Question

Beriberi occurs due to deficiency of

• A. Vitamin B1
• B. Vitamin B2
• C. Vitamin B3
• D. Vitamin B6

Hint:

Many diseases are caused by the lack of a specific vitamin. Knowing the vitamin–deficiency disease pairs is essential, and beriberi is a classic example.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:
Many diseases are caused by the lack of a specific vitamin. Knowing the vitamin–deficiency disease pairs is essential, and beriberi is a classic example.

Step 1:
Beriberi is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1, also called thiamine. It mainly affects the nerves (dry beriberi) and the heart (wet beriberi).

Step 2:
Thiamine is needed as a coenzyme (thiamine pyrophosphate) for carbohydrate metabolism, especially in nerves, which is why its lack leads to nerve and heart problems.

Step 3:
The distractors cause different diseases: B2 lack causes cheilosis/glossitis, B3 (niacin) lack causes pellagra, and B6 lack causes anaemia and neuropathy — not beriberi.

Answer: Option (1) — Vitamin B1.