BERIBERI

Nathan Trujillo3/8/2012

Background of Beriberi

• Beriberi is a disease in which the body does not have enough thiamine (vitamin B1).

• Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin used to help release energy from carbohydrates.

Background of Beriberi (cont)

• RDA for thiamine is 1.1 to 1.2 mg/day. The daily value of 1.5 mg is used on food labels.

• There is no upper limit since excess Thiamine is excreted quickly.

Two Major Types of Beriberi:

• Wet beriberi affects the cardiovascular system.

• Dry beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome affects the nervous system.

The Pathology of Beriberi

• Symptoms include weakness, loss of appetite, irritability, nervous tingling throughout the body, poor arm and leg coordination, and deep muscle pain in the calves.

• Results when glucose cannot be metabolized to release energy.

Epidemiology of Beriberi

• Seen in areas where white (polished) rice is a staple. Brown rice still has the bran which is a source of thiamine.

• Not prevalent in the U.S. since most foods are fortified with thiamine.

• Beriberi is not hereditary.

• Affects men and women equally regardless of age.

Beriberi’s effects on

Japanese soldiers during

WWII

Diagnosis and Treatment• Physical and Neurological examinations

are used to assess signs of deterioration.

• The goal of treatment is to replace the thiamine your body is lacking. Supplements are given orally or by injection.

• Prognosis is very good if detected early.• There is no surgical alternatives.

Breakfast Meal Plan

Day 1 Vit B-1 Day 2 Vit B-1

Day 3 Vit B-1

• Cheerios Cereal w/ 1% milk

.59 • Instant Breakfast w/ 1% milk

.40 • Total Cereal w/ 1% milk

2.15

• Whole Wheat Toast

.10 • Honeydew Melon

.37 • Banana .03

• Glass of citrus fruit drink

.05 • Cantaloupe .23 • Coffee 0

Total: .74 1.00 2.18

Vitamin B-1 reported in mg

Lunch Menu

Day 1 Vit B-1 Day 2 Vit B-1

Day 3 Vit B-1

• Spinach Salad w/Mandarin Oranges and Sunflower Seeds

2.01 • Ham Sandwich on Whole Wheat

.89 • Soft Pretzel .46

• Thousand Island Dressing

.23 • Fresh Pineapple

.37 • Mandarin Oranges w/Light Syrup

.12

• Glass of Rice Tea

.09 • Water 0 • Water 0

Total: 2.33 1.26 .58

Vitamin B-1 reported in mg

Dinner Menu

Day 1 Vit B-1 Day 2 Vit B-1

Day 3 Vit B-1

• Vegetarian Stew

1.73 • Breaded Pork Chop

.81 • Tortellini w/meat

.46

• Hard Roll .27 • Potatoes au Gratin

.15 • White Sweet Corn

.31

• Glass of Soy Milk

.15 • Fresh Green Peas

.38 • Can of Beer .03

Total: 2.15 1.34 .80

Daily Totals 5.22 3.60 3.56

Vitamin B-1 reported in mg

Which should you eat?

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 24 g

88 cal

8g fat

159 mg Sodium

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 26 g

100 cal

1.5 g fat

140 mg sodium

The Berry Berry Kix has a higher amount of Thiamine.

Questions

• Why is the U.S. and other developed countries not at risk for Beriberi?– Most of the food is vitamin enriched

• What is the daily upper limit for Thiamine?– There is none since it is water soluble

• Which type of Beriberi affects the nervous system?– Dry

Resources• Beriberi. (2010). Retrieved 1 March 2012, from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001379/ • Dietary Reference Intakes. (ND). Retrieved 1 March 2012, from

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Thiamin/58-86_150.pdf• Hawk, A. (2006). The Great Disease Enemy, Kak'ke (Beriberi) and the

Imperial Japanese Army. Military Medicine, 171(4), 333-339.• Wardlaw, G.M., & Smith, A.M. (2011). Contemporary Nutrition Eighth

Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.• Watnick, M. (2009). Food Composition Table. New York, NY: McGraw-

Hill.• Nutrition Facts for Kix cereals:http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-

general-mills-kix-i8048 http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-big-g-berry-kix-i115976