By Darrell Miller

Tuberculosis is a very old and extremely contagious disease that is caused by the bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease primarily affects the lungs, although it can affect any body organ. Among these body organs include the bones, kidneys, intestines, spleen, and liver. Tuberculosis is one of the most lethal among infectious diseases, as it kills about 1.6 million people a year worldwide. This includes more than 1 million in Asia, 400,000 in Africa, and 100,000 in the Americas and Europe. Tuberculosis is especially devastating in places like Asia and Africa, as widespread cases of HIV and AIDS has compromised the immune systems of so many people, allowing the tuberculosis bacteria to take over the body with little or no resistance. It is estimated that there will be 200 million new cases of this disease and 70 million people worldwide will die from it by the year 2020.

Tuberculosis is typically spread by infected airborne droplets that are coughed up by individuals who have the active disease and then inhaled by susceptible persons. Once the droplets are inhaled, they lodge in the lungs where they may be successfully battled by the body. However, if the body is not functioning optimally, or if the bacteria reach the lungs, the bacteria will multiply and proceed to liquefy and destroy long tissue. Those housing places which are overcrowded and poorly ventilated are fertile breeding grounds for the spread of tuberculosis. Additionally, smoking contributes to half the deaths from tuberculosis, as it weakens the immune system. Tuberculosis can also be contracted from contaminated food or milk that has not been pasteurized. In these cases, the primary focus of the infection is typically in the digestive tract. This type of tuberculosis is most common in developing countries, and extremely rare in the Western world.

Tuberculosis symptoms may be slow in developing and initially resemble those of influenza with a general malaise, coughing, loss of appetite, night sweats, chest pain, and low-grade fever. The cough may be nonproductive at first, but as the disease progressed, increasing amounts of sputum are produced. As the condition worsens, fever, night sweats, chronic fatigue, weight loss, chest pain, and shortness of breath may occur, and the sputum may become bloody. In advanced cases, tuberculosis of the larynx can occur, making it impossible to speak above a whisper.

Thanks to the development of antibiotic regimens, rates of tuberculosis have declined. For the United States, the incidence has declined from 53 per 100,000 population to 5.1 per 100,000 from 1995 to 2003. However, due to the global epidemic of tuberculosis and the migration of people from one country to another, it is probable that the United States will see an upsurge of this disease in the coming decades unless aggressive action is taken to get rid of tuberculosis everywhere in the world. The best defense against tuberculosis is a strong immune system and a healthy diet.

The following nutrients are also important in battling and preventing tuberculosis: coenzyme Q10, colloidal silver, a free-form amino acid complex, garlic, grape seed extract, l-cysteine, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin D3, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, glutathione, kelp, l-serine, a multi-enzyme complex, a multi-mineral complex, a multivitamin complex, zinc, butchers broom, calendula, cayenne, chamomile, peppermint, yarrow, elecampane, goldenseal root, horehound, licorice, lobelia, marshmallow root, mullein, myrrh gum, thyme, and pau darco.

Look to your local or internet vitamin store for vitamins and herbs to help strengthen the body. Always choose name brands like Solaray to ensure quality of what you buy for better health and wellness.

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