PELLAGRA
It is several years now since I wrote my first book Stress and Nervous Disorders. I remember writing about a young lady who came to see me in one of my clinics in the South of England. The lady was upset and very tense as she had been diagnosed and classified as mentally unstable. Yet when I spoke to her, I felt doubtful about this conclusion and it soon became clear that she suffered from a condition called pellagra, which, by her own admission, made her impossible to live with. Pellagra is described as a chronic disease, caused by a deficiency of niacin in the diet, and characterised by skin eruptions and mental disorders. It is the label of mental illness that is most difficult to shake. I still see her occasionally, and there is little that reminds me of the person who, so many years ago, walked into my consulting rooms. This metamorphosis is largely due to the fact that she no longer suffers from pellagra. When I first interviewed her, she told me that she had been on a weight-reducing diet and that she had taken appetite-suppressing drugs. She had indeed managed to lose a considerable amount of weight and she also told me that she remembered feeling very clear in her mind. At no time did she ever consider the idea that she might be suffering from malnutrition. Although she thought that the diet and resulting weight loss had done her a lot of good, after a while the first signs appeared of her brain and nerve cells having suffered from lack of nutrition.As soon as I saw her I recognised her skin problem as pellagra and I told her that her only way to recover was to follow a healthy and balanced diet. I reassured her that if she kept to the instructions she need not worry about regaining any of the weight she had shed with such effort. In fact it was largely due to her weight loss that she had become deficient in the B Complex vitamins, and therefore I immediately prescribed vitamin B6 and vitamin C.It is not unusual for vitamin deficiencies to occur when diets become unbalanced and sometimes this is the case, even with carefully worked out slimming diets. In these cases I always introduce a diet rich in soya and rice, as these are valuable dietary supplements. With supplementary minerals such as potassium, chromium, selenium and the B vitamins, many deficiencies can be redressed. Once I had explained to this patient the basis of my diagnosis and resulting recommendations, she was as conscientious in following my dietary instructions as she had been when she wanted to lose weight. She soon noticed a remarkable improvement in the condition of her skin. Some Niacin and vitamin B3 gave her a little extra help and the end results took her by surprise.With a long-standing problem like pellagra, it is essential to rebuild the body. Once the diagnosis has been reached, some remedies or supplements can be introduced, including oil of evening primrose and additional vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Given today’s harassed and frantic lifestyle, the B vitamins are vital. They are particularly important for the health of nerves and the brain, and also for defence against infections. As man is not able to store B vitamins, we must ensure a ready supply in our diet. Moreover, B vitamins are water soluble and therefore easily lost in the cooking process. This information should be kept in mind when deciding on a vitamin supplement.Taking a vitamin B Complex supplement to correct vitamin deficiencies, will maintain the nerves and the nervous system in good order, release energy from our carbohydrate fuel, maintain the health of our digestive tract, repair and regenerate the circulatory system, assist the metabolic process of fats and proteins, and maintain healthy eyes, hair, skin and mucous membranes.Especially in the case of a pellagra condition, it is worth noting that after taking vitamin B3 or Niacin, if the vitamin is taken in its nicotinic acid form, a flushing or tingling sensation can sometimes be experienced. It is often also considered necessary to take vitamin B2 or Riboflavin which is one of the co-enzymes which enables us to utilise oxygen safely and effectively. It is involved in the conversion of protein, fats and sugar into energy. It is important for the eyes, skin, hair and nails, and for the repair and maintenance of soft tissue, such as the lips, tongue, and mucous membranes in the mouth (for example). Again this vitamin is water soluble and therefore not stored in large amounts and must be regularly provided in the diet. Since the richest food sources of Riboflavin include liver and yeast, vegetarians often choose to take a vitamin B2 supplement. Riboflavin naturally has a strong yellow colour and sometimes is the cause of highly-coloured urine, but it is harmless.If the skin has suffered for a long period of time from a pellagra condition, it is possible to introduce some remedies to help restore good health. Again, I feel that the natural herbal antibiotic, Echinaforce, is of great help. Another symptom of pellagra can be unpleasant gastro-intestinal complaints. In these cases the Centaurium (corn flower) remedy should be used and this can be easily combined with Echinaforce and the vitamin supplements.Many skin conditions are the result of dietary habits and the more white sugar, fats and animal protein our diet contains, the smaller the reserves of certain vitamins, and this most definitely includes Niacin. This vitamin also plays a major part in cholesterol problems and if the skin is blemished, as it can be with cholesterol deposits, Niacin will help to put this right. We sometimes overlook the fact that our food does not contain the nutrients it used to, and vitamin supplements are therefore increasingly necessary.The definition of ‘vitamin’ is an organic food substance, essential for the normal metabolism of other nutrients, the promotion of growth and the maintenance of health. Not all vitamins can be synthesized within the body. Vitamins are essential for regulating the metabolism, they help to convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and they assist in the formation, growth and repair of bone tissue. Vitamins are also essential for reproduction, formation of antibodies, coagulation of blood, formulation of intercellular substances, and for the integrity of bone, skin, blood and nervous tissue. They function as co-enzymes for innumerable chemical reactions concerned with the metabolism of food on which the nutrition of the body really depends. It is also true that essential micro-nutrients, or metabolic activators, have a specific activity in the prevention of deficiency diseases and that the same nutrients are important to life’s process.*37\147\2*
