What is the most common cause of thiamine deficiency in the United States and Canada?

Thiamine deficiency, also known as vitamin B1 deficiency, is observed most frequently among individuals who engage in alcohol abuse. This is primarily due to the fact that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to poor dietary choices, resulting in inadequate intake of essential nutrients, including thiamine. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the absorption of thiamine in the intestines and impair its conversion to the active form in the liver, further exacerbating deficiency.

While dietary insufficiency can contribute to low thiamine levels, in the context of the United States and Canada, alcohol abuse is a more significant and prevalent cause. Genetic disorders and liver disease can affect thiamine metabolism and utilization, but these conditions are less common in comparison to the widespread issue of alcohol dependence, which affects a considerable number of individuals in these countries.