4000 years ago was described a disease that currently is called thiamine or vitamin B1 deficiency. This disease affects many body systems and functions. Impaired neuronal and muscle failure caused by thiamine insufficiency in food, is causing various symptoms: from pain and weakness to paralysis and dystrophy; thiamine deficiency can cause nausea, vomiting, reduced bowel peristalsis and constipation. Mental disorders also occur, from mild irritability to a total depression, weakness and paranoia. Deep vitamin deficiency of thiamine can cause death.
Thiamine is contained in the rice shell and husk and by grinding it, will lose much of thiamine. Even today beriberi disease still occurs in many people.
Risk factors for beriberi disease
– Nutritional deficiencies
– Vegetarians or those who have a diet based on rice
– Alcoholics, because alcoholism blocks the absorption of thiamine
– Consumption of foods rich in thiaminase (shellfish and freshwater fish)
– High consumption of tea and coffee
– Excessive consumption of fats, oils and refined sugars
– Thiamine destruction by heat pasteurization and ionizing radiation
Increased thiamine intake is required in case of a hyperactive metabolism, prolonged fever, pregnancy and lactation, long periods of diarrhea, liver disease, renal failure under hemodialysis treatment, severe digestive problems when nutrients are not absorbed properly.
The disease affects people of all ages and is found mainly in Southeast Asia. In Western countries, is present mainly in people suffering from chronic alcoholism.
In adults there are different types of beriberi disease categorized by body system most affected. The dry form of the disease affects the nervous system. Wet form affects the heart and circulatory system. The person affected may develop both forms, but only one of them prevails.
A form of cardiovascular beriberi (wet beriberi), less common, is known as Shoshin beriberi disease. This disorder, which has a high mortality, implies a rapid onset of symptoms and acute heart failure.
The type of cerebral beriberi disease, also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, usually occurs in chronic alcoholics, and affects central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It can be caused by a disorder that worsens chronic thiamine deficiency, and excessive alcohol consumption or vomiting.
Infantile form of the disease occurs in infants whose mothers show a thiamine deficiency.
Causes for beriberi disease
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is part of the vitamin B complex, and plays an important role in energy metabolism and tissue growth. Combines with phosphate to form thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), which is essential in reactions that produce energy from glucose or that convert glucose into fat to be stored in the tissues.
When there is a deficiency of thiamine in the diet, the body’s energy functions are disturbed, which is felt throughout the body.
Special situations, such as the existence of a hyperactive metabolism, prolonged fever, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can increase the body’s need for thiamine causing specific symptoms of this vitamin deficiency.
Long periods of diarrhea or liver diseases cause body’s inability to maintain normal levels of many nutrients including vitamin B1.
Other disorders that increase the risk of developing beriberi are kidney disease under treatment with hemodialysis and severe digestive problems, in which nutrients are not absorbed properly. Also, frequent consumption of alcohol is a risk factor because alcohol decreases the body’s ability to absorb thiamine.
Prevention for beriberi disease
A balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients, prevent thiamine deficiency and thus prevent the disease beriberi.
People who eat large amounts of unhealthy foods such as crisps, sweets, soft drinks, and foods rich in carbohydrates made from flour enriched with various additives can develop a thiamine deficiency and other important nutrients. In this case it is necessary to administer vitamins and dietary supplements.
Thiamine requirement of the body is closely related to carbohydrate metabolism, and is expressed in accordance with the total calorie consumption.
The best food sources of vitamin B1 are pure meat pork, beef, liver, beans and peas, whole grains and bread. The more refined are the food, as in case of white rice, white bread and some others cereals, the lower is thiamine content. Many foods are fortified with thiamine, as well as riboflavin, niacin and iron to prevent a nutrient deficiency.
Mega B Complex Calivita is a natural product that contains all B-complex vitamins, including Vitamin B1, in high doses and prolonged release to provide all the necessary B vitamins for the body. Since B vitamins act synergistically, is recommended the use of B-complex supplement for a good balance and a pound of each vitamin.