nutritional disorders
Niacin Deficiency
Etiology ofNiacinDeficiency
Primaryniacindeficiencyresults from extremely inadequate intake of bothniacinandtryptophan, which usually occurs in areas where maize (Indian corn) constitutes a substantial part of the diet. Boundniacin, found in maize, is not assimilated in the gastrointestinal tract unless it has been previously treated with alkali, as when tortillas are prepared. Corn protein is also deficient intryptophan. The high incidence of pellagra in India among people who eat millet with a high leucine content has led to the hypothesis that amino acid imbalance may contribute to deficiency. Deficiencies of protein and many B vitamins commonly accompany primaryniacindeficiency. may be due to diarrhea, Cirrhosis , or 