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Vitamin B1, or Thiamine, is a water soluble vitamin of the B family. As is evidenced by its numeric denotation, it was the first of the B complex vitamins to be discovered.
It was originally named aneurin for the detrimental neurological effects that result when this vitamin is not present in the diet.
Since it is a water soluble compound, the body does not store this vitamin and it can be depleted in as little as 14 days. Getting enough Thiamine in your diet is necessary for maintaining healthy brain function as well as supporting a positive mood.
Nootropic users will typically take Sulbutiamine – a more powerful derivative of Thiamine – as a cognitive enhancement supplement. Sulbutiamine was developed to increase the bioavailability of natural Vitamin B1, making it significantly more effective as a mood and mental performance enhancer.
- Essential nutrient for energy & cognition
- Helps metabolize carbohydrates & lipids
- Supports nerve and brain health
Deficiency in Thiamine
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Lack of Thiamine vitamin has been attributed to a number of health problems such as dementia and possible Alzheimer’s, a disease called beriberi, Korsakoff’s psychosis and Wernicke’s disease.
It can also cause memory impairment, confusion or lack of mental clarity, fatigue and feelings of apathy.
Thiamine was first discovered in the outer layers of white rice in Japan during the early part of the 20th century.
Thiamine is now known to be present in a number of foods such as yeast, pork, and cereal grains. However, the actual amounts are usually rather low, which is another reason why supplementation typically makes good sense.
Although actual deficiency of Vitamin B1 today is rare, alcoholism, Crohn’s disease, anorexia, and those undergoing kidney dialysis do seem to have much higher chances of this occurring.
Thiamine Effects:
Thiamine is known to be very active in a number of processes within the body. For starters, it is needed by the body to keep the tissues healthy, especially through the synthesis of proteins and enzymes.
Another major effect of Thiamine is to help metabolize carbohydrates, which is essential for the production of energy. Your body needs a regular supply of Vitamin B1 in order to make ATP which is the energy format used within your cells. Not only this, but the vitamin also plays an important role in the metabolism and transport of fats and proteins.
This supplement is also critical in maintaining overall heart health. As we are certainly aware, the heart is the hardest working muscle in your entire body. Regular intake of Thiamine has been shown to increase the pumping power and strength of the heart. This is something that could be considered essential for people suffering from congestive heart failure.
This supplement also works by helping to strengthen and promote healthy nerve function throughout the body.
Thiamine Benefits:
One of the most interesting benefits that has become associated with Thiamine supplementation is that of helping to boost overall mood. This benefit is present even when there is not any type of vitamin deficiency.
Several studies have indicated this supplement helps to improve mood, energy, and alertness. It helps improve energy levels along with lowering blood pressure, improving the quality of sleep, and even helps to promote healthy weight loss.
There is also some speculation that it might be effective at treating the memory loss normally associated with Alzheimer’s disease, although more research into this is needed.
Vitamin B1 is also very effective in maintaining heart health and efficient function. This seems to be the result of the vitamin actually having the effect of increasing the pumping power of the heart. This supplement has been effective at improving the symptoms of congestive heart failure, and this vitamin is normally found to be in very low supply in such patients.
Thiamine is used to help protect the body against a number of deficiency diseases and problems. One of these is beriberi, which was often contracted in the past by sailors due a very poor diet aboard ship.
It is also thought that Thiamine can help to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Of course, you would also want to take a number of additional B vitamins to help with this. This supplement is known to help protect brain cells against damage caused by alcohol.
Thiamine Dosage:
The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B1, according to the FDA, is surprisingly low at just 1.2 mg per day. Pregnant and breast feeding women need slightly more, with an RDA of 1.4 mg. Most supplements are usually given in either 50 or 100 mg doses/pills.
These levels do appear to be safe, although some caution may still be in order. When beginning a new supplement program it is always advisable to talk with a doctor or qualified medical professional first.
Thiamine Side Effects:
Although Thiamine is considered to be safe and is generally very well-tolerated in healthy individuals as a supplement there is still the potential for side effects and interactions with existing medications.
The most commonly reported side effect is some relatively minor stomach upset, although even this is usually only present when the vitamin is taken in extremely high doses.
This supplement should also be used in combination with other important B complex vitamins in order to maintain a proper balance. There may also be potential interactions with diuretics and also certain types of heart medications such as Digoxin. If you are using any of these, be sure to check with your physician ahead of time.
Thiamine Review:
Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, is a great natural mood booster that can increase energy metabolism in the brain. If you are deficient in this vitamin, it can lead to difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and even depression.
As a nootropic, it is more common to use Sulbutiamine which is a stronger synthetic version of Thiamine, but even adding this vitamin to your supplement stack as it is can have a profound benefit. The best way to ensure you are getting enough Thiamine in your diet is to find a high quality B Complex vitamin that includes other important nutrients like B5, B6 and B12.
Article last updated on: March 17th, 2018 by Nootriment
