Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is essential for every tissue in the body. It is a cofactor for enzymatic reactions in the skeletal muscles, heart, liver, kidney, and brain [1].

Ingested Vitamin B1 from food and dietary supplements is absorbed by the small intestine through active transport at nutritional doses and by passive diffusion at pharmacological doses [1].

Most dietary Vitamin B1 is in phosphorylated forms, and intestinal phosphatases hydrolyze them to free thiamine before the vitamin is absorbed. Humans store thiamine primarily in the liver, but in very small amounts

Functions & Benefits of Thiamine

1) Metabolism

The body needs Vitamin B1 to make ATP, the body’s main energy-carrying molecule.

Thiamine helps in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, which is the preferred source of energy that the body runs off of to keep your metabolism running smoothly. It also helps break down proteins and fats [3].

Thiamine is specifically needed for a system of enzyme reactions called pyruvate dehydrogenase, which works to metabolize sugars that we eat [4].

Sugar Metabolism

Thiamine (as thiamine diphosphate, the main active form of the vitamin) is essential to glucose metabolism [5].

The proportion of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have low thiamine ranges from 17% to 79%. Studies have found that increasing Vitamin B1 intake decreases the severity of symptoms associated with early-stage diabetes [6].

2) Immunity

Like other B-complex vitamins, Vitamin B1 is sometimes called an “anti-stress” vitamin because it may strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s ability to withstand stressful conditions [7].

Giving rats a Vitamin B1 blocker caused a significant decrease in immune system function [7].

3) Brain

Previous studies have reported low levels of thiamine and pyruvate dehydrogenase dysfunction in patients with ataxia, a condition that causes loss of movement. Long-term treatment showed significant improvements [8].

Vitamin B1 appears to help with the development of the myelin sheath, a coat that wraps around nerves to protect them from damage and death [9].