The body needs many types of vitamins and minerals. The body is functional only with the help of these vitamins and minerals. One essential vitamin in this list is Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. It helps the body to convert carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin B1 is essential for glucose metabolism and plays an important role in the proper functioning of nerves, muscles and heart. Further in this article, Vitamin B1 is being explained in detail - what is Vitamin B1, benefits of Vitamin B1, disadvantages of excess of Vitamin B1 and what are the sources of Vitamin B1.
(Read more -Vitamin B12: Foods, Sources, Benefits)
- What is Vitamin B1?
-
Benefits of Vitamin B1
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Strong Body
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Nerves
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Heart Disease
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Eyes
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Aging Skin
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Stomach Problems
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Alzheimer's Disease
- Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Blood Flow
- Sources Of Vitamin B1
- How Much Vitamin B1 Should We Take Per Day
- Side Effects Of Excess Of Vitamin B1
- Diseases Caused By Vitamin B1 Deficiency
- Summary
What is Vitamin B1?
All the tissues of the body require vitamin B1 to function. In the vitamin B group, vitamin B1 is the one that was discovered first by scientists. This is why it is known as "vitamin B1". It can be obtained through diet and medicines. If there is a deficiency of it, many types of diseases can arise in the body.
Like other vitamins of the vitamin B group, B1 is also water soluble. Vitamins are classified on the basis of their solubility. Some vitamins are water soluble, while some are fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins get mixed in the blood and the vitamins which the body is unable to use, come out through urine.
(Read more -Benefits of vitamin b for hair growth)
Benefits of Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is helpful for the functioning of the body and it is considered one of the essential nutrients for the body. Its benefits are being explained in detail below -
(Read more - Why Are Vitamins Important For The Body)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Strong Body
Sugar is the main source of energy for the body. Vitamin B1 is required for the process of digesting sugar. Vitamin B1 present in the enzyme helps in doing this work. The body gets energy after sugar is digested.
(Read more - Vitamins in Apples)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Nerves
Vitamin B1 helps in forming the "myelin sheath" around the nerves. If there is a deficiency of Vitamin B1 in the body, this layer starts getting destroyed, due to which the nerves can get seriously damaged.
(Read more - Foods Rich in Vitamin B12)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Heart Disease
Vitamin B1 helps in the formation of "Acetylcholine" (a kind of chemical present in the body) in the body. This chemical works to carry signals between nerves and muscles. If there is a deficiency of this chemical in the body, then the functioning of the heart can also be hampered.
In a study, patients suffering from heart failure were given vitamin B1 through veins for seven days. After seven days, a significant improvement was seen in the health of these patients and this was confirmed by Echo Test (test to check heart health). This study revealed that vitamin B1 provides protection from heart diseases.
(Read more - Vitamin E Capsule For Glowing Skin)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Eyes
Taking Vitamin B1 along with other nutrients reduces your risk of cataracts, even the risk of cataracts can be completely avoided.
(Read more - Which vitamin deficiency causes anemia?)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Aging Skin
Vitamin B1 works as an antioxidant. Antioxidants keep away the signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots from your skin. Apart from this, Vitamin B1 prevents some disorders that occur with aging and affect the internal organs.
(Read more - Vitamin D Deficiency)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Stomach Problems
Vitamin B1 increases the secretion of "hydrochloric acid" necessary for digesting food, with the help of which the digestion process is correct and food is easily digested.
(Read more - The Role of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) in Your Body)
Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Alzheimer's Disease
Vitamin B1 slows down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A research found that by taking about 100 mg of Vitamin B1 supplement daily, patients of Alzheimer's disease start getting relief. Currently other studies are being done to confirm this discovery.
(Read more - Can Too Much Vitamin B12 Be Harmful?)
Sources Of Vitamin B1
You can get vitamin B1 from the diet. Wheat flour is rich in vitamin B1. You can get vitamin B1 from the diet you eat daily. Food items containing vitamin B1 are described in detail below -
- Cauliflower
- Oranges
- Eggs
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Nuts (dry fruits)
- Soybean
- Whole grains
- Pulses
- Rice - Brown rice contains ten times more vitamin B1 than white rice.
Apart from these, breakfast cereals (such as corn flakes) in which vitamin B1 has been added separately, can provide up to 1.5 mg of vitamin B1 by eating them. This is sufficient for your daily requirement. Vitamin B1 is not preserved in the body, so you need to regularly get vitamin B1 from your diet.
(Read more - Vitamins in Amla)
How Much Vitamin B1 Should We Take Per Day
There may be different recommendations regarding the daily requirements of vitamin B1 (thiamine) according to different age groups and lifestyles. Generally, it is recommended to take 1.1 to 1.2 mg of vitamin B1 daily for a healthy adult. Recommended intake of vitamin B1 for different age groups:
- Infants (0-6 months): 0.2 mg per day
- Infants (7-12 months): 0.3 mg per day
- Children (1-3 years): 0.5 mg per day
- Children (4-8 years): 0.6 mg per day
- Children (9-13 years): 0.9 mg per day
- Adolescents (14-18 years): 1.0-1.2 mg per day
- Adult men: 1.2 mg per day
- Adult women: 1.1 mg per day
- Pregnant women: 1.4 mg per day
- Breastfeeding women: 1.4 mg per day
Good sources of vitamin B1 include whole grains, nuts, seeds, meat, and fish. The required amount of vitamin B1 can be obtained by ensuring intake of these foods through a balanced diet. (Food Infotech) (Food Safety Helpline)
Side Effects Of Excess Of Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. Being water soluble, it is not preserved in the body and when there is excess of Vitamin B1 in the body, it comes out through urine. In normal cases, taking an excess amount of Vitamin B1 does not cause any harm to you, but in some rare situations, cases of excess of Vitamin B1 have been reported. In such a situation, the following symptoms of excess of Vitamin B1 can be seen in the body
- Red rashes on the skin
- Allergy
- Insomnia
- Feeling nervous.
Diseases Caused By Vitamin B1 Deficiency
- Patients with Vitamin B1 deficiency can be given Vitamin B1 as a medicine in these conditions
- Vitamin B1 medicines are also given for "Peripheral neuritis" (a neurological disorder). In this, the nerves outside the brain get swollen.
- Vitamin B1 is also given to people with inflammation in the intestines, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Vitamin B1 injections can also be given in case of coma.
- Many players take Vitamin B1 to improve their performance.
Following are some other conditions where thiamine supplements can be beneficial:
- AIDS
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma and other vision problems
- Cerebral syndrome (a type of brain damage)
- Cervical cancer
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease with type 2 diabetes
- Motion sickness
- Weak immune system
(Read more - Vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy)
Summary
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an essential nutrient for the body. It is important mainly for energy production, converting carbohydrates into energy, and for the proper functioning of the nervous system and muscles. This vitamin supports brain function and helps maintain mental clarity. Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause a number of health problems, such as fatigue, weakness, memory loss, and in severe cases, a disease called beriberi. Thiamine is naturally found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, meat, and fish. It is important to obtain vitamin B1 through a balanced diet so that the body's energy requirements are met and the nervous system can function properly.
Medicines / Products that contain Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- HealthAid Vitamin B1 Tablet 100mg (90) - ₹799
- Immunescience Multivitamin For Kids, Sugar Free Chewable Tablets (60) - ₹599
- Virgo Healthcare Vizyme Digestive Enzymes Syrup (200ml) - ₹120
- Adgain Capsule - ₹255
- Beplex Forte Tablet - ₹44
- Vaamveda B Complex All Essential B Vitamins with Biotin, Zinc & Vitamin C Tablet - ₹499
- B Active Tablet (15) - ₹245
- Fertihope F Capsule - ₹565
- Beplex LZ Capsule - ₹65
- Iron Lifters Extra Power Booster Fat Burner, Watermelon Flavor (228 Gm, 60 Servings) - ₹2400
- Labyrinth Multivitamin Tablets - ₹150
- BEPLEX TABLET - ₹80
- Omni Ayurveda Multi Vitamin Capsules For Immunity Booster, Joint Blend Higher Energy And Improved Performance Levels (60) - ₹2499
- Beplex Forte Plus Injection - ₹28
- Beplex Forte Injection 2 Ml - ₹31
- Beplex Forte Injection 11 Ml - ₹28
- Beplex Forte Elixir - ₹71
- B Active Capsule (30) - ₹467
- B Active Tablet (10) - ₹91
- B Active Probiotic Capsule (10) - ₹83
- B Active Liquid 100ml - ₹112
- B Active CP Tablet (30) - ₹326