The most common symptoms of niacin deficiency involve the skin, digestive system, and nervous system.
The symptoms are described by the 3-D symptomatology:
- Dermatitis*
- Diarrhea
- Dementia and eventually death
* In the skin develops a symmetrical highly pigmented and scaly rash in areas exposed to sunlight. The word “pellagra” comes from the Italian term for rough or raw skin.
Symptoms, concerning the digestive system, are:
- A bright red tongue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (diarrhea)
Neurological symptoms include:
- Headache
- Apathy
- Fatigue
- Depression, disorientation and forgetfulness.
Severe niacin deficiency is ultimately fatal if left untreated.
