The disease beri-beri has been recognized from centuries but a scientist named EIJKMAN observed in 1890s that whosoever ate polished rice, seemed to suffer from this disease and in 1936 the component responsible for cause of beri-beri was determined and named thiamine.

Deficiency of Thiamine

The thiamine required by the body is roughly proportional to the calories expenditure of the body. Thiamine is not stored and the total reserve in the lasts only for few weeks under normal requirement of thiamine in daily diet is 0.5mg/1,000 calorie intake.

The disease known as beri-beri due to deficiencies of thiamine is of special significance among the rice eaters.

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Causes of Thiamine Deficiency

(a) Low Intake: Specially in the areas where refined cereals in the form of polished rice and refined flour are taken as staple diet for supply of calories. Milling of cereals removes those portions of grains which are rich in thiamine: the sperm alemone layer and the bran.

(b) Poor Absorption: Patients suffering from various diseases of gastro-intestinal tract suffer from poor absorption and assimilation of thiamine.

(c) Excessive Demand: During pregnancy, lactation, diarrhoea, etc., and hepatic disorders or diseases which interface with proper absorption and utilization of it, there is an excessive demand of thiamine.