Final answer:
Wet beriberi is a clinical condition caused by a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1). It is characterized by symptoms such as edema, cardiovascular changes, weakness, and gastrointestinal disorders. Consuming foods rich in thiamine can help prevent this deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wet beriberi is a clinical condition caused by a deficiency in thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. It is characterized by symptoms such as edema (fluid retention), cardiovascular changes, weakness, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Thiamine deficiency impairs the utilization of carbohydrates in the body, resulting in an accumulation of pyruvate and lactate. This deficiency disease is commonly seen in areas where polished white rice is a staple food and lacks vitamin B1.
To prevent wet beriberi and other forms of thiamine deficiency, it is important to consume foods rich in thiamine, such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, pulses, beans, lentils, and various animal products like liver, eggs, fish, meat, and milk.