Digestion And Absorption Question 43
Question: Which of the following is/are correct statements regarding beri-beri?
(i) A crippling disease prevalant among the native population of sub-Saharan Africa. (ii) A deficiency disease caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin $ B_1 $ ). (iii) A nutritional disorder in infants and young children when the diet is persistently deficient in essential protein. (iv) Occurs in those countries where the staple diet is polished rice. (v) The symptoms are pain, paralysis, muscle, cramps, progressive oedema, mental deterioration and finally heart failure.
Options:
A) (i), (ii) and (v)
B) (i), (ii) and (iv)
C) (i), (iii) and (v)
D) (ii), (iii) and (v)
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
[a] Deficiency of vitamin $ B_1 $ causes beri-beri disease.
Beri beri disease was discovered by Eijkman in 1897.
Eijkman observed that the disease beri-beri occured mainly in people feeding on a polished rice diet.
This disease is rare in the western world because of food habits and food enrichment.
Beri-beri disease is characterised by loss of appetite and weight and vigour, retarted growth, degeneration of nerves, muscle atrophy, even paralysis, weakened heart beat and failure.
BETA
