Beriberi is a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. It often occurs
in people with a diet that consists mostly of white rice or highly refined carbohydrates.

Beriberi is a deficiency of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. There are two types of beriberi:

  • Wet beriberi. Wet beriberi affects the heart and circulatory system. In extreme cases, wet beriberi can cause heart failure.
  • Dry beriberi. Dry beriberi damages the nerves and can lead to decreased muscle strength and eventually muscle paralysis. Beriberi can be life threatening if it isn’t treated.

If you have access to foods rich in thiamine, your chances of developing beriberi are low. Today, in the United States, beriberi mostly occurs in people with an alcohol use disorder and may also occur as a complication of weight loss surgery.

The symptoms of beriberi vary depending on the type.

Wet beriberi symptoms include:

Dry beriberi symptoms include:

The main cause of beriberi is a diet low in thiamine. The disease is very rare in regions with access to vitamin-enriched foods, such as certain breakfast cereals and breads.

Beriberi is most common in regions of the world where the diet includes unenriched, processed white rice, which only has a tenth of the amount of thiamine as brown rice, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Other factors may cause thiamine deficiency, as well. These include:

  • alcohol misuse, which can make it hard for your body to absorb and store thiamine
  • genetic beriberi, a rare condition that prevents the body from absorbing thiamine
  • hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
  • extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
  • bariatric surgery
  • AIDS
  • prolonged diarrhea or use of diuretics (medication that makes you urinate more)
  • undergoing kidney dialysis
  • malnutrition
  • diabetes

Thiamine deficiency is also more common in the following groups:

  • people with cancer
  • people who are nursing
  • people who have restrictive diets
  • people with inflammatory bowel disease

Blood and urine tests will measure the levels of thiamine in your body.

A doctor can also perform a neurological exam to look for symptoms like lack of coordination and difficulty walking.

A physical exam can also alert a doctor to any heart problems. Rapid heartbeat, swelling of the lower legs, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of beriberi.

Beriberi is easily treated with thiamine supplements. A doctor may prescribe a thiamine shot or pill. For severe cases, a healthcare professional will administer intravenous thiamine.

Your progress will be monitored with follow-up blood tests to see how well your body is absorbing the vitamin.

To prevent beriberi, eat a nutrient-dense, balanced diet that includes foods rich in thiamine. These include:

If you give your infant formula, you should also check that it contains enough thiamine. Always be sure to purchase infant formula from a reliable source.

Limiting alcohol consumption helps reduce your risk of developing beriberi. Anyone who has an alcohol use disorder should have routine medical appointments to check for a B1 vitamin deficiency.

If beriberi is diagnosed and treated early, the outlook is good. Nerve and heart damage from beriberi is usually reversible when it’s caught in the early stages. Recovery is often quick once you begin treatment.

Maintaining a health-promoting, balanced diet is important for your health. Talk with a doctor if you think you are showing signs of a thiamine deficiency or if you need advice on how to get the nutrients you need.

Beriberi is a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. It often occurs in people with a diet that consists mostly of white rice or highly refined carbohydrates.

Increasing your intake of foods rich in Vitamin B1 can help. If your deficiency is severe, a doctor can prescribe thiamine supplements.