Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Nutrition and Metabolism Disorders > Vitamins and Minerals > Pellagra
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by dietary lack of niacin and protein, especially proteins containing the essential amino acid tryptophan. Because tryptophan can be converted into niacin, foods with tryptophan but without niacin, such as milk, prevent pellagra. However, tryptophan is also a precursor for protein, so if there is a deficiency in niacin and protein, then tryptophan production will be diverted into protein, leading to a deficiency of niacin.
Some sources also claim a relationship between lysine and pellagra, but this position does not have nearly as much support.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pellagra include:
- high sensitivity to sunlight
- aggression
- dermatitis
- red skin lesions
- insomnia
- weakness
- mental confusion
- diarrhea
- dementia (eventually)
Dr. Joseph Goldberger and the War on Pellagra - Informative article on the history of this disorder.
Meta Description: [ DeWitt Stetten Jr., Museum of Medical Research, A museum dedicated to collecting 20th century medical research instruments and computers at the National Institutes of Health ]
Pellagra - A discussion on niacin and how its absorbed, deficiencies, diet recommendations, food sources and toxicity.
Meta Description: [ Pellagra, the classic niacin deficiency disease,is characterized by bilateral dermatitis in sun exposed areas,
glossitis, diarrhea, and dementia. ]
Pellagra - Find information on this disorder, its alternate names and symptoms.
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