Beri-beri is caused due to lack of which one of the following types of nutrients?

Beri-beri is a nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine [t1][t2]. Thiamine is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in energy metabolism and the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system [t2][t3]. Deficiency typically arises from inadequate dietary intake, impaired intestinal absorption, or high excretion rates, often seen in cases of malnutrition or chronic alcohol dependency [t1][t7]. There are two primary forms of the disease: wet beri-beri, which affects the cardiovascular system, and dry beri-beri, which primarily impacts the neurological system [t6][t8]. Prevention and treatment involve consuming a diet rich in vitamins or utilizing thiamine supplementation to restore the body's levels [t4][t6]. Therefore, beri-beri is classified as a vitamin deficiency disorder rather than a lack of fats, water, or minerals.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482360/
2. [2] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Thiamin-HealthProfessional/
3. [3] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000339.htm