What Is Vitamin B1 Used For?

You can find vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, in both plant and animal sources, such as pork, whole grains, liver, oatmeal, yeast and potatoes. Your body uses vitamin B1 for many vital functions in your body, and you must replenish it in the body every day.

History

In 1897, Dutch physicians Christiaan Eijkman and Gerrit Grijns believed there was a connection between excessive consumption of polished rice and beriberi, which is a nervous system disorder from a lack of vitamin B1. Years later, Sir Rudolph Peters, an English biochemist, performed an experiment that confirmed that vitamin B1 can reverse nerve disorders in pigeons who were fed a diet that lacked vitamin B1.

According to Dr. Gordon Wardlaw, a professor of the Department of Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University, these experiments and scientists' contributions have led to the discovery of vitamins, which paved the way to reducing or eliminating many diseases and disorders caused by malnutrition. Vitamin B1 was the first vitamin identified.

Function

Besides preventing beriberi, vitamin B1 helps perform many vital chemical reactions in your body, including production of hydrochloric acid, carbohydrate metabolism, muscle contraction, regular heartbeat and various enzyme functions.

Warning

Too little vitamin B1 intake can lead to nerve damage, chronic fatigue and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is vitamin B1 deficiency associated with alcoholism. Heavy alcohol consumption inhibits your ability to absorb vitamin B1.

Too much vitamin B1 intake can cause excessive muscle relaxation and drowsiness.

Recommendation

Like all nutrients in your body, you should not have too many or too few vitamins. Ellen Coleman, a registered dietitian and former nutrition consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers, recommends that men who are over the age of 18 take 1.2 to 1.3 mg of vitamin B1 a day, while women in the same age range should take 1.1 to 1.2 mg a day.

Treatment

The primary cause of vitamin B1 deficiency is alcoholism, which--if left untreated--can cause permanent nerve damage and death. Mary Anne Clairmont, a registered dietitian at Fairmount Behavioral Health System in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, says alcoholics must receive nutritional therapy immediately to prevent the negative consequences of vitamin B1 deficiency. In addition to vitamin B1, they must have a diet rich in vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, vitamin K and vitamin B6. The nutrients should come from whole foods, not supplements.