A serious lung infection caused by unusual bacteria called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can make people very sick. Doctors have noticed that patients who eat well and get proper nutrition tend to do better than those who don’t. However, there isn’t yet a clear, proven plan for exactly what nutrition these patients need. This review looked at all the research about how nutrition affects people with this infection and how malnutrition weakens the body’s ability to fight back. The researchers found that while nutrition support probably helps, we need more studies to know exactly what works best.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How eating well and getting proper nutrition affects people who have a serious lung infection caused by unusual bacteria, and whether special nutrition plans can help them recover better
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research, not a new study with patients. The researchers looked at many different studies about nutrition and this lung infection
  • Key finding: Patients with this lung infection who are malnourished (not eating enough or not getting the right nutrients) have worse health outcomes, and their bodies can’t fight the infection as well. Nutrition support appears to help, but we don’t have enough strong evidence yet to know exactly what nutrition plan works best
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know has this lung infection, paying attention to eating well and getting proper nutrition is probably important for recovery. Talk to your doctor about whether you should see a nutrition specialist to make sure you’re eating the right foods and getting enough calories and nutrients

The Research Details

This was a narrative review, which means researchers read through many existing studies and articles about nutrition and this specific lung infection, then summarized what they learned. They looked at how malnutrition affects the immune system (the body’s defense against infection), how common malnutrition is in patients with this disease, and what nutrition treatments might help. The researchers also looked at nutrition approaches used for similar infections to see if those ideas might work here too.

The authors examined the connection between what people eat and how well their bodies can fight off this bacterial infection. They looked at studies showing that when people don’t eat enough or don’t get the right nutrients, their immune system gets weaker and can’t protect them as well. They also reviewed what doctors currently know about treating this infection with nutrition support.

This type of review is important because it brings together everything we know about a topic from many different studies. Since there aren’t yet specific, proven nutrition plans for this lung infection, this review helps doctors understand why nutrition matters and what they should consider when helping patients. It also shows where we need more research to find better answers

This is a narrative review, which means it’s based on the authors’ reading and interpretation of existing research rather than a new study with patients. This type of review is helpful for understanding a topic but doesn’t provide the strongest level of proof. The real strength of this research will come from future studies that test specific nutrition plans with patients who have this infection. The review is published in a respected medical journal, which means it was checked by other experts before publication

What the Results Show

The researchers found that malnutrition (not eating enough or not getting proper nutrients) is common in people with this lung infection and makes their condition worse. When the body doesn’t get enough food and nutrients, the immune system—which fights infections—becomes weaker and can’t protect against the bacteria as well.

The review shows that the immune system needs certain nutrients to work properly. When people are malnourished, their bodies can’t make enough immune cells and proteins to fight the infection effectively. This means the infection can get worse and treatment may not work as well.

The researchers also found that nutrition support (helping patients eat better and get the right nutrients) probably helps improve outcomes, but there isn’t enough strong evidence yet to say exactly what nutrition plan works best for this specific infection. Different patients may need different nutrition approaches based on their individual situation.

The review found that certain nutrients are especially important for fighting this type of infection, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Patients with this lung infection often have trouble eating enough because of their symptoms, which makes the malnutrition problem worse. The researchers noted that checking patients’ nutrition status and helping them eat better should be part of their overall treatment plan, even though we don’t yet have a perfect nutrition recipe for this disease

This finding fits with what doctors already know about other serious infections and malnutrition. For tuberculosis (a similar but different lung infection), good nutrition has been shown to help patients recover better. The researchers suggest that similar nutrition support might help people with this mycobacterial infection, but this specific disease hasn’t been studied as much as tuberculosis

This review has some important limitations. It’s based on reading existing studies rather than testing a new nutrition plan with patients, so it can’t prove that a specific nutrition approach definitely works. There aren’t many high-quality studies specifically about nutrition and this lung infection, so the researchers had to look at related infections and general nutrition science. The review was published in December 2025, so it’s very recent and based on the knowledge available at that time. More research is needed to find the best nutrition approaches for this specific disease

The Bottom Line

If you have this lung infection, work with your doctor to make sure you’re eating enough calories and getting proper nutrition (moderate to high confidence). Ask about seeing a nutrition specialist or dietitian who can help you create a personalized eating plan (moderate confidence). Make sure you’re getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals, as these are important for your immune system (moderate confidence). Don’t wait until you’re very malnourished—start paying attention to nutrition early in your treatment (moderate confidence)

People diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection should definitely pay attention to this. Doctors and healthcare providers treating this infection should consider nutrition as part of the treatment plan. People at risk for malnutrition (those who have trouble eating, limited income, or other health problems) should be especially careful. This may be less relevant for people without this specific infection, though good nutrition is always important for everyone’s health

You probably won’t see major improvements overnight. Good nutrition works best as part of long-term treatment. You might notice small improvements in energy and how you feel within a few weeks of eating better. More significant improvements in fighting the infection and recovering may take months, depending on how serious your infection is and how well the antibiotics are working

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily calorie intake and protein consumption (aim for a target set by your doctor or dietitian). Log meals and snacks to make sure you’re eating enough throughout the day, especially if the infection makes eating difficult
  • Set reminders for meal times and snacks to ensure consistent eating. If eating is hard due to symptoms, try smaller, more frequent meals. Use the app to plan meals ahead of time and track which foods you tolerate well versus those that cause problems
  • Weekly check-ins on whether you’re meeting your nutrition goals. Monthly tracking of weight and energy levels to see if nutrition improvements are helping. Share nutrition logs with your healthcare provider at appointments to adjust the plan if needed

This review summarizes research about nutrition and a serious lung infection, but it is not medical advice. If you have been diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease or suspect you might have this infection, you must work with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not change your diet or nutrition without talking to your healthcare provider first. Nutrition support should be part of your overall treatment plan, not a replacement for antibiotics and other medical care prescribed by your doctor. Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your eating habits or treatment plan.