5. In a recent study of individual living in a certain town in Benue state locat

Question

5. In a recent study of individual living in a certain town in Benue state located in Nigeria, a medical researcher observes a very high incidence of pellagra among one of two groups of subjects, viz. Group A individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets; and Group B, individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets but frequent drinkers of Burukutu, a Nigerian fermented sorghum beer. Before embarking on his research, the medical researcher had formulated the hypothesis that: “Pellagra incidence will be significantly higher among individuals feeding exclusively on high unfermented maize-content diets who are frequent drinkers of Burukutu”.

5.a. From your knowledge of fermented foods, which population of the subjects (A or B, above) would you expect to actively develop pellagra?

5.b. Scientifically explain the reason for your answer in 5a above.

Explanation / Answer

GroupB will develop pellagra because Existence on maize or sorghum diets and loss of or failure to isolate niacin from them led to pellagra incidence in India, South Africa, Southern Europe in the 18th century and the USA following the civil war. Pellagra is also induced by drugs inhibiting the conversion of Trp to niacin and by conditions of gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Niacin is more commonly known as vitamin b3. A deficiency can lead to a disease called pellagra, but too much niacin can cause problems as well. One of it’s better known uses is in treating high cholesterol. It may also help reduce anxiety.Pellagra was once described in terms of the “four D's,” dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. The first symptoms of the disease are fatigue and depression. The condition then causes red blisters to break out on the skin all over the body. The tongue and throat may turn bright red and the hair may fall out. Minerals leach out of the bones and teeth and osteoporosis and tooth decay follow. The skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight, and there may be diarrhea, loss of feeling in the hands and feet, insomnia, muscle weakness, destruction of the heart muscle, and eventually dementia and death.

Best source of niacin for Juicers
Niacin (vitamin b3) is not found in large quantities in fruit or vegetables. Brewer’s yeast is a good source, as is rice, wheat bran, peanuts, poultry and fish.

Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin best known for its role in energy production. Unlike some of the other B vitamins, too much niacin can cause almost as many problems as too little.

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