What is Pellagra - Health Conditions

What is Pellagra?

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What is pellagra?

Pellagra is a curable nutritional deficiency disease which develops through a severe deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin).

Pellagra can be of two types:

Primary - this is when the body has a severely low (or no) intake of vitamin B3 (niacin) over a long period due to a low intake in the diet
Secondary - this is when the intake of vitamin B3 (niacin) in the diet is not absorbed due to a variety of factors including many disease, drugs and other conditions

Facts about pellagra

Pellagra is basically a preventable disease
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is the vitamin that prevents this disease
The amino acid tryptophan is also required to prevent pellagra as it synthesises vitamin B3 (niacin) for the body to be able to use it properly
People who are chronic alcoholics very often develop pellagra
People with anorexia nervosa can develop pellagra
Pellagra is still very common in countries where corn (or maize) is the staple food and this means people there do not get enough vitamin B3 (niacin) through this type of diet

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Last reviewed: 18 February 2009 || Last updated: 24 February 2010

Tryptophan (amino acids)
Vitamin B3 (vitamins)
Vitamin B6 (vitamins)

NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.

Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

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