Tag: Symptoms of pellagra

Historically, severe niacin deficiency resulted in widespread pellagra epidemics in populations reliant on corn as a dietary staple. This condition is caused by a lack of the water soluble vitamin B3, also known as niacin, and its precursor tryptophan. If left untreated, pellagra can lead to a characteristic set of symptoms, including dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

An estimated 30% of the world's population is affected by one or more micronutrient deficiencies, and severe cases can lead to conditions like pellagra. This condition is famously defined by a trio of symptoms known as the three D's of vitamin deficiency: dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.