Pellagra
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- What is pellagra?
- Symptoms of pellagra
- Causes of pellagra
- Prevention of pellagra
- Risk factors for pellagra
- Complications of pellagra
- When to see a doctor about pellagra
- Diagnosis of pellagra
- Conventional treatment of pellagra
- Alternative/complementary treatment of pellagra
- Living with pellagra
- Caring for someone with pellagra
Alternative/complementary treatment of pellagra
Serious pellagra (especially secondary pellagra) should only be diagnosed and treated by a medical doctor who can administer vitamin B3 (niacin) and any other nutrients intravenously. The recommendations below are for people who have a mild deficiency in vitamin B3 and need to top up their levels back to normal.
Herbs
There are no herbs that are recommended to be used for people with pellagra.
Vitamins
Treatment of pellagra involves the following:
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) - supplementation with vitamin B3 (niacin) is recommended to help increase this nutrient in the bloodstream, to reduce symptoms and prevent any possible complications and late stage symptoms
- Vitamin B complex - in order to support the absorption of the vitamin B3 (niacin), it should be supplemented together with the other B vitamins in a B vitamin complex
Minerals
There are no minerals that are recommended to be used for people with pellagra.
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Other nutrients
There is one other nutrient which is recommended to be taken along with the vitamin B3 (niacin):
- Tryptophan - the amino acid tryptophan is required to enable the body to use vitamin B3 (niacin) properly and in fact, a deficiency of tryptophan can make pellagra worse so is recommended
Dietary modifications
There are some dietary modifications which may be useful in preventing pellagra or reducing pellagra symptoms (along with the other recommendations here):
- Eat more foods rich in tryptophan - these foods should be incorporated into the diet. The foods highest in tryptophan are: freshly cooked turkey, bananas, beef, cottage cheese, lentils, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy beans
- Eat more foods rich in vitamin B3 - these foods should be incorporated into the diet. The foods highest in vitamin B3 (niacin) are: almonds, beef, chicken, legumes, mackerel, peanuts, salmon, sardines, sunflower seeds
Lifestyle modifications
There are no lifestyle modifications that are recommended to be used for people with pellagra.
Alternative treatments
There are no alternative treatments that are recommended to be used for people with pellagra.
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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