Supplementation of Ginger with Anti- Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT): A better Approach to Treat Anemic Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

Abstract

Anemia is seen in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and is associated with deregulation of iron metabolism due to alteration in Acute Phase Proteins mainly C-Reactive Proteins (CRP). Since ginger helps in the regulation of iron metabolism by decreasing CRP. So the present study is designed to assess the effect of ginger supplementation in anemic pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The study was carried out in 68 subjects of newly diagnosed sputum positive anemic Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients, falling in DOTS (CAT I) and 35 were healthy control subjects between 20-58 yrs of age. Study group were divided into two groups – One group were given ATT with ginger supplement and the another group ATT only for 30 days. In both groups, serum samples were analyzed for Hemoglobin (Hb), C - reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin, Serum Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) on day zero (D-0) and 30 th days of ginger supplementation. The ginger supplementation to anemic TB Patients led to significant decrease in CRP, Ferritin and significant increase in serum iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity which resulted into correction of anemia.