Pellagra Causes Courses

Pellagra is a systemic disease caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin B⁠3, also known as niacin. It is associated with poverty, malnourishment, and inadequate diets. It is endemic in many parts of the world where grains are the main source of nutrition, such as parts of Africa, China, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. Symptoms of pellagra include weakness, diarrhea, dermatitis, and, in severe cases, mental confusion and even psychosis. The cause of pellagra is a deficiency of niacin, which can be traced to either a shortage of the vitamin, or an inability of the body to absorb it properly. In the case of dietary deficiency, pellagra can be prevented by consuming sufficient quantities of niacin-rich foods such as legumes, organ meats, poultry, and fish. The modern treatment of pellagra involves providing the body with either supplemental niacin or its precursors, such as tryptophan.