March 7, 2017

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Vitamin B1

Thiamine or Vitamin B1 was the first B vitamin discovered in the 1930’s.  This article is all about the amazing properties of this vitamin.  Dr. Eijkman received the 1929 Nobel Prize for the discovery of Vitamin B1 . Interestingly enough he was actually looking for a bug that was the cause of Beri Beri and instead discovered a vitamin. 

 

What is Vitamin  B1

Vitamin B1  is a part of a group of water-soluble vitamins that have a variety of metabolic functions. Your body needs energy to stay alive and metabolism is the mechanism this occurs by. B-complex vitamins  keep your engine running. Other well known B vitamins are B6 and B12  and are  important to a healthy body. Our body need thiamine to utilize carbohydrates. It helps the body break down carbohydrates into it’s simplest form called glucose. Glucose is a sugar so basically any carbohydrate you eat is sugar. People forget that and that is one reason they fail in their weight loss programs. Glucose is one form of macronutrient used by the body to make energy. B1 is useful  in fat and protein metabolism as well. Also, do not forget that the body can convert protein and fat to glucose as well, it is just a more complicated process. 

 

Where can you find Vitamin B1

What foods contain Vitamin B1? Here are some foods that are  rich in B1: Brewer’s yeast, whole grains, beans, wheat germ, brown rice, rice bran, oatmeal, legumes, peanuts, sunflower seeds, squash, asparagus, lean pork, organ meats and dried soybeans. We do not tend to eat much organ meat in this country and way too many grains. I tend to get mine from asparagus because I love it. 

Vitamin B1 Problems

Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause serious  health problems.  Vitamin B1 will affect  your nervous system, energy levels, heart and mood. In the United States Vitamin B1 deficiencies are not common. People who typically have thiamine deficiency are those  with alcoholism, Crohn’s disease and gut problems,  and those who are getting dialysis treatments. For these people Vitamin IV infusions such as a Myers Cocktail can really be helpful.

Levels of Vitamin B1

For most people what they get in their diet or a multivitamin is enough for their needs.  The RDA(recommended daily allowance) for adults ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 mg daily.For adults with low  levels of B1, the usual dose will be 5-30 mg daily. For someone who is an alcoholic or has a gut absorption problem (like Chrons) which causes a  severe deficiency up to 300 mg per day may be given. It is hard to get too much of this vitamin due to the fact that it is water soluble and any extra will be excreted. Some people can experience some side effects which include stomach pain and rashes. Always consult your medical provider before taking any kind of supplements.