2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is a member of the vitamin B family and is best known for its role in preventing nutrient-deficient beriberi. Beri-beri disease literally means "weakness" and was widespread (especially in some parts of Asia) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In its most common form, the disease is characterized by muscle weakness, lack of energy and inactivity.
Functions of vitamin B1
In the first place, thiamine plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, as well as in the synthesis of nucleic acids.
Energy production. The cells in the body depend on sugar as an energy source. When oxygen is used to convert sugar into usable energy, the process of generating energy is called aerobic energy production. This process cannot take place without adequate supplies of vitamin B1because B1 is part of an enzyme system called the pyruvate dehydrogenase system that allows oxygen to process sugar.
When vitamin B1 operates in its energy - production capacity, it usually occurs in the form of TDP or thiamine diphosphate. Other forms of vitamin B1 are CCI (thiamine pyrophosphate) and TMP (thiamine monophosphate), which also play an important role in energy production.
Nervous system support. Vitamin B1 also plays a key role in supporting the nervous system, where it allows the healthy development of fat-like coatings that surround most nerves (called myelin sheaths). In the absence of vitamin B1, these coatings can degenerate or be damaged. Pain, prickly sensations, and numbness of the nerves are associated with nerve symptoms that can result from vitamin B1 deficiency.
Another type of link between vitamin B1 and the nervous system involves its role in the production of the acetylcholine molecule. This molecule, called a neurotransmitter, is used by the nervous system to carry messages between nerves and muscles.
Vitamin B1 deficiency
One of the first symptoms of deficiency vitamin B1 is the loss of appetite (or so-called anorexia), which reflects indifference and malaise.
The inability of the nervous system to ensure proper muscle tone in the digestive system can lead to upset stomach or constipation and muscle sensitivity.
Other symptoms related to nerve dysfunction are also associated with thiamine deficiency, as myelin sheaths of nerves cannot be properly formed without an adequate amount of thiamine. These symptoms include prickly sensations or stiffness, especially in the legs.
Vitamin B1 is highly unstable and is easily destroyed by heat, acidity (pH) and other chemicals. Both sulfur compounds and nitrites can inactivate vitamin B1. Long-term freezing of thiamine-containing foods can also lead to significant losses of this vitamin.
The leading risk factor for deficit of vitamin B1 is alcoholism. In fact, the link between alcoholism, heart disease and vitamin B1 deficiency is extremely close. Chronic alcoholics have to take doses of thiamine 10 to 100 times higher than usual.
Large consumers of coffee and tea may also be at increased risk of vitamin B1 deficiency, as these beverages act as diuretics and remove both water and water-soluble vitamins (such as B1) from the body. The need for vitamin B1 increases in the presence of chronic stress, chronic diarrhea, chronic fever and smoking. People with such health problems may need to take doses of thiamine 5 to 10 times the normal amount.
Continuous diuretics, including the drug furosemide (Lasix); birth control pills (oral contraceptives); antibiotics and sulfonamides reduce the presence of vitamin B1 in the body.
Vitamin B1 overdose
Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin, so there is no risk of overdose. It is excreted from the body due to urine.
Benefits of vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 may play an important role in the prevention and / or treatment of the following diseases: alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, heart failure, depression, epilepsy, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and others.
Most supplements contain vitamin B1 in a non-biologically active form called thiamine hydrochloride. When B1 is active in the body's metabolic pathways, it is usually found in the form of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), thiamine monophosphate (TMP) or thiamine diphosphate (TDP).
Sources of vitamin B1
Very good source of vitamin B1 are: asparagus, lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, sunflower seeds, tuna, green peas, tomatoes, eggplant and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin B1 is also found in lean pork fillet, noodles, saffron nuts, parsley, peppers, flaxseed, sunflower flour, corn flour and coriander.
It can also be obtained in the form of various supplements. Given that it works in conjunction with other members of the group of B-vitamins, he usually has to drink a supplement form that includes all of them.
Recommended:
Vitamin B-complex
The organic nature of all types of vitamins makes them an indispensable ingredient for a full human life. Vitamins are not produced and synthesized in the human body, which is of great importance and should focus on their supply. Vitamin B-complex contains all important vitamins from this group in an optimal amount.
From Which Foods To Get Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron, maintain healthy tissues and a strong immune system. He is a strong ally in our attempts to avoid the common cold. The recommended daily dose of vitamin C for men is 90 g, for women is 75 g and for children is 50 mg.
Vitamin C
Due to its widespread use as a dietary supplement, Vitamin C is extremely well known to the general public, compared to other nutrients. It is also the first thing we reach for in the treatment of colds and flu. Vitamin C , also called ascorbic acid, dissolves in water nutrients that are easily excreted when not needed.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 is part of the vitamin B complex and is also known as riboflavin. The whole group includes micronutrients that are important for boosting metabolism in the human body and are fundamental to the basic diet. Vitamin B2 plays an extremely important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, as well as in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
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