Thiamine is primarily used to prevent and treat impaired mental function, and the Thiamine deficiency disease beriberi. The role of thiamine in disease first came to light in Asia a few centuries ago. Deficiency is the cause of beriberi, a condition marked by mental impairment, muscle wasting, high blood pressure, and heart problems, which was common among Asian sailors and prisoners before the nineteenth century. The Dutch physician Christian Eijkman linked beriberi to dietary factors in the early twentieth century. He speculated that the high consumption of white rice among Asian populations was one reason why the disease was more common in Asia. It was later discovered that thiamine, a water-soluble nutrient found in whole grains, was missing from white rice.
Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), a combination of two molecules of phosphoric acid and B-1, is the coenzyme form of this vitamin. TPP is critical in several metabolic functions, including the removal of carbon dioxide reactions, which in turn are important in the conversion of amino acids, carbohydrates and fats to energy. It is also necessary for the conversion of carbohydrates to fat. TPP is needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine, a lack of which causes inflammation of the nerves and memory loss.
It may be involved in cognitive functions through its involvement with acetylcholine. Thiamine deficiency has been shown to have a deleterious effect on mental functioning. Estimates show that 30% of all patients entering psychiatric wards are deficient in this nutrient.1 A 1994 study indicates that thiamine deficiency often goes undetected in the elderly, and may be responsible for delirium in this age group.2 Thiamine is able to mimic acetylcholine in the brain and has been effective in improving mental functioning in patients with AlzheimerÕs disease and in aging.
Thiamine is needed to metabolize alcohol, but the absorption of the nutrient is hindered by excessive alcohol intake. This puts alcoholics at risk for symptoms associated with thiamine deficiency. Such a deficiency in alcoholics results in brain problems known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This can result in permanent memory impairment, motor problems, and psychosis. Exercise, carbohydrates, alcohol, and diets high in fat and sugar may also lead to thiamine deficiency symptoms.
Research from 1994 on the nervous system found that thiamine supplements improved reaction time one hour after ingestion.3 When supplements were discontinued, however, the improvements waned. Deficiency of the nutrient was found in 1992 to be common in children in intensive care units and undergoing chemotherapy.4 These deficiencies are easily reversed with supplements.
1 Carner MWP, Vitamin deficiency and mental symptoms. Br J Psychiatr 156, 878-882, 1990.
2 OÕKeefe S, Tormey W, Glasgow R, et al., Thiamine deficiency in hospitalized elderly patients. Gerontology 1994;40:18-24.
3 Goswami S, Dhara P: Effects of vitamin B-1 supplementation on reaction time in adult males. Med Sci Res 1994;22:279-280.
4 Seear M, Lockitch G, Jacobson B, et al., Thiamine, riboflavin, and pyridoxine deficiencies in a population of critically ill children. J Pediatr 1992; 121:533-538.
VITAMIN B-1: SOURCES
Tablets: Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Liquid: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass of water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.
Thiamine hydrochloride1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
What this vitamin does:
Functions in combination with adenosine triphosphate to form co-enzyme necessary for converting carbohydrate into energy in muscles and nervous system.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
People who abuse alcohol or other drugs. Alcoholics need more thiamine. Thiamine accelerates metabolism, using extra carbohydrates and calories from alcohol.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
People with a chronic wasting illness, especially diabetes, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
People with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
Those with recent severe burns or injuries.
People with liver disease, overactive thyroid, prolonged diarrhea.
Miscellaneous information:
Cook foods in minimum amount of water or steam.
Avoid high cooking temperatures and long heat exposure.
Avoid using baking soda when you take thiamine unless it is used as a leavening agent in baked products.
Thiamine is stable when frozen and stored.
A balanced diet should provide enough thiamine for healthy people to make supplementation unnecessary. Best dietary sources of thiamine are whole-grain cereals and meat.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Normal deficiency:
Gross deficiency:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
VITAMIN B-1: OPTIMAL LEVELS
5-100 mg.
VITAMIN B-1: MINIMUM DOSAGE
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
Estimate of adequate daily intake by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, 1989. The therapeutic dose is between 3-8 g daily.
Age RDA
0-6 months 0.3mg
6-12 months 0.4mg
1-3 years 0.7mg
4-6 years 0.9mg
7-10 years 1.0mg
MALES
11-14 years 1.3mg
15-50 years 1.5mg
51+ years 1.2mg
FEMALES
11-50 years 1.1mg
51+ years 1.0mg
Pregnant 1.5mg
Lactating 1.6mg
VITAMIN B-1: WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Over age 55:
Pregnancy:
Breast-feeding:
Storage:
Others:
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Signs and symptoms:
Occasionally large doses of Vitamin B-1 have caused hypersensitive reactions resembling anaphylactic shock. Several hundred milligrams may cause drowsiness in some people.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Reaction or effect What to do
Skin rash or itching (rare) Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
Wheezing (more likely after Seek emergency treatment. 1
intravenous dose)
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
Drugs used to relax muscles during surgery: Produces excessive muscle relaxation.
Tell your doctor before surgery if you are taking supplements.
Dilantin inhibits thiamine action.
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental Vitamin B-1.
Alcohol reduces intestinal absorption of Vitamin B-1, which is necessary to metabolize alcohol.
Carbonates and citrates (additives listed on many beverage labels) decrease thiamine effect.
Tannins (chemicals in coffee and tea) and sulfites (preservatives) destroy thiamine.1
1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.
©2009 65InAmerica.com