Thiamine-pyrophosphate functions as a coenzyme for cocarboxylase which is intimately involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In habitual Indian diets, cereals form the major source of thiamine. In the rice eating population, this is the single most important dietary article which provides thiamine. Deficiency of thiamine if prolonged leads to beriberi. Thiamine requirement is closely linked with energy intake (0.5 mg/1000 cal) and where there is energy deficiency, a deficiency of thiamine may not show up despite dietary deficiency of the vitamin. Thiamine allowances (mg/day) for various age groups are given in Table.