THE EFFECTS OF A DIET DEFICIENT IN THE VITAMIN B COMPLEX ON SEDENTARY MEN

Abstract

Seven healthy physicians subsisted on a diet deficient in the vit. B complex, but adequate in calories and in proteins, for periods up to 4 wks., then added brewers'' yeast to this diet for 2 wks., and finally reverted to a normal diet. Deficiency, at least of thiamine, within 4 wks. was demonstrated by analysis of the daily thiamine output and by the rate of excretion of test doses. The symptoms were mild and vague, the most constant being easy fatigue, loss of ambition and of efficiency in daily work. There was moderate deterioration of physical fitness for exhausting exercise, and, particularly, poor recuperation between repeated bouts of exhausting exercise. The above changes were the only regular findings, and were all reversed by addition of brewers'' yeast to the diet. All other metabolic measurements showed slight abnormal changes or none at all in rest, moderate exercise, exhausting exercise and after exhausting exercise. These measurements were O2 consumption, CO2 excretion, blood lactate, pyruvate, and sugar, and urine lactate and pyruvate. The cardiovascular changes were inconstant. There was never a tachycardia on exertion. On the contrary, heart rates tended to be abnormally slow in moderate and in exhausting exercise. There were no abnormal changes in the blood pressure. In only 1 subject did the electrocardiograph show significant changes. It is emphasized that under the conditions of these expts. only the amts. of vits. found in the urine, and symptoms and signs suggesting deterioration of the efficiency of the whole organism can be relied on to detect early deficiency. Symptoms and signs that are cleared up by adm. of brewers'' yeast in adequate amts. are suggestive of deficiency in the B complex. These findings on sedentary subjects are contrasted with rapid and striking effects of vit. B complex deficiency in men doing daily hard work.