ABSTRACT
Macro and micronutrient deficiencies are a significant problem among people in rural areas in developing countries. Deficiencies may lead to an impaired immune system making the organism vulnerable to infections and diseases. Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease, endemic in 21 countries in America, and 39 million people in America are at risk for acquiring the disease. Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are likely to interfere with several important functions of the immune system resulting in an impaired capability to overcome the leishmaniasis infection; nutritional status of the host is a key factor for the outcome of infection. Supplementation of macro and micronutrients under traditional medicine prescription may be a better strategy to heal immune-compromised aliments like Leishmania. Role of different elements in leishmaniasis is described in Table 7-1.
