Lathyrism : Neurological Disease
Grass pea, also known as khesari dal, has been historically infamous for causing lathyrism, a neurological disease leading to lower limb paralysis.
- In the late 19th century, an outbreak of lathyrism linked to grass pea led to its ban in India in 1961 under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.
- Despite the ban, grass pea cultivation continued, and researchers developed low-toxin varieties.
- In 2015, an expert committee recommended lifting the ban, emphasizing its potential for food security amid climate change.
- Lathyrism is a neurological disorder caused by eating too much grass pea (Lathyrus sativus).
- It’s also known as neurolathyrism
- Lathyrism is one of the oldest known neurotoxic disorders.
- It’s a skeletal disorder caused by the toxin BAPN, which inhibits the copper-containing enzyme lysyl oxidase
