Beriberi is a nutritional disease characterized by a lack of vitamin B1 in the body, also called thiamine, which is a vitamin belonging to complex B and is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism in the body and energy production, so beriberi symptoms can appear throughout the body, with significant muscle cramps, double vision and mental confusion For example.
This disease is mainly caused by excessive consumption of alcohol or simple carbohydrates, such as cassava, rice and refined wheat flour, so it can also occur in people who are overweight or obese.
- Symptoms of beriberi usually appear after 2 to 3 months of insufficient intake of vitamin B1.
- The main symptoms being:.
Symptoms of colic, vomiting, restlessness and shortness of breath may also occur in children.It is also important to remember that this disease can also occur in people who are overweight or obese, who appear to be well fed.
The diagnosis of beriberi is mainly made by observing symptoms, which can be confirmed by a blood test that evaluates the amount of vitamin B1 in the body.
The treatment of the disease is done with the use of supplements of this vitamin, which should be taken for at least 6 months, eliminating alcohol consumption and changes in diet, which must be made by a nutritionist.
Thus, to help treat and prevent diseases, the consumption of foods rich in this vitamin, such as oats, sunflower seeds or brewer’s yeast, should be increased, privileging whole foods over refined foods, such as rice, flour and brewer’s yeast.Noodles. See the full list of foods rich in vitamin B1.
A good home remedy to treat beriberi is to drink daily carrot beer, beetroot and yeast.To make the juice, add 1 medium carrot and a half of a half better and the brewer’s yeast in the blender.This juice should be taken 3 times a week, for 3 months initially to restore the body from vitamin deficiency.
The main causes of vitamin B1 deficiency in the body are
Because it is water soluble, most vitamin B1 is lost during cooking, especially when cooking water is desyed.
If not treated properly, beriberi can cause complications of heart and liver growth, pulmonary edema, heart failure, decreased muscle sensitivity and strength, double vision and neurological problems, including delusions and memory loss.
In addition, it is important to remember that in more advanced cases treatment is not enough to cure muscle and neurological changes, but should be done to prevent the disease from getting worse.