Vitamin B1

PubMed lists 16,004 studies on the effects of thiamine. Advances in Nutrition discusses thiamine’s role in protecting against dementia, along with the other B vitamins and in conjunction with vitamins C and E. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy recommends thiamine supplementation to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. A study in Congestive Heart Failure links thiamine to improvements in cardiac function, weight loss, urine output, and the symptoms of heart failure. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine found a strong link between thiamine supplementation and improvements in cluster headaches. Thiamine also plays a central role in the production of RNA and DNA14, improves cognitive performance in individuals with Alzheimer’s, reduces cell proliferation in breast cancer, and protects against pulmonary hypertension.

The human body requires 13 different vitamins to thrive and function properly. One of the most important groups of vitamins that help support this purpose are B vitamins, which consists of eight members: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12.¹

B vitamins are important because they help with cognitive function, nervous system and brain health, as well as red blood cell formation. However, one B vitamin, thiamine (B1), arguably plays the biggest role in your everyday lives.²

According to the Mayo Clinic, thiamine supports important tasks such as the flow of electrolytes in and out of the nerve and muscle cells, as well as metabolizing the carbohydrates and lipids found in food.³ Essentially, it helps convert the food you eat into energy, with special attention on the brain and nervous system.⁴ It exists in different forms depending on the function:

• Thiamine hydrochloride: The salt structure of thiamine.⁵
• Thiamine pyrophosphate: The biologically active form metabolized by your body.⁶
• Thiamine mononitrate: This is the type generally used in supplements.⁷

Healthy Sources of Thiamine Are Abundant and Diverse

The great thing about thiamine is that it can be found in a variety of foods, so you can surely get the vitamin in one way or another even if you’re a picky eater. Nutritious sources include grass fed meats, raw milk, nuts, fruits and vegetables. You may refer to the extensive chart below for more information:^8,9,10,11

While beans are abundant in thiamine, they also contain lectins, which are sugar-binding proteins that can contribute to leaky gut syndrome by binding to receptor sites in your intestinal mucosal cells. As a result, the nutrients in your meals are not absorbed efficiently. To protect yourself from lectins, I strongly recommend following this procedure:

1. Soak the beans in water for at least 12 hours before cooking. Adding baking soda to the water will boost the removal of lectins even further.
2. Discard the water used for soaking and rinse the beans thoroughly.
3. Cook the beans for at least 15 minutes on high heat because a very low setting can actually increase the toxicity levels up to five times or more.

To maximize the bioavailability of thiamine, do not consume raw fish and shellfish dishes because they contain chemicals that can destroy the vitamin. However, cooked seafood poses no threat to the nutrient. Furthermore, tea and coffee should be taken moderately because their tannins can react to thiamine, making it hard for your body to absorb.¹²

Fake Vitamin B

Thiamine mononitrate or thiamine hydrochloride is made from coal tar, ammonia, acetone, and hydrochloric acid. It is much less absorbable since it isn’t bound to phosphate. It is crystalline in structure, unlike plant-based vitamins. Many synthetic vitamins are crystalline. Crystals in our blood stream cause damage and mineral accumulation where it isn’t needed, like joints.

(JustLiveWell.com) In one experiment, synthetic vitamin B was shown to render 100% of a group of pigs sterile! 100% would be considered a significant finding. (Dr. Barnett Sure, Journ Natr, 1939) Perhaps the fact that synthetic vitamin B comes from coal tar has something to do with it, you think? Then there’s vitamin B12, which comes from activated sewage sludge. (Frost p 60) Been shooting blanks since you started on those multi’s?

For the licensed dieticians and clinical nutritionists reading this in disbelief because it is too “unscientific,” consider the way Theron Randolph, M.D., delineated between natural and synthetic:

“A synthetically derived substance may cause a reaction in a chemically susceptible person when the same material of natural origin is tolerated, despite the two substances having identical chemical structures. The point is illustrated by the frequency of clinical reactions to synthetic vitamins – especially vitamin B1 and C – when the [same] naturally occurring vitamins are tolerated.”

Studies Indicate That Real Thiamine May Help Treat Certain Diseases and Deficiencies

Thiamine is an essential nutrient that must be consumed daily to help maintain proper biological functions. Research has found that thiamine may also help with certain disorders, such as:

Thiamine Deficiency Is Real and Can Greatly Affect Your Health

Thiamine deficiency, commonly known as beriberi, is the lack of thiamine pyrophosphate, the active form of vitamin B1 in your body.²² The disorder rarely occurs among healthy people because the vitamin is present in many foods. However, your risk of developing this disease greatly increases if you:²³

• Are an alcoholic
• Eat a diet that contains large amounts of white rice
• Have Crohn’s disease
• Are currently undergoing kidney dialysis
• Are anorexic

Symptoms of beriberi largely vary depending on which part of your body becomes affected. Here are several indicators you need to watch out for – visit your doctor immediately if you experience any of them:²⁴

If thiamine deficiency affects your cardiovascular system, you may experience chest pain, wide pulse pressure, heart failure, shock and tachycardia. Digestive disorders that may occur include anorexia, abdominal discomfort, constipation and dysphagia.²⁷ In these cases, you may be able to prevent complications by consuming thiamine-rich foods, or by taking a high-quality supplement.

The Ideal Dosage for Thiamine and Its Possible Side Effects

Oral thiamine supplements are generally considered safe when the daily recommended amounts are followed, and don’t require a prescription before purchasing. However, injectable thiamine (for more serious cases) requires administration by a medical professional.²⁸

As a dietary supplement, the dosages vary depending on the age and gender. You may refer to the table below to give you an idea on how much you should take:²⁹

While thiamine may have therapeutic applications that may help treat certain conditions, it may cause a few side effects of its own, and some of them are serious. Several indicators to watch out for include:³⁰

If any of the aforementioned side effects appear, contact your doctor immediately to seek treatment. Another thing that you should take note of is the possible interactions of mixing thiamine with certain medications:³¹

• Digoxin: This drug is commonly used to treat heart conditions, but it may also reduce the ability of cardiac cells to absorb and use thiamine.
• Diuretics (water pills): This classification of drugs may reduce thiamine levels in your body. Be sure to ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement if you’re currently taking diuretics to treat a certain condition.
• Phenytoin (Dilantin): Commonly used for seizures,³² phenytoin may lower your thiamine levels, which can contribute to side effects associated with the drug. Similar to diuretics, ask your doctor if you need to take a thiamine supplement while taking phenytoin.

Foods Are Your Best Options for Thiamine, but Supplementation May Be Beneficial in Certain Cases

If you want to increase your thiamine levels, consuming foods rich in this vitamin is your best option. Aside from gaining this particular benefit, whole foods also contain other nutrients, fiber and antioxidants to help support your overall well-being in other ways.

However, there are certain cases where a higher dosage is needed, especially if you’re being treated for deficiencies or a particular disease. In this regard, an oral supplement or an injectable variety (but with medical supervision) may work for you. Consult with a doctor first to get the optimal dosage for optimal recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thiamine

Source: Dr Mercola