Pellagra

Description

Pellagra is a disease that is a result of a severe deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) in the diet is and characterized by skin outbreaks, digestive as well as nervous system disruptions, and eventual mental deterioration.

Symptoms of Pellagra

Symptoms of pellagra include diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, swelling of the mouth, burning of the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus, abdominal distention and pain or discomfort in the stomach area, poor digestive function, vomiting, weight loss, tension and irritability, poor cold tolerance, impaired memory, confusion, as well as paranoia. In some cases, the skin can also turn dark and become thicker, rougher, and incredibly dry.

Cause of Pellagra

It can be caused by alcoholism, a diet high in maize (Indian native corn), severe diarrhea, parasites, cirrhosis of the liver, post-medical nutrient inadequacies, stress, genetic predisposition, as well as consumption of junk foods, which are very low within B vitamins and full of refined sugar that deplete B vitamins.

Note: Before a diagnosis of pellagra can be made, you must first be sure that tongue and lip redness and swelling is actually from pellagra and not because of other vitamin deficiencies or diseases. Do the same for symptoms of looseness of the bowels, and pores and skin and nervous system disorders, which may be caused from other illnesses.

Natural Remedies

Note: Since multiple inadequacies of vitamins and protein frequently occur together, both a dietary and nutritional supplementation program needs to be implemented under the guidance of a physician trained in diet plan and nutrition.

Diet: Healthy eating is of primary importance. Drink plenty of pure filtered drinking water and eat fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and complex whole grains, as well as organic, free-range meat, poultry, and wild-caught seafood.

Avoid all commercial, processed, fried, and non-organic meals, as well as alcoholic beverages, coffee, sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives, food chemical dyes, milk as well as dairy products, wheat and wheat products, and refined carbohydrates. Reduce your intake of maize if you eat it at all. Do not eat saturated, trans-hydrogenated or partly-hydrogenated fats and oils. Instead, choose from virgin coconut butter/oil, extra virgin olive oil, high lignin flaxseed oil, as well as unrefined hemp seed, walnut, and sunflower oils.

In addition, get screened for potential food allergies as well as sensitivities and steer clear of those foods for which you test positive.

Eat organic foods that are full of niacin and other B nutritional vitamins, protein, and the amino acid tryptophan. Such meals include organic whole grains, bananas, raw seeds and nuts, peanuts, lean meats, avocados, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, legumes, collard greens, enriched breads as well as cereals, fish, halibut, tuna, swordfish, skin free breast of chicken, and turkey.

For the complete whole-foods eating plan we recommend visiting the full post: Whole Foods Diet. In many cases, a raw meals eating plan can be extremely beneficial. To learn more, read Raw Food Diet.

Nutritional Supplements: Supplement along with vitamin B3, which is available in two forms, niacin and niacinamide. Niacin in dosages of 100 mg or more can sometimes cause flushing and chills; many people prefer niacinamide, which does not produce this kind of symptoms. Nevertheless, the symptoms are safe and niacin is the preferred form of vitamin B3 for pellagra.

Additionally supplement with vitamin B complex and free form amino acids.

Optional Professional Care

If your signs and symptoms persist despite following the steps listed above, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be helpful for treating pellagra: Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary with for descriptions of these alternative therapies.)

Printable Plan of action:

Quick Action Plan for Pellagra

1. Avoid all sugars, refined carbohydrates, milk as well as dairy products, sodas, processed foods, preservatives, sugar substitutes (especially aspartame), corn syrup, alcohol, whitened bread and white flour products, pastries, and hydrogenated and trans-fatty oils, as well as all foods to which you’re allergic. Minimize your intake of maize.

2. Eat organic meals that are full of niacin and other B vitamins, protein, and also the amino acid tryptophan. Such meals include natural whole grains, bananas, raw seeds and nut products, peanuts, lean meats, avocados, broccoli, potatoes, tomato plants, legumes, collard greens, overflowing breads and cereals, fish, halibut, tuna, swordfish, skinless breast of chicken, as well as turkey.

3. Emphasize organic, fresh vegetables and non–citrus fruits, organic grains, as well as organic, free-range meats and poultry and wild-captured fish.

4. Drink lots of pure, filtered water throughout the day.

5. Supplement with vitamin B 3. Niacin is the preferred form of supplement B3 with regard to pellagra. Additionally supplement with vitamin B complex and free form amino acids.

6. Additionally, these professional treatment therapies have all been shown to be useful for dealing with pellagra: Permanent magnetic Field Treatment, Naturopathic Treatments, Orthomolecular Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.