Question

Lathyrism is caused by excessive consumption of
(a) Khesari dal
(b) Mustard oil
(c) Polished rice
(d) Mushrooms

Answer 1

Hint: A neuronal disorder caused by consumption of pulses obtained from the plant with the genus Lathyrus belongs to the family Fabaceae.

Complete step by step answer:
The oldest neurological disorder is caused due to excessive consumption of Lathyrus sativus commonly called khesari dal which is a deadly food that causes paralysis. It is banned in many parts of India because the consumption of khesari dal causes lower-limb paralysis.

Additional information:
- Indian Agriculture Research Institute ( IARI ) has done several experiments on khesari dal using tissue culture techniques and produces low toxin dal which is still on trails.
- Lathyrism is currently present in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia.
- This disorder causes non-progressive but irreversible spastic paraparesis.
- Myelin loss in the corticospinal tract and anterior horn of spinal cord impairment is observed.
- It is caused by the toxin called beta - N - oxalyl - amino - 1 - alanine which is a glutamate antagonist.
- Neurological signs are seen where a person's regular diet contains 30% of chickpea i.e, khesari dal.
- Men are mostly affected by Lathyrism when compared to women.
- Initial symptoms include pain in the lumbar region, stiffness, and weakness in lower parts of the body in the morning, clonic tremors are seen in the legs. Numbness paresthesias formication and sphincter spasms can also be seen
- There is the involvement of cranial nerves and sensory nerves of the cerebellum.
So, the correct answer is 'Khesari dal'.

Note: Duke of Wurttemberg recognized the toxic effects of Lathyrus flower in 1671 Germans conducted experiments on prisoners and for prisoners who consumed less than 200g of grass peas did not develop this disease and those who consumed more than 400g per day have shown symptoms of this disease. Excessive consumption has a major role in toxicity.