Question

The fact that the amino acid tryptophan can be converted to niacin by the body explains why ________.

A diets high in protein could prevent or cure pellagra

B corn-based diets prevent pellagra

C gelatin cures pellagra

D alcoholics sometimes develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Answer 1

A diet high in protein could prevent or cure pellagra because the body can convert the amino acid tryptophan into niacin, which is essential to avoid deficiency diseases like pellagra.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fact that the amino acid tryptophan can be converted to niacin by the body explains why diets high in protein could prevent or cure pellagra. Pellagra is a deficiency disease of niacin characterized by '3 Ds': Dermatitis, Diarrhoea, and Dementia. When the intake of niacin is low, the body can convert tryptophan from protein-rich sources such as liver, fish, beans, and peanuts into niacin. Approximately 60 mg of tryptophan can give rise to 1 mg of niacin. Thus, consuming a diet with sufficient tryptophan, such as one rich in protein, has a sparing effect on niacin requirement, helping to prevent or even cure pellagra.