Beriberi is associated with which vitamin deficiency?

Beriberi is specifically associated with a deficiency in Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamine. Thiamine is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and is crucial for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It plays a vital role in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy through its involvement in enzyme complexes that facilitate the decarboxylation of pyruvate and the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids.

Deficiencies in thiamine can lead to several health issues, primarily affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In the case of beriberi, there are two main forms: wet beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system and can lead to edema and heart failure, and dry beriberi, which impacts the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and neurological symptoms.

While other vitamins you might consider are important for various metabolic processes, none are directly linked to the pathology of beriberi, making thiamine the clear and correct choice in this context.