Thiamine Deficiency Disease, Dysautonomia, and High Calorie Malnutrition

Book excerpt: Thiamine Deficiency Disease, Dysautonomia, and High Calorie Malnutrition explores thiamine and how its deficiency affects the functions of the brainstem and autonomic nervous system by way of metabolic changes at the level of the mitochondria. Thiamine deficiency derails mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and gives rise to the classic disease of beriberi that, in its early stages, can be considered the prototype for a set of disorders that we now recognize as dysautonomia. This book represents the life’s work of the senior author, Dr. Derrick Lonsdale, and a recent collaboration with his co-author Dr. Chandler Marrs. Presents clinical experience and animal research that have answered questions about thiamine chemistry Demonstrates that the consumption of empty calories can result in clinical effects that lead to misdiagnosis Addresses the biochemical changes induced by vitamin deficiency, particularly that of thiamine