THIAMINE (ALSO KNOWN AS VITAMIN B1)

Thiamine in EnergyNeeds®

Thiamine is added in order to provide a wide basis of nutrition, especially given the important role of thiamine in energy metabolism and as an antioxidant. Side effects are unexpected.

The Details

What Is Thiamine? 

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is one of the eight B-complex vitamins. Thiamine cannot be manufactured by humans and is thus a true vitamin, obtained exclusively from the diet.

What Does Thiamine Do? 

Thiamine is an enzyme cofactor, which means that it is a necessary component for enzyme function. Thiamine is a cofactor in the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex that converts pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), which is a rate-limiting step critical to carbohydrate metabolism. Thiamine also has a role in branched-chain amino acid metabolism, and is an antioxidant

What Does a Thiamine Deficiency Appear As? 

Thiamine deficiency is generally found in individuals with poor nutrition, especially in alcoholics. Symptoms are generally that of brain and nerve dysfunction, including memory loss, confusion, depression, and peripheral neuropathy, as well as muscle pain and weakness, high-output heart failure, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and fatigue.

What About Thiamine’s Use in Disease?

Thiamine is particular required for nerve function, including the proper development of myelin sheaths around nerves, and deficiency may result in the nerve degeneration. Thiamine is thus often recommended for neurological conditions including Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis and Bell palsy. Some sources indicate that thiamine can improve memory and concentration, improve appetite, and to promote a “healthy mental attitude”. By increasing acetyl CoA production, thiamine helps in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, of which deficiency can lead to confusion, skeletal and heart muscle weakness, and dysautonomia. Additional uses include cataract prevention, and as a powerful antioxidant.

What Are the Common and/or Important Side Effects of Thiamine? 

Thiamine is water-soluble vitamin and thus considered to be generally non-toxic. Side effects are rare at usual doses used in supplementation.

Is There Any Laboratory Testing for a Thiamine Deficiency? 

Laboratory testing can reveal the presence of a deficiency of this nutrient, but is generally not likely to have clinically utility.