It is extremely important to follow a healthy and balanced diet. This not only serves to maintain the ideal weight, but above all to introduce the most important nutrients. These allow us to stay healthy and not to develop dangerous pathologies. Among the most important vitamins those of group B stand out. We must therefore be careful: the lack of vitamins of group B can cause this serious disease.
A disease that comes from the past
This disease has hit Italy hard in the past. We are talking about pellagra, a pathology that has especially afflicted the poor and peasant populations in the past centuries. Pellagra is caused by a severe deficiency of B vitamins and especially niacin. These vitamins are present in many foods. For this reason, pellagra occurs almost exclusively in those populations that consume mainly corn or sorghum. Our body is not able to absorb the B vitamins contained in these foods. Pellagra can become very serious. The three main symptoms are diarrhea, dermatitis and dementia. For this reason they are called “the three Ds”. Pellagra can prove fatal if left untreated. The mental disorders it causes can also lead to suicide.
What are the risks today?
Lack of B vitamins can cause this serious disease, but we don’t have to worry. If pellagra hit our ancestors who only ate polenta, we are safe. In fact, today pellagra still exists, but not in Italy. It is present in some very poor rural communities in India or Africa. These people often do not have access to a great variety of foods and often feed almost exclusively on sorghum. A varied diet rich in fresh foods contributes to our need for B vitamins. After having done the appropriate blood tests, however, we may discover that we are deficient in some type of B vitamin. What to do in these cases? First of all, don’t panic. The important thing is to contact a doctor who will prescribe adequate therapies such as taking food supplements.
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