Beriberi (pronounced bɜriˈbɜri) is a nervous system ailment caused by a deficiency of thiamin (vitamin B1) in the diet. Thiamin is involved in the breakdown of energy molecules such as glucose and is also found on the membranes of neurons. Symptoms of beriberi include severe lethargy and fatigue, together with complications affecting the cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and gastrointestinal systems.
The origin of the word is from a Sinhalese ph...
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Beriberi (pronounced bɜriˈbɜri) is a nervous system ailment caused by a deficiency of thiamin (vitamin B1) in the diet. Thiamin is involved in the breakdown of energy molecules such as glucose and is also found on the membranes of neurons. Symptoms of beriberi include severe lethargy and fatigue, together with complications affecting the cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, and gastrointestinal systems.
The origin of the word is from a Sinhalese phrase meaning "I cannot, I cannot", the word being doubled for emphasis.
Beriberi is caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamin occurs naturally in unrefined cereals and fresh foods, particularly whole grain bread, fresh meat, legumes, green vegetables, fruit, and milk. Beriberi is therefore common in people whose diet excludes these particular types of nutrition e.g. as a result of famine.
Beriberi may be found in people whose diet consists mainly of polished white rice, which is very low in thiamin because the thiamin-bearing husk has...
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