Deficiency diseases: is pellagra making a comeback?
What is pellagra? Pellagra is a deficiency disease caused by lack of vitamin B3 (niacin) and tryptophan in the diet. Tryptophan is an amino acid that converts to niacin in the body. Pellagra is diagnosed by a classic triad of symptoms – the three Ds: diarrhoea, light-sensitive dermatitis and dementia. Psychotic delusions can also occur. Untreated, pellagra leads to the final D: death. What causes it? And who suffers? Pellagra is reported in countries where people are chronically malnourished, or over-dependent on foods poor in niacin and tryptophan, such as corn. Pellagra is less common in...
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