Thiamine (vitamin b1) deficiency diseases have a lower prevalence now than in the past. however, they are seen as beriberi in some developing regions and in regions of crisis, and as wernicke–korsakoff syndrome in some alcoholics. one type of beriberi causes neurological symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and loss of sensation. what is a possible explanation for these symptoms?

Answer and Explanation:

      Vitamin B (thiamine) is usually found in cereals, grains, vegetables and meat among other foods. Ingestion of this nutrient through balanced diet is one of the most important measures for the control of Beriberi. Not only the consumption of thiamine sources, but also the decrease in beverages that may disturb the absorption of thiamine, such as coffee and alcoholic beverages.

     Beriberi is a serious disease directly linked to the lack of thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1. This disease can lead to death, but with proper treatment, it is possible to achieve cure. When vitamin B1 is not consumed regularly in food, mild symptoms of beriberi may arise such as insomnia, nervousness, irritation, fatigue, loss of appetite and energy. These problems may manifest themselves after two to three months of exclusively consuming thiamine-poor foods. Symptoms can still develop into more severe symptoms such as numbness, tingling and swelling of the legs and arms, difficulty breathing, heart problems, heart failure and even death.

   Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome), also known as alcoholic encephalopathy, cerebral beriberi, among others, is a neuropathy related to vitamin B1 deficiency, and indirectly (but more commonly) acute alcoholism, because alcohol interfere in body's ability to absorb thiamine.

  Vitamin B1 is related to the process of transformation of pyruvic acid, which is responsible for performing biochemical transformations of proteins, fats and mainly carbohydrates. When this element is lacking in the body, neurons are the most affected cells, causing these sympthons above.