BERI BERI
Beri beri is an illness caused by a deficiency of thiamine, more commonly known as vitamin B1. The name beri beri is derived from the Sinhalese word for “I cannot, I cannot”, which is the symptom of the condition. Beri beri is most commonly found in countries where polished white rice is the primary source of food. This is due to the fact that the milling process removes much of the thiamine present in the rice. Beri beri is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, irritability, and loss of appetite. It can also lead to more serious conditions such as heart failure if left untreated.
History
The first recorded cases of beri beri occurred in Japan in the late 19th century. During this period, polished white rice had become the main staple of the Japanese diet, leading to a rapid increase in beri beri cases. Japanese physicians quickly identified that the condition was caused by a dietary deficiency and began to look for ways to prevent it. This eventually led to the discovery of thiamine in the early 20th century, and a number of treatments that use thiamine as a supplement to help treat and prevent beri beri.
Today, beri beri is still a problem in certain parts of the world, although the availability of fortified foods and supplements has helped reduce the incidence of the condition. In areas where beri beri is still a major problem, the World Health Organization has recommended fortifying rice with thiamine, as well as other vitamins and minerals, to help reduce the incidence of beri beri.
Further Reading
Aoyagi, T., Yoshida, S., & Takeda, H. (2013). Beriberi: A Historical Overview. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97(5), 1160-1166.
Bates, C. J., Prentice, A. M., & Bates, B. (1996). Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Deficiency: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease? European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 50(6), 317-321.
Tsukada, H., & Matsuura, M. (1939). Studies on Beriberi: I. On the Nature of the Endemic Disease. The American Journal of Medicine, 6(4), 483-506.