Final answer:
The diet associated with pellagra is deficient in niacin, primarily found in maize. To prevent pellagra, a varied diet including niacin-rich foods is important.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diet associated with the condition known as pellagra is a diet deficient in niacin, also known as vitamin B3. Pellagra is characterized by symptoms such as dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
People who rely on a limited diet of maize (corn) as their staple food are at higher risk of developing pellagra. Maize is low in niacin, and the niacin in maize is not easily absorbed by the body. This is why populations that heavily rely on maize as their main source of food, such as some communities in Africa, are more susceptible to pellagra.
To prevent pellagra, it is important to consume a varied diet that includes sources of niacin, such as meat, fish, poultry, legumes, and whole grains. Additionally, in regions where maize is a staple food, it is important to treat the maize through processes like nixtamalization, which improves niacin bioavailability.