Niacin deficiency can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pain or inflammation in the mouth, and if it progresses, it can cause pellagra. Pellagra’s main symptoms are diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, and death. Niacin is an essential nutrient that can only be obtained through the diet and is widespread in developing countries. The main symptoms of niacin deficiency are diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis. Pellagra can cause death within five years if left untreated. Foods rich in niacin include dairy products, meats, whole grains, beans, nuts, mushrooms, and vegetables. Too much niacin can be toxic, and the recommended daily amount varies by age and gender.
Niacin deficiency is characterized by lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pain or inflammation in the mouth in the early stages. If it progresses, the deficiency can cause a condition known as pellagra. The main symptoms of pellagra are sometimes called the “four Ds”: diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, and death. It is important to have a healthy diet with adequate amounts of niacin to avoid developing a deficiency.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or vitamin P, is an essential nutrient. In other words, the body needs niacin for its normal metabolic function, but it doesn’t produce anything on its own. Niacin, like the other essential nutrients, can only be obtained through the diet.
If one has a healthy and balanced diet, niacin deficiency is not a concern. However, it is widespread in developing countries, including Mexico, Indonesia, parts of China, and some African countries. In developed countries, alcoholics and the very poor are more susceptible to niacin deficiency. A diet low in tryptophan or leucine, two amino acids, can also cause a deficiency.
The main symptoms of niacin deficiency are diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and prevent patients from absorbing other nutrients. Dementia can take the form of irritability, poor memory, or fatigue, or it can cause hallucinations and aggression. Dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by dry, dark, scaly patches, especially on areas of the skin exposed to sunlight. Other possible symptoms of pellagra include insomnia, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, swelling or edema, and ataxia, or lack of control over muscle movement.
If left untreated, pellagra will cause death within five years. Niacin deficiency is treated with oral niacin or nicotinamide, a related chemical. Also, a person suffering from this deficiency should try adding more niacin to the diet. Foods rich in niacin include dairy products, meats or other protein-rich foods, whole grains, beans, nuts, mushrooms, and a variety of vegetables.
It is important to have adequate niacin in the diet, but most people with relatively balanced diets do not need to supplement niacin. In fact, too much can be toxic. Just over 35mg. One day it can be dangerous for adults. The recommended daily amount of niacin is 16 mg. for men, 14 mg. for women, 2-12mg. for children, and 18 mg. for pregnant women
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