Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that your body, and especially your brain, needs for proper functioning. Your body cannot produce thiamine, so you must supply it in your diet. The daily recommended amount is 1 mg/day, and most people get at least this amount in their diet. However, up to 80% of alcoholics are deficient in thiamine, which can lead to serious heart and neurological disorders.
Connection
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependency, can lead to thiamine deficiency in several ways. Alcoholics frequently have poor nutrition, which leads to inadequate intake of thiamine in the diet. Alcohol interferes with absorption of thiamine from the gut, thereby reducing the amount of thiamine available from the diet. Alcohol can also interfere with the ability of your body to use the thiamine that is absorbed.
Heart Disease
Thiamine deficiency in alcoholics can lead to cardiovascular problems, including increased sodium and water in the blood, thus resulting in increased blood flow. Thiamine deficiency can even lead to heart failure.
Brain Disorders
Thiamine deficiency in alcoholics can lead to severe, permanent neurological damage. The most common disorder is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is linked to brain damage caused by thiamine deficiency. The short-term symptoms include confusion, paralysis of the eyes, and trouble with muscle coordination. The long-term consequences are problems with memory and learning.
Treatment
Thiamine deficiency can be treated by adding thiamine back into the diet. Many treatment programs for alcoholics include balanced meals and education about proper nutrition. If treated in the early stages, alcoholics with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can recover. However, approximately 25% will have permanent brain damage.
References
- Learn About Alcoholism.Com: Alcoholism and Nutrition: Thiamine Deficiencies Among Alcoholics Are Very Common
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: The Role of Thiamine Deficiency in Alcoholic Brain Disorders; PR Martin, CK Singleton, S Hiller--Sturmhöfel; July 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Alcoholism: Definition
