Vitamin B1 – role, sources, supplementation. Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency

Proven content

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, enables the body to use carbohydrates for energy. It is essential for glucose metabolism and plays a key role in the functioning of the nerves, muscles and heart.

Vitamin B1 – characteristics

Vitamin B1 is an essential nutrient that all body tissues need to function properly. Thiamin was the first B vitamin that scientists discovered. Therefore, its name includes the number 1. Like other B vitamins, thiamin is water-soluble and helps your body turn food into energy. The body needs thiamine to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is a molecule that transports energy in cells.

See also: Vitamins – role, importance, supplementation [EXPLAINED]

Vitamin B1 – functions in the body

B vitamins play a key role in energy production and metabolism. Some promote growth and development, while others support red blood cell formation, keep the brain functional, or act as coenzymes in various biochemical reactions. Thiamin helps the body to process the nutrients in food and use them as fuel. It regulates glucose metabolism and supports immune functions.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the human body can store approximately 25 to 30 milligrams of thiamine. About 80 percent of this is stored as thiamine diphosphate and helps the body metabolize fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids.

Vitamin B1 also supports the proper functioning of the brain. Therefore, low blood levels of this nutrient can lead to dementia, memory problems, apathy, fatigue, and behavioral changes, among others. Our brain needs thiamine to transmit nerve signals and function properly. In addition, vitamin B1 helps in the proper development of the myelin sheaths around the nerves. A deficiency of this vitamin can result in the degeneration of these shells, which can result in nerve damage and death.

Thiamin helps in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is used to transmit information between nerves and muscles and to keep the heart functioning properly. Vitamin B1 deficiency can therefore cause cardiac dysfunction. Following intravenous administration of vitamin B1 for seven days, people with congestive heart failure showed significant improvement in echocardiographic results, demonstrating that it can prevent heart disease.

Interestingly, when combined with other essential nutrients, vitamin B1 can delay or prevent cataracts.

Vitamin B1 also acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against the signs of aging such as wrinkles, age spots, and other age-related diseases that regularly affect our organs. Thiamin also helps in the secretion of hydrochloric acid, which is essential for the complete digestion of food particles.

It is worth adding that vitamin B1 slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Gary E. Gibson, there are several parallels between thiamine deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease, as both are associated with cognitive problems and a decrease in glucose metabolism in the brain. During treatment with vitamin B1 supplements at a dose of 100 mg per day, patients with this disease felt relief. A placebo-controlled study is currently underway to find out more about the mechanism by which this happens.

Vitamin B1 can also improve memory and concentration. It is also used to treat many nervous disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Bell’s palsy.

If you want to supply your body with vitamin B1, order High Five B-Complex Viridian today, which also contains other B vitamins.

See also: Placebo is raining not far from the doctor

Vitamin B1 – recommended daily intake

Vitamin B1 is essential in all stages of life, and its need depends on age and gender:

For children, the recommended vitamin B1 intake is:

1. from 1 to 3 years of age – 0,5 mg,
2. from 4 to 6 years of age – 0,6 mg,
3. from 7 to 9 years of age – 0,9 mg.

For older children and adolescents, the recommended vitamin B1 intake is:

1. girls from 10 to 12 years of age – 1 mg,
2. boys from 10 to 12 years of age – 1 mg,
3. girls from 13 to 18 years of age – 1,1 mg,
4. boys from 13 to 18 years of age – 1,2 mg.

For adults, the recommended vitamin B1 intake is:

1. women – 1,1 mg,
2. pregnant women – 1,4 mg,
3. nursing women – 1,5 mg,
4. men – 1,3 mg.

See also: Is it worth taking supplements?

Vitamin B1 – deficiency symptoms

Thiamine deficiency is caused by insufficient amounts of this vitamin. This can happen in two ways: we either consume too little vitamin B1 or we lose too much of it. If we are experiencing a thiamine deficiency, it is likely that you will experience one or more of the symptoms below.

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – loss of appetite

One of the common early symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency is loss of appetite or anorexia. Scientists believe that thiamin plays an important role in regulating the feeling of fullness. It helps to control the “satiety center” located in the hypothalamus. When a deficiency occurs, the normal operation of the “satiety center” is altered, causing a feeling of fullness or fullness, even when it is not. This can result in a lack of appetite.

One study in rats fed a thiamine-deficient diet for 16 days found that they ate significantly less food. After 22 days, the rats showed a 69-74 percent decrease in food consumption. Another study in rats fed a thiamine-deficient diet also found a significant decrease in food consumption.

In both studies, food consumption increased sharply to baseline levels after re-supplementation with thiamine.

See also: Eating disorders (appetite)

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – fatigue

Fatigue may come on gradually or suddenly. It can range from a slight drop in energy to extreme exhaustion, possibly depending on the severity of the deficiency. Because fatigue is such a vague symptom with many possible causes, it can often be overlooked as a sign of vitamin B1 deficiency.

However, given the vital role thiamin plays in converting food into energy, it’s no wonder that fatigue and lack of strength are common symptoms of deficiency.

See also: Constant Fatigue – Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – irritability

Irritability is a feeling of agitation and frustration. When we are irritable, we often get angry quickly. Irritability can be caused by a variety of physical, psychological and medical conditions.

Irritation is one of the first symptoms of thiamine deficiency. It may occur within days or weeks of the deficiency. Irritability has been particularly documented in cases involving infants with beriberi, a disease caused by thiamine deficiency.

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – weakened reflexes

Vitamin B1 deficiency can affect the motor nerves. Untreated damage to the nervous system caused by thiamine deficiency can cause changes in our reflexes.

We often observe weakness or absence of knee, ankle and triceps reflexes, and as the deficiency progresses this may affect coordination and walking ability. This symptom is often documented in the case of undiagnosed thiamine deficiency in children.

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – a tingling sensation in the arms and legs

Abnormal tingling, pricking, burning sensation in the arms and legs is a symptom known as paraesthesia.

The peripheral nerves that reach the arms and legs are highly dependent on the action of vitamin B1. In the event of a deficiency, peripheral nerve damage and paresthesia can occur. It is worth adding that the patients experienced paresthesia in the initial stages of thiamine deficiency.

In addition, studies in rats showed that thiamine deficiency led to peripheral nerve damage.

See also: Peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy)

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – muscle weakness

Generalized muscle weakness is not uncommon and its cause is often difficult to pin down.

Brief, temporary muscle weakness happens to almost everyone at some point. However, persistent, long-term muscle weakness for no apparent reason may be a sign of a vitamin B1 deficiency. In many cases, patients with thiamine deficiency experienced muscle weakness. Moreover, in these cases, the muscle weakness improved significantly after vitamin B1 supplementation.

See also: What is myopathy?

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – visual disturbances

Vitamin B1 deficiency can be one of the many causes of visual impairment.

Severe thiamine deficiency can cause swelling of the optic nerve, triggering optic neuropathy. This can cause blurred vision or even loss of vision. Many documented cases link blurred vision and blindness with severe thiamine deficiency. In addition, it was documented that patients’ eyesight improved significantly after thiamine supplementation.

See also: Dark spots in front of my eyes. What do they show and how to fight them?

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – nausea and vomiting

Although gastrointestinal symptoms are less common with vitamin B1 deficiency, they can still occur.

It is not fully understood why these types of digestive problems appear with thiamine deficiency, but documented cases of gastrointestinal symptoms have resolved with vitamin B1 supplementation. It should be added that vomiting may be more common in infants deficient in this nutrient, as it has been found to be a common symptom in infants consuming thiamine deficient soy formula.

See also: What to do when the intestines are sick? Find out where digestive problems are coming from

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – changes in heart rate

Heart rate is a measure of how many times our heart beats in a minute. Interestingly, this can be influenced by the level of thiamine. Too little thiamine can make your heart beat slower than normal.

Significant drops in heart rate have been documented in studies in rats deficient in vitamin B1. Abnormally slow heart rate due to thiamine deficiency can cause increased fatigue, dizziness and a greater risk of fainting.

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – shortness of breath

Given that vitamin B1 deficiency can affect heart function, you may also experience shortness of breath, especially with exercise.

This is because a thiamine deficiency can sometimes lead to heart failure, which occurs when the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood. This can eventually build up fluid in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It’s important to remember that shortness of breath can have many causes, so this symptom alone is not usually a sign of a vitamin B1 deficiency.

See also: When is breathlessness a serious illness? [WE EXPLAIN]

Symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency – delirium

Many studies have linked thiamine deficiency and delirium. (Delirium) Delirium is a serious condition that causes confusion, decreased awareness and an inability to think clearly.

In severe cases, vitamin B1 deficiency can cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which includes two types of closely related brain lesions. Symptoms often include delirium, memory loss, confusion and hallucinations.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is often associated with vitamin B1 deficiency due to alcohol abuse. However, thiamine deficiency is also common in elderly patients and may contribute to the onset of deliriums.

Vitamin B1 – Who Is Deficient?

Some people are more likely to develop vitamin B1 deficiency. This condition usually occurs in heavy drinkers, the elderly, and people with HIV or diabetes. It is estimated that up to 30 percent of seniors and 17 to 79 percent of people with diabetes are deficient in thiamine, according to the NIH.

Another common cause is bariatric surgery, which affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This can lead to low levels of vitamin B1 in the blood. Surprisingly, obese people tend to have low levels of this nutrient, as reported in a March 2015 review published in Advances in Nutrition. As the researchers point out, obesity is not necessarily characterized by excessive nutrition. In fact, eating fast food, sweet treats, sodas, and other empty calorie foods can lead to malnutrition.

Low vitamin B1 levels are often caused by a processed food diet. In addition, some polyphenols in coffee and tea can deactivate vitamin B1, and diuretics increase its excretion. Crohn’s disease and other disorders that reduce nutrient absorption can also lead to deficiencies.

As you can see, this condition can have a variety of causes, ranging from poor nutrition and alcohol consumption to diabetes. The symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency are much more severe than those associated with an overdose of thiamine. Prevention is your best defense. Therefore, it is recommended that you eat a balanced diet, undergo regular checkups and consult your doctor before taking any medications.

See also: AIDS – symptoms of infection. AIDS and HIV [EXPLAINED]

Vitamin B1 – treatment of vitamin B1 deficiency

The only way to treat a vitamin B1 deficiency is to take supplementation and change any basic eating habits that may have caused the deficiency. Thiamine supplementation can be administered orally or by injection, depending on the type and cause of the deficiency.

If identified early and treated promptly, most symptoms should resolve. People deficient in vitamin B1 should undergo long-term monitoring of vitamin BXNUMX levels to ensure that the deficiency does not return.

Vitamin B1 – excess

According to experts, an overdose of vitamin B1 is unlikely to cause side effects. If we consume too much of it, the excess will be excreted in the urine. In fact, there is no upper limit for vitamin B1. Dosages up to 50 milligrams appear safe.

Vitamin B1 – sources

High concentrations of vitamin B1 are found in the outer layers and sprouts of cereals, as well as in yeast, beef, pork, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.

Fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin B1 include cauliflower, oranges, potatoes, asparagus, and kale. Other sources include brewer’s yeast and black molasses.

Breakfast cereals and white flour or white rice products can be fortified with vitamin B. For example, in the United States, people consume about half of vitamin B1 in foods that naturally contain thiamine, while the rest comes from foods fortified with this vitamin.

It should be added that heating and processing food and boiling it in water destroys thiamine. Since vitamin B1 is soluble in water, it dissolves in boiled water. White rice that is not enriched with this ingredient will only contain one-tenth of the thiamine available in brown rice.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diet Supplements Office (ODS) notes that one serving of fortified breakfast cereal provides 1,5 milligrams (mg) of thiamine, more than 100 percent of the recommended daily amount. One slice of whole grain bread contains 0,1 mg, or 7 percent of the daily requirement. Cheese, chicken and apples do not contain thiamine. People need a constant supply of vitamin B1 because it is not stored in the body. This vitamin should be part of our daily diet.

See also: Do you know what you are eating? Check!

Content from the site medTvoiLokony they are intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and his doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.