Digestion and Absorption Question 72
72. Which group of three of the following five statements (a-e) contain is all three correct statements regarding beri-beri?
[2005]
(A) a crippling disease prevalant among the native population of sub-Saharan Africa;
(B) a deficiency disease caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin $B_1$ )
(C) a nutritional disorder in infants and young children when the diet is persistently deficient in essential protein;
(D) occurs in those countries where the staple diet is polished rice;
(E) the symptoms are pain from neuritis, paralysis, muscle wasting, progressive oedema, mental deterioration and finally heart failure;
(a) B, D and E
(b) A, B and D
(c) A, C and E
(d) B, C and E
Show Answer
Answer : a
Hints & Solution
(a) Deficiency of vitamin $B_1$ causes Beri Beri disease. Beri Beri disease was discovered by Eijkman in 1897 . He observed that the disease occured mainly in people existing on a polished rice diet. This disease is rare in the western world because of food habits and food enrichment. Beri beri disease is characterized by loss of apetite and weight and vigour, retarted growth, degeneration of nerves, muscle atrophy, and even paralysis, weakened heart beat and failure.
