0
Niacin, or vitamin B3 occurs in most grains, especially whole grains. Severe deficiency of niacin (which is usually associated with malnutrition, or starvation) causes the disease pellagra. The main symptoms of untreated pellagra are the "4 D's": Diahrrea, dermatitis (red sores or itching), dementia and death. In previous generations, niacin was sometimes called Vitamin PP (for Prevents Pellagra.) The body can create niacin from tryptophan, an amino acid that occurs in milk and meat. People who eat little protein have an increased need for niacin. Many people believe that a mild niacin deficiency slows the metabolism and decreases tolerance to cold. The daily requirement for niacin ranges from 12mg in children to 18 mg in pregnant and nursing women. Niacin defiencies tend to occur only in areas where people eat corn (or maize) instead of wheat, rye or other grains. That's because corn contains niacin in a form the body cannot use. When corn meal or flour is processed with lime, it releases the niacin. One way to prevent a niacin deficiency is to take a daily multi-vitamin and eat a balanced diet including whole grains and poultry, milk, meat, and eggs.
Pellagra is caused by chronic Niacin deficiency. It results in skin lesions, diarrhea, confusion, aggression, dementia, and eventually death. It was common in colonial America before nixtamalization of corn, to make the niacin available to absorb by the small intestine, was known to non-Natives to be necessary for corn to be a staple.
A disease that can be caused by a lack of niacin is called pellagra. Pellagra can be reversed though with a healthy diet and some niacin. Pellagra doesn't exist anymore because many foods are niacin rich.
It is rare for anyone in the developed world to have a niacin deficiency. In the United States, Alcoholism is the main cause of naicin deficiency. Intestinal problems, including chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel disease can all trigger niacin deficiency. Because part of your body's niacin supply comes from conversion of the amino acid tryptophan, deficiency of tryptophan can also increase risk of niacin deficiency. (Foods rich in tryptophan include crimini mushrooms, soybeans, tofu, sunflower seeds, spinach, and asparagus.) The conversion of tryptophan to niacin also requires the presence of thiamine and vitamin B6, and when thiamine or B6 are deficient, niacin can also become deficient. Niacin deficiency also appears to be related to vitamin B12 status, since even mild deficiencies in vitamin B12 can increase loss of niacin in the urine. Physical trauma, all types of stress, long-term fever, and excessive consumption of alcohol have also been associated with increased risk of niacin deficiency. Symptoms of mild deficiency include indigestion, fatigue, canker sores, vomiting, and depression. Severe deficiency can cause a condition known as pellagra. Pellagra is characterized by cracked, scaly skin, dementia, and diarrhea. It is generally treated with a nutritionally balanced diet and niacin supplements. Niacin deficiency also causes burning in the mouth and a swollen, bright red tongue.
Niacin deficiencies cause a wasting disease known as pellagra, which affects the skin, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract as well as the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How can niacin deficiency be treated?
Niacin deficiency can be treated effectively with replacement of niacin in the diet. In the case of Hartnup disease, large quantities of niacin may be required for effective reversal of symptoms.
How is pellagra diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on the patient's symptoms and information about their diet. When this information points to niacin deficiency, replacement is started. There are no chemical tests available.
Pellagra is caused due to deficiency of?
It is due to the deficiency of Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
What is pelllagra?
A niacin or vitamin b3 deficiency.
What is Vitamin B3 deficiency disease?
Pellagra is a Vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency disease. It is caused by severe and prolonged deficiency of Vitamin B3. Symptoms are bilateral dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. A prolonged and severe niacin deficiency may cause depression and neurasthenia (weakening of muscles).A deficiency in Vitamin B3 can cause depression, memory loss, canker sores and fatigue.
What does a niacin deficiency produce?
Niacin deficiency produces pellagra characterized by diarrhea, skin rashes, brain dysfunction, tongue, mouth and vaginal irritation, and trouble swallowing.
What is illness is caused due to the lack of vitamin b3?
"Symptoms of mild deficiency include indigestion, fatigue, canker sores, vomiting, and depression. Severe deficiency can cause a condition known as pellagra. Pellagra is characterized by cracked, scaly skin, dementia, and diarrhea. It is generally treated with a nutritionally balanced diet and niacin supplements. Niacin deficiency also results in burning in the mouth and a swollen, bright red tongue."
List of deficiency diseases and their symptoms?
Vitamin D deficiency: Symptoms include muscle weakness, bone pain, and increased risk of fractures. Iron deficiency anemia: Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. Vitamin B12 deficiency: Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, neurological changes like numbness or tingling, and difficulty concentrating. Iodine deficiency: Symptoms include goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), fatigue, weight gain, and cognitive impairments.
What are deficiency diseases Name three deficiency diseases and also write their causes and symptoms?
A deficiency disease is one caused by a lack of something we need. Some examples are:scurvy, caused by insufficient vitamin C. Symptoms include bleeding gums and failure to heal.rickets, caused by lack of calcium or vitamin D. Symptoms are weak, soft bones and stunted growth.Pellagra, caused by lack of vitamin B3, niacin. Symptoms include inflamed skin, diarrhea, dementia, and sores in the mouth.
What disease did Joseph Goldberger show to be caused by a deficiency of niacin in 1915?
Pellagra
What is betaine deficiency?
What are some symptoms of deficiency of betaine
What is is niacin?
In a terse manner, Niacin (B3) is used in the human body to form coenzymes NAD and NADP - two very important components that are involved in energy production. Pellagra is the main deficiency of Niacin.
