Vitamin B1, An Essential Cofactor

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About Vitamin B1

In the early 1900’s beriberi was treated by rice bran in Japan. Umetaro Suzuki discovered Thiamine when he was researching how rice bran brought about the cure. It was not until about 25 years later that the name Thiamine was coined for the vitamin.

What's Nutritionally in it for You?

Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1. It has an important part in metabolizing carbohydrates and fat to produce energy. It is an essential vitamin for normal growth and development in the human body.

It helps manage proper functioning of the heart, nervous and digestive systems. Thiamine is water-soluble and does not dissolve in alcohol. Although it cannot be stored in the body, once it is absorbed, the vitamin will concentrate in muscle tissue.

Dietary Sources

Thiamine can be obtained in a number of foods. There are about 0.1mg of the vitamin per 28-100g (1-3.5oz) The typical RDA is about 1.4 mg

Green peas

Spinach

Liver

Beef

Pork

Navy Beans

Nuts

Pinto Beans

Bananas

Soybeans

Whole grain

Bread

Yeast

Wild Rice

Legumes

Dietary Deficiency

Thiamine deficiency is seen in malnutrition and alcoholism, diets high in raw freshwater fish and raw shellfish. Other foods that deplete thiamine or are so called anti-thiamine factors are tea, coffee, betel nuts.

Deficiency in Thiamine result in neurological health problems and death.

Disease from deficiency include Werincke-Korsakoff syndrome and beriberi.

Additional Uses

It is a way to B free of mosquito bites.Studies suggest thiamine can serve as a mosquito repellent. Taking 25 to 50 mg three times per day produces an odor in the skin that female mosquitoes do not like but is undetectable to humans. It takes two weeks before maximum protection is available.

There are no studies as to the viability of skin sprays that are offered topically.

Autism

More studies are linking diet with autism. Thiamine has been used to treat autism. Look for studies on improving glutathione levels and autism, ADD and ADHD.

What about Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin

Vitamin B2 is also an essential cofactor. Learn more about where you can get it here.

GlutathioneDiseaseCure Home: The Vitamin B1 Resource