Vitamin B1 - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Alternative name - Thiamine

Thiamine is a vitamin that can dissolve itself in water, and prevents a disease called beri beri, which was a problem that used to occur for years in the Pacific and East. It was ultimately found out to be a disease that happened due to deficiency of the body, and in 1890 the first breakthrough was made wen Dr Ejikman realized that birds that ate rice that was refined developed problems like developed polyneuritis. Later the problem was solved when Dr Casimir Funk gave the birds a concentration of the residue left after the polished rice. During 1926, Donath and Jansen finally produced a concentrated form of this vitamin, and Williams created a synthetic form of the vitamin in 1936 with the aid of his cronies. 

Sources of Vitamin B1 

You would find Vitamin B1 or Thiamine in cereal husks and germs, different kinds of nuts, green vegetables and pulses, and in the egg yolk and yeast. You would also find it in milk, and so a fair share of the vitamin comes from these sources. The vitamin is absorbed from the small intestine, and it is stored mostly in the body, and about one-fourth of it is released through urine. 

Thiamine Losses 

During the milling of rice, thiamine loss occurs in large quantities because of the removal of the husk. Also a large part is lost during the washing and further cooking of rice, thanks to the solubility of the vitamin in water. A lot of vegetables lose thiamine during washing too, and if food products are added to baking soda.  

Benefits of Vitamin B1 

Thiamine is needed to raise the blood circulation and produce blood, not to mention enhance the digestion of carbohydrates. It is also needed for neurotic health and to form hydrochloric acid. It also reduces depression and is great for brain development and raises chances of fertility. You need it to grow and induce your mind to expand your memory.  

Daily Requirement 

Without this vitamin, the lactic acids in the body refuses to break, and heaps up in your blood and tissues, clogging your pores and induce your body’s problems. The enzyme system also clogs up, so the vitamin is necessary to regulate your body. Protein and fat synthesis lowers, creating problems.  

All you need is about 1.8 mg of the product, and if you are pregnant or a lactating mother, or do physical work a lot, then you should have more, with the consultation of the doctor. You might also need more if you are suffering from a physical injury.  

Deficiency Signs 

Deficiency of the vitamin can cause Wernick’s encephalopathy and beriberi. Generally you can check out beriberi if your legs develop oedema, and you lose your will to eat and lose energy.  Wernick’s encephalopathy can happen if you suffer from ataxia, polyneuritis, and other such problems. 

Toxicity and signs of High Intake 

However, having thiamine too much can induce toxic accumulation in your body.   

Who Need More 

Alcohol lovers should have this more, along with pregnant and lactating mothers. Also women who take pills to control their fertility should have this.