Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

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Vitamin B1 aka thiamine may improve treatment with tricyclic antidepressants. Thiamine may also help in treating Alzheimer's Disease. Learn about the usage, dosage, side-effects of vitamin B1.

Overview

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy.

These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, are essential in the breakdown of fats and protein. B complex vitamins also play an important role in maintaining muscle tone along the wall of the digestive tract and promoting the health of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.

Similar to some other B complex vitamins, thiamine is considered an "anti-stress vitaimin" because it is believed to enhance the activity of the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions.

Thiamine is found in both plants and animals and plays a crucial role in certain metabolic reactions, particularly, as mentioned, the conversion of carbohydrates (starches) into energy. For example, thiamine is essential during exercise, when energy expenditure is high.

Thiamine deficiency is rare, but tends to occur in people who get most of their calories from sugar or alcohol. Individuals with thiamine deficiency have difficulty digesting carbohydrates. As a result, a substance called pyruvic acid builds up in the bloodstream, causing a loss of mental alertness, difficulty breathing, and heart damage. In general, thiamine supplements are primarily used to treat this deficiency known as beriberi.

Vitamin B1 Uses

Beriberi
The most important use of thiamine is in the treatment of beriberi, a condition caused by a deficiency of thiamine in the diet. Symptoms include swelling, tingling or burning sensation in the hands and feet, confusion, difficulty breathing (from fluid in the lungs), and uncontrolled eye movements (called nystagmus).

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Replacing thiamine alleviates the symptoms of this syndrome. Wernicke-Korsakoff is actually two disorders in one: (1) Wernicke's disease involves damage to nerves in the central and peripheral nervous systems and is generally caused by malnutrition (particularly a lack of thiamine) associated with habitual alcohol abuse, and (2) Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by memory impairment with various symptoms of nerve damage. High doses of thiamine can improve muscle incoordination and confusion associated with this disease, but only rarely improves the memory loss.

Cataracts
Dietary and supplemental vitamin B2, along with other nutrients, is important for normal vision and prevention of cataracts (damage to the lens of the eye which can lead to cloudy vision). In fact, people with plenty of protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3 (niacin) in their diet are less likely to develop cataracts. Plus, taking additional supplements of vitamins C, E, and B complex (particularly the B1, B2, B9 [folic acid], and B12 [cobalamin] in the complex ) may further protect the lens of your eyes from developing cataracts.

Burns
It is especially important for people who have sustained serious burns to obtain adequate amounts of nutrients in their daily diet. When skin is burned, a substantial percentage of micronutrients may be lost. This increases the risk for infection, slows the healing process, prolongs the hospital stay, and even increases the risk of death. Although it is unclear which micronutrients are most beneficial for people with burns, many studies suggest that a multivitamin including the B complex vitamins may aid in the recovery process.

Heart failure
Thiamine may be related to heart failure in two ways. First, low levels of thiamine may contribute to the development of congestive heart failure (CHF). On the flip side, people with severe heart failure can lose a significant amount of weight including muscle mass (called wasting or cachexia) and become deficient in many nutrients. It is not known whether taking thiamine supplements would have any bearing on the development or progression of CHF and cachexia. Eating a balanced diet, including thiamine, and avoiding things that deplete this nutrient, such as high amounts of sugar and alcohol, seems prudent, particularly for those at the early stages of CHF.

Other - Alzheimer's Disease
Some scientists have speculated that thiamine may have some benefit in treating Alzheimer's Disease. This theory is based on the effects that this nutrient has on the brain and the symptoms that people develop when deficient in thiamine. The studies on this subject to date are limited in number and inconclusive, however. Much more research would be needed before anything could be said regarding a possible use for thiamine in treating Alzheimer's Disease.