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Niacin deficiency is a consequence of a diet low in both niacin and the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor for the vitamin. Low plasma tryptophan is a non-specific indicator, meaning it can have other causes. The signs and symptoms of niacin deficiency start to revert within days of oral supplementation with large amounts of the vitamin. [23] [24]
Example of a label showing the amount of niacin (Vitamin B3), and specifying to be niacinamide in the ingredient section.. The United States Government adopted the terms niacin and niacinamide in 1942 as alternate names for nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, respectively, and encouraged their use in nontechnical contexts to avoid the public’s confusing them with the nearly unrelated (and toxic ...
Independently of clinical symptoms, blood level of tryptophan or urinary metabolites such as 2-pyridone/N-methylnicotinamide ratio <2 or NAD/NADP ratio in red blood cells can diagnose pellagra. The diagnosis is confirmed by rapid improvements in symptoms after doses of nicotinamide (250–500 mg/day) or nicotinamide enriched food. [7]
A man with pellagra, which is caused by a chronic lack of vitamin B 3 in the diet. Severe deficiency of niacin in the diet causes the disease pellagra, characterized by diarrhea, sun-sensitive dermatitis involving hyperpigmentation and thickening of the skin (see image), inflammation of the mouth and tongue, delirium, dementia, and if left untreated, death. [7]
Tea and toast syndrome is a form of malnutrition commonly experienced by elderly people who cannot prepare meals and tend to themselves. The term is not intrinsic to tea or bread products only; rather, it describes limited dietary patterns that lead to reduced calories resulting in a deficiency of vitamins and other nutrients.
In the elderly, low serum zinc levels have been reported, which weakens the immune system, making them more susceptible to infections and increasing their risk of morbidity. Aging impairs T cell function, particularly due to zinc deficiency, and the reduced synthesis of metallothionein disrupts zinc balance in the gut and other tissues. [ 171 ]
Blood tests are performed to rule out other causes and to confirm an elevated level of vitamin B 6 with an absence of hypophosphatasia. [ 14 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 57 ] [ 58 ] Examination does not typically show signs of a motor deficit , dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system or impairment of the central nervous system , [ 4 ] [ 3 ] although ...
Pellagra, a similar condition, is also caused by low nicotinamide; this disorder results in dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. [ citation needed ] Hartnup disease is a disorder of amino acid transport in the intestine and kidneys; otherwise, the intestine and kidneys function normally, and the effects of the disease occur mainly in the brain ...