Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Information
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Benefits
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Vitamin B1 also called Thiamine is a water-soluble
organic compound that is a necessary part of our diet. Vitamin B1
prevents beriberi, a disease characterized by multiple neuritis
(lesions of nerves), general debility, and painful rigidity.
Thiamine was the first vitamin to be isolated in pure form (in 1926).
Its structure was determined and synthesized in 1936. Thiamine plays
an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It carries out these
functions in its active form, as a component of the coenzyme thiamine
pyrophosphate.
Thiamine aids the nervous system and is essential for the functioning
of important enzymes. These enzymes have vital roles in the processes
that make energy available in the body. Thiamine is essential for
the transmission of certain types of nerve signal between the brain
and the spinal cord. Depression, poor memory, muscle weakness and
stiffness, nerve tingling, burning sensation and numbness, tiredness,
headache, loss of appetite and nausea are some of the symptoms and
signs of its deficiency.
Your body uses Vitamin B1 to process fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Every one of our cells needs thiamine to make adenosine triphosphate,
or ATP, which is the body's main energy-carrying molecule. The heart,
in particular, has considerable need for thiamine in order to keep
up its constant work.
Beriberi was common among sailors through the nineteenth century,
but is rare today. Beriberi is still seen, however, in developing
countries as well as in alcoholics and people with diseases that
significantly impair the body's ability to absorb vitamin B1. Many
of the principal symptoms of beriberi relate to impaired heart function.
We all need to take Thiamine on a daily and regular basis. Older
people (over 55 years of age), those who consume large amounts of
alcohol or have busy or stressful lives, and athletes need to take
even more Thiamine. So do people of all ages whose diets are restricted
or of poor quality.
A decline in vitamin B1 levels occurs with age, irrespective of
medical condition.1 Deficiency is also commonly found in people
with malabsorption conditions, children with congenital heart disease,
persons with chronic fatigue syndrome, and those individuals undergoing
regular kidney dialysis. Such persons may develop severe vitamin
B1 deficiency, which can result in potentially fatal complications.
Persons receiving dialysis should discuss the need for vitamin B1
supplementation with their physician.
Alcoholism, congestive heart failure, Crohn's disease, anorexia,
kidney dialysis, folate deficiency, and multiple sclerosis may all
lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency, and people with these conditions
should consider taking B1 supplements. Certain foods may impair
your body's absorption of B1 as well, including fish, clams, shrimp,
mussels, and the herb horsetail.
While the ideal intake is uncertain, one study reported the healthiest
people consumed more than 9 mg per day. The amount found in many
multivitamin supplements (20–25 mg) is more than adequate for most
people. Vitamin B1 is nontoxic, even in very high amounts. Very
high dosages of B1, up to 8 g daily, are recommended for a variety
of conditions.
Thiamine is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition
in which the pumping ability of the heart declines and fluid begins
to accumulate in the lungs and legs. Standard treatment for CHF
includes strong "water pills" known as loop diuretics.
These diuretics, however, deplete the body of Vitamin B1. Because
the heart depends on vitamin B1 for its proper function, this is
potentially quite worrisome. There is some evidence that supplementation
with B1 can improve symptoms, particuarly for those taking diuretics.
Individuals with alcoholism, Crohn's disease, anorexia, or multiple
sclerosis may also benefit from thiamin supplementation as part
of general nutritional support.
Korsakoff's syndrome is a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (or thiamine)
which causes cardiovascular, central and peripheral nervous system
disturbances. The disease results from either inadequate dietary
intake or from impaired absorption or utilization of vitamin B1.
It is common in the Orient where excessive milling of rice reduces
its thiamine content and also in chronic alcoholics.
Vitamin B1 used as part of the treatment for this condition, which
is characterized by severe memory impairment. It is, however, preferable
to start using Thiamine supplements if you are an alcoholic, before
Korsakoff’s syndrome sets in because it might just be too late by
then.
In addition, vitamin B1 may be helpful for Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B1 has also been proposed as a treatment for epilepsy, canker
sores, and fibromyalgia. Vitamin B1 appears to be quite safe even
when taken in very high doses. Thiamine is in the FDA pregnancy
category A. This means that thiamine is considered to be safe for
use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking thiamine
if you are pregnant. It is not known whether thiamine passes into
breast milk. Do not take thiamine without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding. There are no restrictions on food,
beverages, or activities while taking thiamine.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
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