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.

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  1. What is Vitamin B1?
  2. Benefits of Vitamin B1
  3. Sources Of Vitamin B1
  4. How Much Vitamin B1 Should We Take Per Day
  5. Side Effects Of Excess Of Vitamin B1
  6. Diseases Caused By Vitamin B1 Deficiency
  7. Summary

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.

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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 -

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Benefits Of Vitamin B1 For Blood Flow

Vitamin B1 helps in increasing red blood cells, which keeps you healthy, energetic and active.

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 -

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.

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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)

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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

  • 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:

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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)

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