Chronic alcohol abusers are at risk for deficiency in which vitamin?

Chronic alcohol abusers are at risk for deficiency in which vitamin?

• A. Thiamine
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin B12

Answer: (A)

Chronic alcohol use disrupts intake, absorption, storage, and utilization of thiamine (vitamin B1), making deficiency common in these individuals. Thiamine is a critical cofactor for enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism and for neural function; when it’s lacking, neural tissues don’t get enough energy, which can lead to confusion, ataxia, and eye movement abnormalities known as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, with risk of progression to Korsakoff syndrome if untreated. Because of these serious neurologic consequences, thiamine deficiency is the vitamin most closely linked to chronic alcohol abuse, and prevention or treatment focuses on restoring thiamine levels promptly. The other vitamins listed are associated with different deficiency patterns (for example, vitamin C with scurvy, vitamin D with bone health issues, and vitamin B12 with anemia and neuropathy) and are less specifically tied to alcohol-related risk.

Chronic alcohol use disrupts intake, absorption, storage, and utilization of thiamine (vitamin B1), making deficiency common in these individuals. Thiamine is a critical cofactor for enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism and for neural function; when it’s lacking, neural tissues don’t get enough energy, which can lead to confusion, ataxia, and eye movement abnormalities known as Wernicke’s encephalopathy, with risk of progression to Korsakoff syndrome if untreated. Because of these serious neurologic consequences, thiamine deficiency is the vitamin most closely linked to chronic alcohol abuse, and prevention or treatment focuses on restoring thiamine levels promptly. The other vitamins listed are associated with different deficiency patterns (for example, vitamin C with scurvy, vitamin D with bone health issues, and vitamin B12 with anemia and neuropathy) and are less specifically tied to alcohol-related risk.