as other life tasks will be easier.
• A strict gluten free diet means removing 100% of wheat, barley, rye and oats from the diet.
• Cutting out bread and other obvious sources of gluten is not good enough for recovery. Even 1/8th teaspoon of flour or bread crumb is enough to sustain the inflammation that is damaging your small intestine, causing increased permeability (leaky gut) and allowing undigested gluten to enter your body where it can damage structures and function, and instigate immune inflammatory responses.

Correct Your Individual Nutritional Needs.

• Eat foods that can replenish missing nutrients. Find them under NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.
• Take nutritional supplements as needed. Find them under NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.

Recovery. You should begin to feel better within a week and notice more energy as inflammation subsides and the  absorbing cells that make up the surface lining of your small intestine are better able to function.

• Intestinal lining cells are replaced every 5 days. The healing process is like sunburn where the damaged surface layer of skin sloughs off and is replaced with new normal cells.
• Leaky gut normally resolves in two month after starting a gluten free diet and brings about a big improvement in health. Improvement in intestinal permeability precedes morphometric recovery (cell appearance and structure) of the small intestine in celiac disease.⁶
• The intestinal lining may take up to a year to heal.[/box]

• [dropcap]2  Reduce Inflammation. Foods to Eat and Foods Not to Eat:

Because gluten is inflammatory, eliminate OTHER inflammatory foods from your diet to reduce an additive effect to gluten. At the same time, try to eat foods that reduce inflammation (anti-inflammatory).

[box type=”shadow” ]Here Are Major Inflammatory Food Types That Reduce Healing:

• Damaging Foods. In susceptible persons, includes corn, dairy (cow), and soy. Lactose, the sugar in any animal milk disrupts intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.⁷
• Allergenic Foods. Includes foods that trigger the immune sytem to produce IgE antibodies. Allergy testing is the usual way to discover these offending foods.
• Shelf Stable Processed Foods. Includes any that contain additives and preservatives. Look for them on the nutrition label of the box or package. Additives and preservatives also disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.⁷
• Fats. Limit deep fried foods, trans-fats, saturated fats (animal fat/butter), and EXCESSIVE omega-6 fatty acid oils like corn oil. Rancid fats, sodium caprate (a medium chain fat), and sucrose monester fatty acid (a food grade surfactant) induce significant disruption of the intestinal barrier that causes leaky gut.⁷.
• Excessive Refined White Flours (bran layer removed). Includes products made from them such as cookies, bread, cakes, pies. Bran contains the vitamins and minerals that metabolize grains and slows the otherwise rapid entry of sugar from their digestion into the bloodstream. Also disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.⁷
• Refined Sugars.  Includes white sugar, corn fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
• Certain Spices. Includes paprika and cayenne pepper which disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.⁷
• Alcohol and Caffeine. Disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.⁷[/box]

[box type=”shadow” ]Here Are Important Anti-Inflammatory Food Types to Promote Health:

• Fruits. Contain ample amounts of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which are naturally occuring components in plants that detoxify toxins, carcinogens (reducing the risk by 50%) and mutagens.
• Non-Starchy Vegetables. Support intestinal integrity and provide ample amounts of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Includes lettuce, kale, onion, broccoli, garlic, and others.
• High Quality Complex Carbohydrates. Provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber while boosting serotonin levels to help you relax and feel calm. Includes whole grains, legumes, and root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips, red beets, and others.
• Antioxidants. Protect the body from inflammatory oxidant molecules that continually occur and help us handle stress and reduce irritability. Includes vitamin C-containing foods such as lemon, grapefruit, apricot, Brussels sprouts and strawberries, and others. Also, includes vitamin E-containing foods such as nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, and others. Cocoa is good, too.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Balance opposing omega-6 fatty acids and bad fats. Fish sources includes tuna, salmon, cod, and others. Plants sources include flax, chia seeds, canola oil, and others.
• Probiotics. Supply normal microbes needed for colon health and health of the body such as these fermented foods: yogurt, kefir, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.
• Prebiotics/ High Fiber Foods.  Food with fiber keeps our population of colonic microbes healthy.
• Protective Herbs and Spices.  See below #6 below for examples.[/box]

• [dropcap]3  Information Sheet You Can Take to Your Doctor or Other Health Professional:

Click here.

• [dropcap]4  Manage Your Medications Safely:

[box type=”shadow” ]

Certain medications deplete iron and omega-3 fatty acids that increase susceptibility to tuberculosis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this possible adverse effect if you are taking these drugs. Do not stop prescribed medications without supervision.

This is not a complete listing.

ANTACIDS / ULCER MEDICATIONS

• Pepcid®, Tagamet®, Zantac® deplete Iron.
• Magnesium and Aluminum Antacid preparations (Gaviscon®, Maalox®, Mylanta®) deplete Iron.

ANTIBIOTICS disrupt intestinal permeability which complicates celiac disease.

•  Tetracyclines deplete Iron.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES disrupt intestinal permeability which complicates celiac disease.

• Aspirin and Salicylates deplete Iron.

CHOLESTEROL DRUGS

• Colestid® and Questran® deplete Iron.[/box]

• [dropcap]5 Nutritional Supplements To Help Correct Deficiencies:

[box type=”shadow” ]

The type and quantity of nutritional supplements that may be needed depend on which nutrients are deficient.

• Multivitamin/mineral combination once a day is useful to improve overall nutrient levels. This is a safe dose, but always check with your doctor to avoid interactions with medications. Should contain 200 μg selenium.
• Fish oil supplements to obtain omega-3 fatty acids.
• Ferrous fumarate or gluconate as prescribed following blood test for iron status. Do not take at same time as calcium because they compete for absorption.
• Selenium 200 μg/day either alone or as part of a multivitamin/mineral combination (see above).

Storage Note: Store container tightly sealed, away from heat, moisture and direct light to avoid loss of potency. That is, in a safe kitchen cabinet – not in the bathroom or on the kitchen table.[/box]

• [dropcap]6 Manage Natural Remedies: 

[box type=”shadow” ]Hydration:

• Eight glasses of water are recommended per day unless there is a contraindication such as kidney or heart disease. The Institute of Medicine recommends approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water, from all beverages and foods, each day for women and 3.7 liters (125 ounces) daily of total water for men.
• If you are thirsty, drink water. Add fresh, squeezed lemon to water. Lemon is anti-inflammatory, alkalizing and provides vitamin C.
• Hydration Test: Urine should be pale yellow. Fingertips should be plump, without pruning but this may not be reliable when fingers are swollen with edema. Lips should be plump, without puckering. The feeling of thirst can be unreliable.
• What is wrong with soda, coffee, tea, and alcohol? These drinks are dehydrating, increase acid, and deplete nutrients.[/box]

[box type=”shadow” ]Carminatives. The following  anti-inflammatory plant sources called carminitives help heal the digestive tract. They also tone the digestive muscles which improves peristalsis, thus aiding in the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestine to relieve digestive colic and gastric discomfort.

Carminative Food Remedies:

• Raspberry.
• Carrot is also a cleansing digestive tonic.
• Grape is also bile stimulating and a cleansing remedy for sluggish digestion and laxative.
• Redbeets also stimulate and improve digestion and are easily digested.
• Cabbage also stimulates and improves digestion and is also a liver decongestant.
• Lettuce also stimulates and improves digestion and is also an alterative, meaning it improves the function of organs involved with the digestion and excretion of waste products to bring about a gradual change.
• Potatoes are antispasmodic (due to atropine like properties) and a liver remedy.

Carminative Herb Remedies:

• Sage is also a digestive, astringent, bile stimulant and energy tonic that heals the mucosa.  Drink as tea or use in cooking.
• Chamomile, lemon balm, and fennel, (as a tea) also help relieve nervous tension.
• Parsley also relieves indigestion.
• Rosemary as a tea and in cooking also is a nervous system tonic for stress and fatigue, bile stimulant, and can relieve headaches and indigestion.
• Thyme is also soothing remedy useful for stimulating digestion of rich, fatty foods.

Carminative Spice Remedies:

• Cloves are also antispasmodic.
• Nutmeg is also useful for indigestion.
• Ginger.[/box]

[box type=”shadow” ]Exercise Helps:

Exercise improves circulation and rids the body of toxins.

• Walking is aerobic exercise that reconditions the whole body to improve stamina. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.
• Weight training builds muscle. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.
• Stretching improves flexibilty. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.

Note: Exercise is important, but the amount and type of exercise undertaken depends on your health. Your first priority is to heal. [/box]

What Do Medical Research Studies Tell About Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

“Susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients with coeliac disease.” This study evaluating celiac disease patients for a history of tuberculosis demonstrated radiological (x-ray) evidence of past tuberculosis in 17% compared to 5% in controls. It is postulated that the increased prevalence of past tuberculosis in adult celiac disease patients is the result of depressed cell mediated immunity and/or malnutrition.⁵

Sources:

1. http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/tb_facts/en/index.html [↩]
2. http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/tuberculosis/en/ [↩]
3. Steinbrenner H, Al-Quraishy S, Dkhil MA, Wunderlich F, Sies H. Dietary selenium in adjuvant therapy of viral and bacterial infections. Adv Nutr. 2015 Jan 15;6(1):73-82. doi: 10.3945/an.114.007575. Print 2015 Jan. [↩] [↩] [↩]
4. Williams AJ, Asquith P, Stableforth DE. Susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients with coeliac disease. Tubercle. Dec 1998;69(4):267-74. [↩]
5. Williams AJ, Asquith P, Stableforth DE. Susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients with coeliac disease. Tubercle. Dec 1998;69(4):267-74. [↩] [↩]
6. Cummins AG, Thompson FM, Butler RN, et al. Improvement in intestinal permeability precedes morphometric recovery of the small intestine in coeliac disease. Clinical Science. Apr 2001;100(4):379-86. [↩]
7. Farhadi A, Banan A, Fields J, Keshavarzian A. Intestinal barrier: an interface between health and disease. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2003;18:479-91. [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]