What was the specific actual cause of pellagra in the US?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In evaluating the question about the specific actual cause of pellagra in the US, a careful look at each option is needed.
Option 1: 'Outbreak of lice in warm areas'—Pellagra is not caused by parasitic infestations or lice outbreaks. This option confuses a potential public health nuisance with the nutritional deficiency syndrome pellagra, which stems from diet and metabolism rather than ectoparasites.
Option 2: 'Mosquito bites'—Pellagra has no etiological link to vector-borne infections. Mosquito bites transmit other pathogens, but they do not cause niacin deficiency or pellagra. This choice misattributes the disease to an infectious vector rather than a nutritional deficiency.
Option 3: 'Low intake of the vitamin niacin (nicotinic acid)'—This aligns with the established cause of pellagra, historically observed in populations with diets heavily reliant on corn-based foods lacking bioavailable niacin or tryptophan, and in conditions with poor overall nutrition. The deficiency leads to the characteristic dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia associated with pellagra.
Option 4: 'Intake of fatty meat'—High or specific fatty meat consumption is not recognized as the cause of pellagra. In fact, some traditional approaches to prevent pellagra involved diversifying diet beyond starches and restricted items; fatty meat intake per se is not a causal factor for pellagra.
Overall, the reasoning centers on understanding pellagra as a nutritional deficiency related to niacin availability, rather than infectious or dietary choices unrelated to niacin content. The misattributions in the first two options reflect common misconceptions about disease causation, while the fourth option incorrectly links the condition to a general dietary component rather than the critical niacin deficiency.

11:709:255:01 NUTRITION AND HEALTH Lecture Quiz 1 - DRI Quiz S2025

What was the specific actual cause of pellagra in the US?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The diagnostic term Pell/agra refers to _____ and is caused by the lack of niacin or niacinamide in the diet.

All are true of pellagra EXCEPT:

Niacin deficiency was in epidemic proportions in the southern US in

What vitamin is associated with Pellagra?

What vitamin is associated with Pellagra?

Why did pellagra erupt about the year 1900 in the US?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler