Prolonged deficiency of nicotinic acid causes

Options

(a) osteomalacia
(b) pellagra
(c) anaemia
(d) xerophthalmia

Correct Answer:

pellagra

Explanation:

The nicotinic acid or niacin (vitamin B₃) is required for co-enzymes NAD and NADP (dehydrogenases) and its deficiency causes pellagra charcterised by three D’s such as diarrhoea, dermatitis and dementia. Xerophthalmia, osteomalacia and anaemia are caused by the deficiency of vitamin-A, and vitamin-D and iron respectively.