Discuss the State of Thiamine Intakes in Canadians

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is According to data gathered by the Canadian Community Health Survey from 2004 to 2005, the average adult Canadian is obtaining at least the RDA for thiamine.
Older adults are at risk for low thiamine intakes if they have a reduced total energy intake.
Those with medical conditions that result in malabsorption of nutrients and those on renal dialysis are also at risk for low thiamine.
Athletes also need to consider their thiamine intakes as exercise may increase thiamine requirements.
Individuals with chronic heavy alcohol consumption and limited food intake are also at risk for a thiamine deficiency.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is the name for alcohol related thiamine deficiency.
Alcohol affects thiamine because excessive alcohol is often associated with a poor diet, there is an increased need for thiamine to metabolize the alcohol, and alcohol reduces thiamine absorption.
People with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome experience tremors, confusion, and memory impairment.
A thiamine deficiency can also cause beriberi. Beriberi can come in two forms. Wet beriberi can result in heart failure. Dry beriberi can causes muscle wasting and nerve damage, thereby, leading to paralysis.
Most Canadians have adequate intakes of thiamine and no interventions are required. Those populations at high risk should be educated on the importance of thiamine and the foods that are high in thiamine. Health care providers should be educated on the risks for low thiamine and the signs and symptoms of low thiamine so they can identify and treat any deficiencies and deficiency associated diseases.

Discuss the State of Thiamine Intakes in Canadians

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