Vitamin B1 Thiamine Benefits.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin). This is known as the “anti-stress vitamin,” as it works to protect the immune system. It also helps to create new cells in the body. It’s vital in carb-loading cases because it helps break down simple carbohydrates.
Vitamin B1 Food Sources.
You can find vitamin B1 in wheat germ, beans, whole grains, kale, peanuts, spinach, and blackstrap molasses.
Vitamin B1 Deficiency.
A vitamin B1 deficiency affects the brain, nervous system, and heart, though it’s fairly uncommon in developed countries. Conditions that impair vitamin B1 levels include anorexia, alcoholism, Crohn’s disease, those taking loop diuretics, or patients on kidney dialysis.
There are two major health issues that the deficiency can cause: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and beriberi.
The former are two different disorders, with Wernicke’s causing mental decline, a loss of muscle coordination, visual impairments, and effects on the nervous system. If it is not treated, it results in Korsakoff syndrome, which permanently impairs the brain’s memory functions.
Beriberi affects alertness, breathing, heart function, and eye movements. The disease is a result of pyruvic acid building in the bloodstream; this is an effect of the body’s failing to convert food to fuel.
Both of these diseases can be treated with thiamine supplements or injections. However, it cannot repair the permanent damage Korsakoff syndrome does to memory.
The daily-recommended allowance from the National Academy of Sciences is as follows:
- Men aged 19 and older 1.2 mg
- Women aged 19 and older 1.1 mg
- Breastfeeding or pregnant women – 1.4 mg
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