Risk factors include a diet of mostly white rice, as well as
alcoholism, dialysis, chronic diarrhea, and taking high doses of diuretics. Rarely it may be due to a genetic condition that results in difficulties absorbing thiamine found in food. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are forms of dry beriberi.
Vitamin B1, also called thiamine or thiamin,
is one of 8 B
vitamins. All B
vitamins help the
body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the
body uses to produce energy. These B
vitamins, often referred to as B-complex
vitamins, also help the
body metabolize fats and protein.
