Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Benefits,Uses, Side Effects, and More

April 10, 2023

Overview Of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. Thiamin plays a vital role in the growth and function of various cells. thiamin is essential for glucose metabolism and nerve, muscle, and heart function. Thiamin is found in foods such as yeast, cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat. It’s often used in combination with other B vitamins and is found in many vitamin B complex products.

Vitamin B complexes

Vitamin B complexes generally include vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin/niacinamide), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), and folic acid. However, some products do not contain all of these ingredients, and some may include others, such as biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), choline bitartrate, and inositol. Humans store thiamin primarily in the liver, but in very small amounts. The vitamin has a short half-life, so people require a continuous supply of it from their diet.

Thiamin deficiency

Thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency occurs if the recommended daily intake (RDI) is not maintained. However, deficiency may also occur due to impaired intestinal absorption or high excretion rates, such as:

People with alcohol dependency
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Diabetes,
Post-bariatric surgery,
Malignant disease,
Gastrointestinal disease,
Pregnancy & lactation,
Fasting, starvation, use of unbalanced diets,
Hyperthyroidism,
Renal failure on hemodialysis
Systemic infections.

More severe or long-term thiamine deficiency may cause complications, including conditions called Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Benefits of thiamine

Boosts energy production. When sugar mixes with vitamin B1, it becomes energy for your body to use. B1 helps make this process faster while supporting the other enzymes.

Reduces the effects of sepsis. Sepsis, a severe response to an infection, can become fatal if your vitamin B1 levels are low. Along with vitamin C, thiamine can reduce the effects of sepsis. It can also lower the risk of kidney failure that often results from the infection.

Helps fight depression. Taking vitamin B1 supplements along with an antidepressant is good for depression. Vitamin B1 helps ease symptoms faster while stabilizing your mood. Lack of vitamin B1 has also been linked to low moods.

Good for diabetes. If you have diabetes, think about getting more thiamine. Studies show that high blood sugar and insulin levels improve after taking vitamin B1 for 6 weeks. B1 also helps reduce high blood pressure and heart complications in people with diabetes.

Prevents kidney and circulation problems. A dose of vitamins B1 and B12 (Methylcobalamin) can help improve nerve pain in people with diabetes and may reduce the need for painkillers.

Minimizes the risk of heart disease. Thiamine is key to the production of acetylcholine. This is the element that helps your body pass messages between its nerves and muscles. Without this communication, your heart wouldn’t work the way it should. Lack of vitamin B1 is one reason for uneven cardiac function.‌

Improves memory. Getting enough thiamine can help improve concentration and memory. Because of its positive effect on attitude and brain function, it is also known as a “morale vitamin”.

What is Thiamine (Vitamin B1) used for?

All B vitamins are water-soluble. They help to convert carbohydrates, fats, and protein into energy, or glucose. B vitamins are necessary for keeping the liver, skin, hair, and eyes healthy. The B vitamins are sometimes called anti-stress vitamins because they boost the body’s immune system in times of stress.

Vitamin B1, or thiamin, helps prevent complications in the nervous system, brain, muscles, heart, stomach, and intestines. It is also involved in the flow of electrolytes into and out of muscle and nerve cells.

It helps prevent diseases such as beriberi, which involves disorders of the heart, nerves, and digestive system.

What is the most important information you should know about Thiamine (Vitamin B1)?

Thiamin is destroyed with high-heat cooking or long cooking times. It also leaches into the water and will be lost in any cooking or soaking water that is thrown out. It may also be removed during food processing, such as with refined white bread and rice.

Interactions

Tea and coffee contain tannins, chemicals that may interact with thiamin, making it harder to absorb.

Some of the chemicals in raw shellfish and fish can destroy thiamin, potentially leading to a deficiency if eaten in large quantities. there is some evidence that the drugs furosemide and fluorouracil could cause the body to lose too much thiamine. Healthcare providers may recommend a supplement to people taking those drugs.

What are the side effects of taking vitamin B1?

Thiamine doesn’t stay in the body for long, which is one reason deficiencies occur. Thiamine is generally safe. Very high doses may cause stomach upset.

-Does vitamin B1 raise blood pressure?

High-dose thiamine supplementation may have beneficial effects on the blood pressure of individuals with hyperglycemia at early stages and may have a role in the prevention of further vascular complications.

– How does vitamin B1 affect the heart?

Thiamine plays a crucial role in normal cardiac function since severe thiamine deficiency leads to congestive heart failure (wet Beriberi). Consequently, patients undergoing diuretic treatment might have compromised heart function. Thiamine deficiency (wet beriberi) affects the cardiovascular system, resulting in a fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and leg swelling. thiamine helps to lower homocysteine levels, which is another risk factor for heart disease.

The authors of a systematic literature review and meta-analysis found two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of thiamin supplementation in people with heart failure that met their eligibility criteria. In these trials, thiamin supplements significantly improved the net change in left ventricular ejection fraction. The authors did not assess the clinical significance of this finding, however.

-Can B1 deficiency cause high blood pressure?

Wet beriberi-induced acute severe pulmonary hypertension has rarely been previously described. In such cases, there’s a dramatic improvement after thiamine treatment.

– vitamin B1 Dosage

Table 1: Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Thiamin [7]

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
Birth to 6 months*	0.2 mg	0.2 mg
7–12 months*	0.3 mg	0.3 mg
1–3 years	0.5 mg	0.5 mg
4–8 years	0.6 mg	0.6 mg
9–13 years	0.9 mg	0.9 mg
14–18 years	1.2 mg	1.0 mg	1.4 mg	1.4 mg
19-50 years	1.2 mg	1.1 mg	1.4 mg	1.4 mg
51+ years	1.2 mg	1.1 mg

Doctors determine the appropriate doses for conditions like Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Doctors give thiamine intravenously for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

– Can you take B1 every day?

The usual dose for adults is between 25mg and 100mg, taken once a day.

– Should You take B1 in the morning or at night?

When using thiamine at this dose timing does not matter much and either one dose can be taken in the morning or multiple doses throughout; thiamine does not need to be ingested with food to be absorbed.

– How Do You Get The Best Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Online?

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

B-complex vitamins have a synergistic role in supporting energy production, immune health, cardiovascular health, and neurological health.

Adequate B vitamin intake is essential for maintaining energy levels and additional intake is often needed by those with high levels of stress.

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Providing adequate B vitamin levels are essential for maintaining energy levels and additional intake is often needed by those with high levels of stress.

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