(also referred to as...)
Thiamin, Thiamine
Description
Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is an essential, water soluble, nutrient that requires water for absorption. Your body cannot manufacture it and thus it must be obtained through your diet on a daily basis.
Thiamin plays a number of key roles in the body. It aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose and helps produce hydrochloric acid for digestion. Vitamin B1 enhances circulation and builds blood. It helps improve brain function and cognition, and thus, may improve mental attitude and increase learning capacity. It is important for the maintenance of muscular tone in the intestines, stomach, and heart. This vitamin is also important for a healthy nervous system and normal heart function and helps prevent fatigue.
Thiamin acts as an antioxidant and protects the body from free radical damage caused by chemical absorption, alcohol intake, and smoking.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Beriberi is defined as severe B1 deficiency resulting in partial paralysis of the extremities, emaciation (thinness), and anemia. This condition is present primarily in South and East Asia, but can occur in situations of alcohol abuses. Symptoms include mental confusion, muscle wasting, fluid retention, high blood pressure, heart disturbances, and difficulty walking.
Thiamin is also beneficial for anemia, diabetes, constipation, stress, indigestion, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disturbances and diseases. It is also recommended in cases of general weakness, sore and weak muscles, and severe weight loss.
Thiamin deficiency is common among alcoholics and is often used to treat complications stemming from this condition. A number of studies have shown that thiamin directly affects the desire for alcohol and reduces cravings in those undergoing thiamin supplementation.
Source
Ideal sources of vitamin B1 include bran, brewer's yeast, egg yolk, fish, legumes, most nuts and dried fruit, oatmeal, peanuts (not a recommended source), spirulina, most vegetables, and watercress, whole wheat.
Thiamin is also available in a B-complex vitamin or as an isolated supplement.
Optimal Absorption
Excessive sugar or alcohol will destroy or limit the absorption of thiamin. Tea and coffee in large amounts will promote its excretion through the urine. Most drugs inhibit vitamin B1 absorption.
The following is a list of United States 1997-1998 Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI): Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for nutritional vitamin B1 intake and are included as a guideline only. Consult with your nutritionist, naturopath, or other health practitioner for a dosage appropriate for your needs. Children under 6 years of age should be under the supervision of the above mentioned specialists if directly supplementing with vitamin B1.
0 - 5 months, 0.2mg 6 - 11 months, 0.3mg 1 - 3, 0.5mg 4 - 8, 0.6mg 9 - 13, 0.9mg 14 - 18, 1.2mg 19 - 30, 1.2mg 31 - 50, 1.2mg 51 - 70, 1.2mg > 70, 1.2mg 9 - 13, 0.9mg 14 - 18, 1.0mg 19 - 30, 1.1mg 31 - 50, 1.1mg 51 - 70, 1.1mg > 70, 1.1mg
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Thiamin requirements increase with a high-carbohydrate diet.
There are no known contraindications.
Ailment / Situation Listing
All information contained on this website is for reference purposes only and all content should be treated as a resource. It is highly recommended that you consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner when undertaking self-treatment. For serious conditions, always seek the advice of your naturopath or other health practitioner. People taking medication should
consult with their naturopath or other health practitioner before undertaking additional regime for their ailment.
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