Thiamine, also referred to as thiamin, belongs to the group of water-soluble B vitamins. Discovered and characterized in the 1920's, thiamine was one of the first organic compounds recognized as a vitamin, according to MayoClinic.com. The human body needs thiamine but cannot produce it, making it one of the 13 essential vitamins. Although available in supplements, doctors recommend meeting your daily recommended intake through eating a variety of healthy foods.
Daily Intake
The National Institutes of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board recommends adult men intake 1.2 mg of thiamine per day while women intake 1.1 mg per day. Thiamine promotes the flow of electrolytes into and out of cells, which helps keep nerves and muscle functioning efficiently. The body also needs thiamine for the production of enzymes necessary for the breakdown of carbohydrates during digestion. The parietal cells in the lining of the stomach also use thiamine to produce hydrochloric acid. Consuming foods that contain thiamine, therefore, helps the body efficiently use the energy provided by food.
Food Sources
Many foods naturally contain thiamine. Whole grains -- foods made using the entire grain which includes the germ, bran and endosperm -- serve as a good source of thiamine. Milled grains, those with the bran and germ removed, however, lose the majority of thiamine. Manufacturers fortify white flour and cereal with thiamine to replace what is lost through processing. Legumes, including beans and lentils, also naturally contain thiamine. Other good sources of thiamine include nuts, lean pork, eggs, milk and brewer's yeast.
Deficiency
The Linus Pauling Institute reports that men need an average of 2.0 mg of thiamine per day while women need about 1.2 mg per day. Because the body cannot store thiamine, a deficiency can occur if you fail to consume a variety of foods containing this vitamin. A thiamine deficiency causes a medical condition known as beriberi. Because a thiamine deficiency can affect different bodily systems, different types of the disease can occur including wet beriberi, dry beriberi or cerebral beriberi. Wet beriberi occurs in the cardiovascular system and causes a rapid heartbeat, enlarged heart, swelling and difficulty breathing; it can lead to congestive heart failure. Dry beriberi affects the nervous system, causing reduced sensation and weakness in the arms and legs, muscle pain and seizures. Cerebral beriberi affects the central nervous system including the brain; it can cause abnormal eye movements, interfere with normal walking and impair mental functions.
Conditions Treated
In addition to treating the symptoms of a deficiency, eating foods with thiamine or taking thiamine supplements may be helpful in treating many other types of medical conditions. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that scientific evidence indicates that high dietary thiamine intake can help prevent cataracts. Eating foods rich in thiamine may also help slow the progression of atherosclerosis -- narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of cholesterol and fat, according to MayoClinic.com. Additionally, thiamine may help ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and leg cramps often felt in pregnant women. Because of the effects of thiamine on the central nervous system, scientists are currently studying whether it can help treat dementia as seen in Alzheimer's disease.
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