Vitamin Deficiencies

The video discusses the crucial role of vitamins in health, highlighting how deficiencies can lead to diseases like scurvy and rickets. It narrates the story of Dr. Joseph Goldberger, who, in the early 20th century, investigated pellagra, a disease prevalent in the southern USA. Goldberger challenged the prevailing belief that pellagra was infectious, proposing instead that it was due to a poor diet lacking in variety. His experiments with prisoners confirmed his hypothesis, leading to the discovery that a deficiency in Vitamin B3 (niacin) was the cause. This breakthrough linked vitamins directly to health, and dietary changes have since eradicated pellagra in the USA.

Which vitamin deficiency was identified by Goldberger as the cause of pellagra?

How did Goldberger's findings impact the prevalence of pellagra in America?