Nutrition can be used as a tool to control inflammation and address conditions such as tuberculosis (TB) and iron deficiency. In her recent inaugural lecture, North-West University (NWU) Prof Linda Malan drew on findings from years of research to highlight how omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and iron can influence immune function and offer new pathways for treating disease and improving public health.
“We all know the importance of an inflammatory immune response to infection,” said Prof Malan from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Potchefstroom Campus. “But resolving inflammation is just as important. If inflammation is not adequately resolved, it can lead to chronic conditions and impaired immune function.”
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as sardines and salmon, are central to this process, she said during her lecture on 17 September. These fatty acids are built into immune cell membranes and serve as a reservoir for specialised pro-resolving lipid mediators, which help the body switch off inflammation once it is no longer needed.
How nutrients can help combat TB
Prof Malan turned to the role omega-3 supplementation can play in tackling diseases such as TB.
TB remains one of South Africa’s major public health challenges, with about 280 000 cases and over 50 000 deaths recorded in 2022. Prof Malan’s team has been exploring “host-directed therapy”, where nutrients such as omega-3 are used alongside standard TB treatment to enhance the body’s immune response and reduce inflammation-induced lung damage.
“Our preclinical studies showed that omega-3 supplementation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhanced anti-inflammatory mediators, improved anaemia of infection, and lowered bacterial loads,” she explained. “Compared to ibuprofen, omega-3 performed better over the long term without the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding or cardiovascular complications.”
The first human clinical trial, currently underway at Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp, will test whether adding omega-3 to standard TB therapy can improve treatment outcomes and patient well-being.
Vitamin C and iron deficiency
Prof Malan’s second research focus is on women of reproductive age, pregnancy and early childhood, key life stages where iron deficiency and inflammation are common.
Her team found that high-dose iron supplements in pregnancy did not always improve outcomes and, in some cases, increased the risk of respiratory illness in mothers and infants. Stable isotope studies revealed that while omega-3 supplementation did not significantly improve iron absorption, vitamin C increased absorption almost threefold.
“Our work shows that nutrition interventions must be carefully targeted,” she said. “It’s not just about giving more nutrients, but about understanding how inflammation, infection and nutrient metabolism interact.”
For Prof Malan, the goal is to turn molecular discoveries into real-world solutions. “By exploring these interactions from molecules to society, we aim to translate science into strategies that improve clinical outcomes and public health.”
Prof Linda Malan
