Causes of Pellagra
Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3 or niacin in the diet. When the body doesn’t get enough nicotinic acid, which is facilitated by tryptophan, a shortage of this essential amino acid occurs. This deficiency is often a result of a diet that lacks sufficient amounts of meat, dairy, fish, and eggs. To reduce the risk of pellagra, as well as other nutritional deficit diseases like beri-beri and scurvy, it is important to maintain a balanced diet.
Pellagra can be classified into two types: primary and secondary. The primary form of pellagra directly stems from a lack of vitamin B3. On the other hand, secondary pellagra is caused by various factors such as medications, alcoholism, chronic diarrhea, and sometimes allergies. These conditions can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb or utilize niacin and tryptophan. It is worth noting that secondary pellagra can be more challenging to treat compared to the primary form.
Pellagra Epidemic in the United States
Pellagra, a nutritional deficiency disease, was once widespread in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the Civil War. The devastation caused by the war left many individuals with limited access to food, leading them to rely on cheap and readily available sources. Corn, in particular, became a dietary staple for numerous Americans. Unfortunately, pellagra commonly afflicted various groups, including cotton mill workers, coal miners, sharecroppers, and individuals residing in mental institutions. These individuals often consumed cornmeal as a primary component of their diet, resulting in a lack of dietary diversity.
The introduction of the Beall Degerminator, a machine that removed a significant portion of niacin from corn, further exacerbated the pellagra problem. Between 1907 and 1911, there were approximately 16,000 confirmed cases of pellagra in eight southern states alone, with an alarming death rate of nearly 40 percent. South Carolina reported nearly thirty-thousand cases by 1912, with a similarly high death rate. The cause of pellagra remained unidentified, as its occurrence fluctuated based on economic factors that influenced the availability of diverse food supplies.