Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 – Thiamine is a nutrient that is required by all tissues in the body to function properly. Thiamine was the first B vitamin discovered by scientists. This is why the number 1 appears in its name. Thiamine, like the other B vitamins, is water-soluble and aids the body in the conversion of food into energy.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 – Thiamine is a nutrient that is required by all tissues in the body to function properly. Thiamine was the first B vitamin discovered by scientists. This is why the number 1 appears in its name. Thiamine, like the other B vitamins, is water-soluble and aids the body in the conversion of food into energy.
Overview
Thiamine (vitamin B1) can be found in a variety of foods and is used to treat low thiamine levels, beriberi, certain nerve diseases, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).
Our bodies require thiamine in order to properly utilise carbohydrates. It also aids in the maintenance of normal nerve function. It can be found in yeast, cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat. It’s frequently combined with other B vitamins and can be found in many vitamin B complex products.
Vitamin B1 Thiamine is used to treat conditions associated with low thiamine levels, such as beriberi and nerve inflammation (neuritis). It’s also used to treat digestive issues, diabetic nerve pain, heart disease, and other conditions, but there’s no good scientific evidence to back up these claims.
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Vitamin B1 Source
Sources of Vitamin B1 Thiamine
- Pork
- Poultry
- Peas
- Nuts
- Dried beans
- Soybeans
- Whole-grain cereals
- Lentils
- Legumes
- Bread
- Rice
- Yeast
- Individual supplements
- Multivitamins
Thiamine is added to many whole grain products, including:
- Cereal
- Bread
- Rice
- Pasta
Certain foods and dietary choices can negate the body’s use of thiamine, resulting in a deficiency. These are some examples:
- Drinking lots of coffee or tea, even decaffeinated
- Chewing tea leaves and betel nuts
- Regularly eating raw fish and shellfish
Consult your doctor before beginning a vitamin regimen, especially if you are using thiamine to treat a deficiency. For healthy adults, doctors frequently recommend B complex vitamins over individual B supplements to maintain a balance of B vitamins in your system.
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Uses & effectiveness of Vitamin B1
Effective for:
- Deficiency in Vitamin B1 thiamine. Thiamine is taken orally and aids in the prevention and treatment of thiamine deficiency.
- A brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome). Thiamine given intravenously reduces the risk and symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), which is caused by low thiamine levels. It is frequently seen in people who have an alcohol use disorder. Only a healthcare provider can administer IV products.
Possibly Effective for:
- Cramps during menstruation (dysmenorrhea). Thiamine taken orally appears to reduce menstrual pain in teenagers and young females.
Possibly Ineffective for:
- An operation to increase blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery). Giving thiamine intravenously before and after CABG surgery has no effect on surgery outcomes. Only a healthcare provider can administer IV products.
- Repellent against mosquitoes. Taking thiamine orally has no effect on mosquito repellence.
- Infection of the blood (sepsis). Giving thiamine intravenously, alone or in combination with vitamin C and the drug hydrocortisone, does not reduce the risk of death or the length of hospital stay in people with sepsis. Only a healthcare provider can administer IV products.
What happens when you don’t get it?
A thiamine deficiency can have an impact on many different bodily functions, including those of the:
- Nervous system
- Heart
- Brain
Fortunately, thiamine deficiency is rare in the developed world. In healthy adults, Vitamin B1 thiamine deficiency is uncommon. It is more common in people who have certain medical conditions. The following conditions can reduce thiamine levels:
- Alcoholism
- Crohn’s disease
- Anorexia
People who have kidney dialysis or take loop diuretics are also at risk for thiamine deficiency. Loop diuretics are used to treat congestive heart failure. They have the potential to flush thiamine out of the body, potentially negating any health benefits. Thiamine is essential for the proper functioning of the heart. People who take digoxin or phenytoin should exercise caution as well.
Vitamin B1 Thiamine deficiency can result in two serious health issues: beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Beriberi has an impact on breathing, eye movements, heart function, and alertness. It is caused by an accumulation of pyruvic acid in the bloodstream, which is a side effect of your body’s inability to convert food into fuel.
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Side Effects of Vitamin B1
If you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, contact your doctor right away:
- Blue coloured lips;
- Chest pain, feeling short of breath;
- Black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
- Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Less severe side effects could include:
- Nausea, tight feeling in your throat;
- Sweating, feeling warm;
- Mild rash or itching;
- Feeling restless; or
- Tenderness or a hard lump where a thiamine injection was given.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects; others may occur. For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor.
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If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed on this page. In the UK you can also report side effects directly to the Yellow Card Scheme By reporting side effects you can help provide vital information on the safety of this medical supplement.
Is Vitamin B1 suitable for you?
Take precautions:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding. Thiamine is probably safe when taken orally as part of a healthy diet. There is insufficient reliable data to determine whether higher doses are safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Children. Thiamine is probably safe when taken orally as part of a healthy diet. There isn’t enough reliable data to know if higher doses are safe or what the potential side effects are.
- Alcohol disorder. Thiamine levels in people with alcohol use disorder are frequently low, and they may require thiamine supplements. When thiamine levels are low, nerve pain from alcohol use disorder can worsen.
- Hemodialysis. Vitamin B1 Thiamine levels may be low in people undergoing hemodialysis treatments, necessitating the use of thiamine supplements.
- Liver disease. Thiamine deficiency is common in people with chronic liver disease, and thiamine supplements may be necessary.
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Consult your doctor
Take precautions – if you are taking any of the following medicines please consult your doctor:
It is generally safe to take thiamine alongside other medications.
However, if you’re taking fluorouracil, a cancer treatment, consult your doctor before starting on thiamine.
Fluorouracil can disrupt the way thiamine works. Your thiamine dose may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
Mixing thiamine with herbal remedies or supplements
Before taking any herbal remedies or supplements with thiamine, consult a pharmacist or doctor.
Vitamin B1 Thiamine may already be present in some vitamin and mineral supplements. Always double-check the labels.
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Vitamin B1 Dosage
Vitamin B1 Thiamine is an essential nutrient. It can be found in a wide variety of foods, including cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat.
The recommended dietary allowance is the amount that should be consumed on a daily basis (RDA). The RDA for adult males is 1 mg per day. The RDA for adult females over the age of 18 is 0.8 mg per day. The amounts recommended for children vary according to their age. Speak with your GP to determine the best dose for a specific condition.
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Other names for Vitamin B1
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