Download Health Benefits of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine

Health Benefits of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
Health Benefits of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
Vitamin B1, a vital human nutrient belongs to the Vitamin B complex. It plays an important role in
maintaining a healthy nervous and cardiovascular functioning of the body.
Vitamin B1 is one of the eight water-soluble vitamins in the B complex family. It helps in the conversion of
carbohydrates into glucose, which in turn is used to produce energy for carrying out various body functions.
Vitamin B1 is required for the breakdown of fats and protein. In addition to these vitamins maintain the
muscle tone along the wall of the digestive tract and promote the health of the nervous system, skin, hair,
eyes, mouth, and liver. It also improves the body to withstand stress and is often called "anti-stress" vitamin
Important Sources: Yeast and liver are the richest sources of Vitamin B1. Pork, whole-grain cereals rye,
wheat germ and kidney beans are also rich in this vitamin. Including asparagus, mushrooms, romaine
lettuce, spinach, tuna, green peas, and sunflower seeds, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts and eggplant in your diet
might ensure a steady supply of B1 vitamin. Over cooking and long term refrigeration might destroy
Vitamin B1.
Deficiency symptoms: Some of the early symptoms might include lethargy, irritability, loss of memory,
loss of sleep or appetite, weight loss, indigestion or constipation, and calf muscle tenderness. If left untreated
these initial symptoms might lead to a more severe form of thiamin deficiency, known as beriberi
characterized by nerve, heart, and brain abnormalities. However the symptoms might vary in different forms.
Dry Beriberi: Might involve nerve and muscle abnormalities, prickling sensation in the toes, and
burning sensation in the feet especially at night, leg cramps and muscle atrophy.
Wet Beriberi: Common symptoms might include abnormally fast heart beats, fluid retention in the
legs, pulmonary edema, hypotension, which might result in shock and eventual death.
Brain Abnormalities: In habitual alcoholics, Thiamin deficiency might result in brain abnormalities
such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Some of its common symptoms include haziness, involuntary
eye movements, difficulty in walking and partial paralysis of the eyes among others. If ignored these
symptoms could become fatal. Some of the common symptoms of Korsakoff's psychosis include loss
of memory, incoherence and confabulation.
Infantile Beriberi: Commonly seen in newborn children of women already suffering from thiamin
deficiency, who could contract this condition from the mother’s milk. Heart failure, loss of reflexes
and aphonia are some of the common symptoms.
Benefits: Vitamin B1 helps in many important body functions and some of its benefits would include the
following.
Involved in the energy production: Sugar is the principal source of energy in your body where it is
oxidized to form usable form of energy in the presence of vitamin B1. It is part of a complex enzyme
system called the pyruvate dehydrogenase system, which helps in the oxidation of sugar. Vitamin B1
is required for the functioning of this enzyme system, which releases energy for the normal functions
of the body.
Helps in the development of myelin sheaths:Vitamin B1 helps in the proper development of myelin
sheaths around nerves. Deficiency of Vitamin B1, might result in the degeneration of these coverings,
which might result in nerve death and damage.
Ensures proper cardiac function: This vitamin helps in the production of the neurotransmitter,
acetylcholine, which is used to relay messages between the nerves and muscles and to ensure proper
cardiac function. Vitamin B1 deficiency can thus result in irregular cardiac functions. People suffering
from congestive heart failure, when administered vitamin B1 intravenously for seven days, showed
considerable improvements in their echocardiograms, which proves that vitamin B1, can prevent heart
disease.
Prevents cataracts: When used along with other essential nutrients, Vitamin B1 can stall the
occurrence of cataracts.
Reduces the effects of aging: It is a powerful anti-oxidant, which helps you from the ill effects of
aging.
Ensures proper digestion: It helps in the secretion of hydrochloric acids, which is essential for the
complete digestion of food particles.
Prevents Alzheimer’s disease: Vitamin B1 is thought to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease. Persons suffering from this disease condition have benefited when vitamin B1 supplements of
100 mg per day were administered. However, there are placebo-controlled trial studies till now to
authenticate this claim.
Improves memory: Vitamin B1 can improve your memory and concentration. It is also used in the
management of many nervous disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Bell’s palsy among others.
Function: Vitamin B1 is better known as "morale vitamin" for its positive impact on the nervous
system and a healthy mental attitude.
Helps in the production of red blood cells: Vitamin B1 has an important role in the production of
RBC, which in turn keeps the person healthy and active.
Restores deficiencies caused by alcoholism: Vitamin B1 can even off the deficiencies caused by
cirrhosis, infections, hyperthyroidism or alcoholism.
Improves appetite: It can significantly improve appetite and mental alertness
Food for thought As it is a water soluble vitamin, it will be expelled through urine. So, make sure to
maintain a well balanced diet that can supply the requisite amounts of vitamin regularly.
n<?pan>Helps in the repair and replacement of old tissues: Vitamin A plays an important role in
replacing old and worn out tissues with new ones and to keep your bones and teeth strong.
Slackens ageing: Vitamin A is famous for its wrinkle eliminating properties which can reduce the age
spots and fine lines. It can slow down the aging process by enhancing the overall skin health.
Lowers cholesterol: It lowers blood cholesterol level thereby protecting you against the risks of heart
disease and stroke.
Healthy reproductive system: This Vitamin is widely known for aiding best health of the
reproductive system.
Know your limit: Vitamin A is required only in trace amounts and any excess quantity would be expelled
by the body unabsorbed. Make sure to ensure a regular supply of the requisite quantity for best results.
Vitamin A overdose can have symptoms such as blurred vision and nausea. Severe symptoms might include
growth retardation, and enlarged spleen and liver among others.