Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 13.1.
Recommended daily uptake of thiamine
Thiamine (mg day
-1
)
Age
Male
Female
Sucklings
<
4 months
0.2
Sucklings 4-12 months
0.4
Children 1-4 years
0.6
Children 4-7 years
0.8
Children 7-10 years
1.0
Children 10-13 years
1.2
1.0
Children 13-15 years
1.4
1.1
Adults 15-25 years
1.3
1.0
Adults 25-51 years
1.2
1.0
Adults 51-65 years
1.1
1.0
Adults
>
65 years
1.0
1.0
Pregnant
1.2
Breast feeding
1.4
From DGE (2007)
(gastrointestinal diseases), impaired transport, increased requirements (preg-
nancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, increased physical activity,
infections, trauma and surgery) or increased losses and impaired biosynthesis
of TPP.
Clinically manifest deficiency appears in several forms of an illness
called beriberi (cf. Lonsdale, 2006; Nohr, 2009c), which is nowadays mostly
a problem in some regions of southeast Asia, mainly due to the consumption
of thiamine-free rice, raw fish (contains thiaminase) or chewing of betel-nut
or fermented tea leaves (which contain ''anti-thiaminic'' tannins). Another
risk group comprised chronic alcoholics who often consume low-quality
meals, have poor appetite and suffer from gastrointestinal problems and
malabsorption. One can differentiate infantile beriberi (often lethal in suck-
lings fed by thiamine-deficient mothers) from two forms of adult beriberi:
dry beriberi is characterized by peripheral neuropathy (''burning feet syn-
drome'', exaggerated reflexes, diminished sensation and weakness in all
limbs, muscle pain, problems rising from squatting position and, in severe
cases, eventually seizures). Wet beriberi is characterized by cardiovascular
symptoms (rapid heart rate, enlargement of the heart, oedema, breathing
problems and ultimately congestive heart failure). ''Cerebral'' beriberi
mostly leads to Wernicke's encephalopathy and to Korsakoff's psychosis,
both together appearing as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which, how-
ever, is not easily diagnosed but can be treated by thiamine supplementation
(Meier and Daeppen, 2005).
