Question
Alcoholics tend to be malnourished, with thiamine deficiency being a particularly severe problem. Suggest a reason why this is so.
Step 1
This is a significant factor contributing to malnutrition in alcoholics. \[ \text{Alcohol} \rightarrow \text{Calories} \] Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Sam Limsuwannarot and 75 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
Beriberi is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{1}$ (thiamine) in the diet. Thiamine is the precursor of thiamine pyrophosphate. In view of what you have learned in this chapter, why is it not surprising that alcoholics tend to develop this disease?
Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency diseases have a lower prevalence now than in the past. However, they are seen as beriberi in some developing regions and in regions of crisis, and as Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome in some alcoholics. One type of beriberi causes neurological symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and loss of sensation. What is a possible explanation for these symptoms?
One of the enzymes needed for the metabolism of ethanol uses a derivative of vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{1}$ as a cofactor. Why is it not surprising that alcoholics develop beriberi, a disease caused by a vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{1}$ deficiency?
Transcript
18,000,000+
Students on Numerade
Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD