What are the symptoms of niacin deficiency?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

The lack of niacin (vitamin B3) causes pelagra.

Answer 6

pellagra

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

Pellagra

Answer 9

Pellagra.