Saturday, March 24, 2007 11:34 AM
Ever heard of the term Pellagra? Actually pellagra is a disease caused by a severe dietary deficiency of, Niacin (vitamin B3) and the proteins containing amino acid, Tryptophan.
The long-term effects of poor diet are catastrophic. The slow, wasting effect on the body from the onset of pellagra creates a slumbering, lethargic appearance and personality.
Pellagra is known as the sickness of the four “D’s” :
Pellagra is known as the sickness of the four “D’s” :
- Diarrhea
- Dermatitis
- Dementia
- Death
Which are the main symptoms of pellagra. However there are other symptoms of Pellagra which include:
- high sensitivity to sunlight
- aggression
- red skin lesions
- insomnia
- weakness
- mental confusion
The first sign of pellagra is a reddening of the skin on hands, arms, feet, and face. Many people who has pellagra might think that they are having sunburn or poison oak. However symptoms become unmistakable when reddened skin crusted over and peeled away leaving tell-tale butterfly-like lesions on the face. Following up with it is serious digestive disturbances and a general feeling of malaise. In serious cases, the sufferer might end up becoming INSANE!
Pellagra is usually common in certain parts of the world, especially in people consuming large quantities of corn like Africa and Mexico. This is because corn is poor in niacin and tryptophan. Niacin in corn is tightly bound to protein, and thus poorly absorbed. (corn is a staple for the people living in these areas) However, corn can be treated with an alkaline solution of lime, which releases the niacin and helps prevent pellagra. Also, pellagra seldom occurs among people in Latin America, since they eat tortillas, in which the preperation greatly increases the bioavailability of niacin in corn.
The Key to preventing the disease is adequate niacin in the diet. Nevertheless poor people are not able to raise or purchase those items of diet which would maintain them in health. Moreover, few families could afford to consistently eat niacin-rich fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, milk, and eggs.
Now we know that corn/maize is the cause of Pellagra. But...what is ironically is that pellagra is prevented by treatment of maize-flour with lime (also known as "alkali cooking"), which increases the availability of the niacin. weird isn't it?!? It has now been proven that the lime treatment makes niacin nutritionally available and reduces the chance of developing pellagra.
acknowledgments
www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/pellagra.jsp
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001945.htm
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellagra
www.phoenity.com
www.mark.asci.ncsu.edu
Pellagra is usually common in certain parts of the world, especially in people consuming large quantities of corn like Africa and Mexico. This is because corn is poor in niacin and tryptophan. Niacin in corn is tightly bound to protein, and thus poorly absorbed. (corn is a staple for the people living in these areas) However, corn can be treated with an alkaline solution of lime, which releases the niacin and helps prevent pellagra. Also, pellagra seldom occurs among people in Latin America, since they eat tortillas, in which the preperation greatly increases the bioavailability of niacin in corn.
The Key to preventing the disease is adequate niacin in the diet. Nevertheless poor people are not able to raise or purchase those items of diet which would maintain them in health. Moreover, few families could afford to consistently eat niacin-rich fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, milk, and eggs.
Now we know that corn/maize is the cause of Pellagra. But...what is ironically is that pellagra is prevented by treatment of maize-flour with lime (also known as "alkali cooking"), which increases the availability of the niacin. weird isn't it?!? It has now been proven that the lime treatment makes niacin nutritionally available and reduces the chance of developing pellagra.
acknowledgments
www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/pellagra.jsp
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001945.htm
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellagra
www.phoenity.com
www.mark.asci.ncsu.edu