Thiamine, also called vitamin B1 or thiamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. It is found in many foods including yeast, cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat. Thiamin helps the body's cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Thiamine also help the body metabolize fats and protein, and is needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. It also help the nervous system function properly, and is needed for good brain function.
Like other B complex vitamins, thiamine is sometimes called an "anti-stress" vitamin because it may strengthen the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions. In fact, thiamine is so important to a healthy mental state, it has been called the "morale vitamin". It is named B1 because it was the first B vitamin discovered.
Like all B vitamins, thiamine is water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.
Thiamine is found in both plants and animals and plays a crucial role in certain metabolic reactions. Your body needs it to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which every cell of the body uses for energy.
People take thiamine for conditions related to low levels of thiamine (thiamine deficiency syndromes), including beriberi and inflammation of the nerves outside the brain (peripheral neuritis) associated with pregnancy or with a vitamin-deficiency disease called pellagra.
Thiamine is also used for digestive problems including poor appetite, ulcerative colitis, and ongoing diarrhea.
Thiamine is also used for AIDS and boosting the immune system, diabetic pain, heart disease, alcoholism, aging, a type of brain damage called cerebellar syndrome, canker sores, vision problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, motion sickness, and improving athletic performance. Other uses include preventing cervical cancer and progression of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Some people use thiamine for maintaining a positive mental attitude; enhancing learning abilities; increasing energy; fighting stress; and preventing memory loss, including Alzheimer's disease.
Healthcare providers give thiamine shots for a memory disorder called Wernicke's encephalopathy syndrome, other thiamin
Thiamine helps in many important body functions and some of its benefits includes:
Involved in the energy production: Sugar is the principal source of energy in your body where it is oxidized to form usable form of energy in the presence of vitamin B1. It is part of a complex enzyme system called the pyruvate dehydrogenase system, which helps in the oxidation of sugar. Thiamine is required for the functioning of this enzyme system, which releases energy for the normal functions of the body.
Helps in the development of myelin sheaths: Thiamine helps in the proper development of myelin sheaths around nerves. Deficiency of thiamine, might result in the degeneration of these coverings, which might result in nerve death and damage.
Ensures proper cardiac function: This vitamin helps in the production of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, which is used to relay messages between the nerves and muscles and to ensure proper cardiac function. Thiamine deficiency can thus result in irregular cardiac functions. People suffering from congestive heart failure, when administered thiamine intravenously for seven days, showed considerable improvements in their echocardiograms, which proves that thiamine, can prevent heart disease.
Prevents cataracts: When used along with other essential nutrients, thiamine can stall the occurrence of cataracts.
Reduces the effects of aging: It is a powerful anti-oxidant, which helps you from the ill effects of aging.
Ensures proper digestion: It helps in the secretion of hydrochloric acids, which is essential for the complete digestion of food particles.
Prevents Alzheimer's disease: Thiamine is thought to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Persons suffering from this disease condition have benefited when vitamin B1 supplements of 100 mg per day were administered. However, there are placebo-controlled trial studies till now to authenticate this claim.
Improves memory: Thiamine can improve your memory and concentration. It is also used in the management of many nervous disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Bell's palsy among others. In fact, vitamin B1 or thiamine is better known as "morale vitamin" for its positive impact on the nervous system and a healthy mental attitude.
Helps in the production of red blood cells: Thiamine has an important role in the production of RBC, which in turn keeps the person healthy and active.
Restores deficiencies caused by alcoholism: Vitamin B1 can even off the deficiencies caused by cirrhosis, infections, hyperthyroidism or alcoholism.
Improves appetite: It can significantly improve appetite and mental alertness
The most important use of thiamine is to treat beriberi, which is caused by not getting enough thiamine in your diet. Symptoms include swelling, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands and feet, confusion, trouble breathing because of fluid in the lungs, and uncontrolled eye movements called nystagmus. People in the developed world usually don't get beriberi because foods such as cereals and breads are fortified with vitamin B1.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Wernicke-Korsakoff is actually two disorders: Wernicke's disease involves damage to nerves in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is often caused by malnutrition due to alcoholism. Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by memory problems and nerve damage. High doses of thiamine can improve muscle coordination and confusion, but rarely improves memory loss.
Preliminary evidence suggests that thiamine -- along with other nutrients -- may lower risk of developing cataracts. People with plenty of protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3 or niacin in their diet are less likely to develop cataracts. Getting enough vitamins C, E, and B complex vitamins -- particularly B1, B2, B9 or folic acid, and B12 -- may further protect the lens of your eyes from developing cataracts. More research is needed.
Lack of thiamine can cause dementia in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. So researchers have speculated that thiamine might help Alzheimer's disease. Scientific studies have not always shown any benefit from thiamine, however. More research is needed before thiamine can be proposed as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Thiamine may be related to heart failure because many people with heart failure take diuretics (water pills), which help rid the body of excess fluid. But diuretics may also cause the body to get rid of too much thiamine. A few small studies suggest that taking thiamine supplements may help. A multivitamin, taken regularly, should provide enough thiamine.
Thiamine deficiency (beriberi) results when your body does not have enough of the vitamin thiamine. Your body requires thiamine to help it break down different types of sugar. Without enough thiamine, you may experience a variety of symptoms that can be serious. Because many foods are supplemented with thiamine, thiamine deficiency is rare in the United States. However, thiamine deficiency is possible in some people with rare genetic conditions, in people who eat very unbalanced diets, in alcoholics, and in some people with kidney disease.
A lack or deficiency of thiamin can cause weakness, fatigue, psychosis, and nerve damage. It's rare to be deficient in thiamine, although alcoholics, people with Crohn's disease, anorexia, and those undergoing kidney dialysis may be deficient. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency are fatigue, irritability, depression and abdominal discomfort. People with thiamine deficiency also have trouble digesting carbohydrates. That allows a substance called pyruvic acid to build up in their bloodstream, causing a loss of mental alertness, difficulty breathing, and heart damage, a disease known as beriberi.
In severe thiamin deficiency, brain damage can occur. One type is called Korsakoff syndrome. The other is Wernicke's disease. Either or both of these conditions can occur in the same person.
Other symptoms of thiamine deficiency may include:
Loss of Appetite
Poor Digestion
Chronic Constipation
Loss of Weight
Mental Depression
Nervous Exhaustion
Insomnia
Muscular Weakness
Leg Cramps
Slow Heartbeat
Irritability
Stomach and Digestive Disorders
Thiamin deficiency in the United States is most often seen in people who abuse alcohol (alcoholism). A lot of alcohol makes it hard for the body to absorb thiamin from foods. Unless those with alcoholism receive higher-than-normal amounts of thiamin to make up for the difference, the body will not get enough of the substance. This can lead to a disease called beriberi.
Other causes of thiamine deficiency may include:
Cancer Patients treating with DCA
Crash Dieting
Liver Disfunction
Kidney Dialysis
Consumption of sweets, soft drinks, processed foods
Sustained periods of IV nutrients
Carbohydrate Heavy Diet
The only treatment for thiamine deficiency is thiamine supplementation and changes to any underlying dietary habits that may have caused the deficiency (see "Thiamine Dosing"). Thiamine supplementation can be given orally or by injection, depending on the type and cause of thiamine deficiency you have.
If identified early and treated promptly, most symptoms associated with thiamine deficiency should resolve. People who have thiamine deficiency should receive long-term monitoring of their thiamine levels to ensure that the deficiency does not return.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For adults with somewhat low levels of thiamine in their body (mild thiamine deficiency): the usual dose of thiamine is 5-30 mg daily in either a single dose or divided doses for one month. The typical dose for severe deficiency can be up to 300 mg per day.
For reducing the risk of getting cataracts: a daily dietary intake of approximately 10 mg of thiamine.
BY INJECTION:
Healthcare providers give thiamine shots for treating and preventing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome).
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B1 according to the National Academy of Sciences are listed below.
Pediatric
Newborns - 6 months: 0.2 mg (adequate intake)
Infants 7 months - 1 year: 0.3 mg (adequate intake)
Children 1 - 3 years: 0.5 mg (RDA)
Children 4 - 8 years: 0.6 mg (RDA)
Children 9 - 13 years: 0.9 mg (RDA)
Men 14 - 18 years: 1.2 mg (RDA)
Women 14 - 18 years: 1 mg (RDA)
Adult
Men 19 years and older: 1.2 mg (RDA)
Women 19 years and older: 1.1 mg (RDA)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women: 1.4 mg (RDA)
Doses for conditions like beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are determined by a doctor. For Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, thiamine is given intravenously.
A daily dose of 50 - 100 mg is often taken as a supplement. Thiamine appears safe even these doses but you should talk to your doctor before taking a large amount.
Most foods contain small amounts of thiamine. Asparagus is an excellent source of thiamine. Very good sources of thiamine include crimini mushrooms, spinach, flaxseeds, tuna, green peas, and Brussels sprouts. Large amounts can also be found in pork and organ meats. Other good dietary sources of thiamine include whole-grain or enriched cereals and rice, legumes, wheat germ, bran, brewer's yeast, and blackstrap molasses.
Thiamin is also found in:
Dried milk
Egg
Enriched bread and flour
Lean meats
Nuts and seeds
Peas
Dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are not very high in thiamin, but when eaten in large amounts, they become a significant source.
Vitamin B1 can be found in multivitamins (including children's chewable and liquid drops), B complex vitamins, or if can be sold individually. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, softgels, and lozenges. It may also be labeled as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate.
Should you consider taking supplemental B1? Well, consider this: Foods containing thiamin lose a good deal of their nutritional value if they are refrigerated, and sulfites (preservatives added to prepared foods in restaurants) also destroy thiamin in food. If you are relying on convenience foods or trips to the salad bar to supply you with the RDA of thiamin, you should think of taking a vitamin B1 supplement.
Also, if you drink a lot of coffee or tea, you will benefit from supplementation, as caffeine drinks act as a diuretic; these beverages cause both water and water-soluble vitamins (such as thiamin) to be eliminated from the body more quickly.
Both smoking and alcohol consumption also interfere with thiamin absorption.
Furthermore, absorption of thiamin is entirely dependent upon getting enough vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid. For this reason, taking a well-balanced Vitamin B complex supplement makes perfect sense.
Thiamine is generally safe. Very high doses may cause stomach upset.
Symptoms of a thiamine overdose may include:
a feeling of warmth;
weakness;
sweating;
nausea;
restlessness;
difficulty breathing;
tightness of the throat;
bluish colored skin;
and death
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:
hives;
difficult breathing;
closing of the throat;
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
blue colored lips;
chest pain, feeling short of breath;
black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, tight feeling in your throat;
sweating, feeling warm;
mild rash or itching;
feeling weak;
feeling restless; or
tenderness or a hard lump where a thiamine injection was given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Thiamine is SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts, although rare allergic reactions and skin irritation have occurred. It is also LIKELY SAFE when given appropriately intravenously (by IV) by a healthcare provider. Thiamine shots are an FDA-approved prescription product.
Thiamine is in the FDA pregnancy category A. This means that thiamine is considered to be safe for use during pregnancy when taken in the recommended amount of 1.4 mg daily. Not enough is known about the safety of using larger amounts during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Do not take thiamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Thiamine might not properly enter the body in some people who have liver problems, drink a lot of alcohol, or have other conditions.
Taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B complex vitamin, which includes all the B vitamins.
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking thiamine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
It is not known whether other drugs will interact with thiamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements.
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin B1 without first talking to your health care provider.
Digoxin -- Laboratory studies suggest that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions, may reduce the ability of heart cells to absorb and use vitamin B1. This may be particularly true when digoxin is combined with furosemide (Lasix, a loop diuretic).
Diuretics (water pills) -- Diuretics, particularly furosemide (Lasix), which belongs to a class called loop diuretics, may reduce levels of vitamin B1 in the body. It's possible that other diuretics may have the same effect. If you take a diuretic, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) -- Some evidence suggests that some people taking phenytoin have lower levels of thiamine in their blood, and that may contribute to the side effects of the drug. However, that is not true of all people who take phenytoin. If you take phenytoin, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.
The following reviews have been selected:
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great vitamin!, November 26, 2011
By
annaver (CA)
I feel very happy using this vitamin! Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting high or something, but this vitamin makes me feel more energized and refreshed than before. I tested myself going on this vitamin for 2weeks, off 2 weeks, on again... I'm more easy-going and not asking for a nap in the afternoon when I'm on my B-1. Easy to swallow, no bad after taste
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good stuff, July 16, 2007
From Indiana
Little known fact that B-1 can successfully be used to greatly help anxiety and panic. Anxiety and panic has been shown to be caused by a sensitivity to lactic acid and B-1 does wonders at lowering lactic acid levels. But the key is to take mega doses of 1500mgs or more per day.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars July 14, 2009
From New York
I have Hashimoto's i.e. hypothyroidism which is accompanied by low stomach acid. B1 helps with formation of stomach acid. I feel less tired since I've been taking B1 daily.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars June 17, 2010
From Switzerland
For a week, I took ... B1 tablets in dosages of 1/2 tablet, i.e. 50 mg per day; I am now taking them in dosages of 1/4 tablet, i.e. 25 mgs per day for ankle edema and peripheral neuropathy in my feet related to thiamine deficiency. Correcting thiamine deficiency orally takes some weeks; however, both my edema and my foot pain are significantly improved. I will continue to take them long-term to avoid recurrence.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars B1 taken with Benfotiamine (B1) works a treat !, December 11, 2010
From Great Britain
I take this B1 (water soluble) together more importantly, with Benfotiamine(fat soluble B1) for years and it really does work ! I am a type 2 diabetes sufferer with all the usual complications including kidney and nerve damage. I can definately say that it helps tremendously with my peripheral neuropathy. no more tingling, numbness, burning feeling with the hands and feet.Also read R&D university Reports that it may also help with diabetic kidney damage. I take 3xBenfotiamine and 2xB1 a day. It works for me !
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