The Surprising Benefits of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Most people have heard about the B-complex vitamins and how good they are for your body, but do you know why vitamin B1 is important? Aside from its well-known effects, such as turning food into energy, it has some surprising benefits that could enhance your life. Below, we explore these benefits, what deficiency looks like, and how to get enough of it.
Known Health Benefits of Vitamin B1
Builds Healthy Metabolism
Vitamin B1 helps the body create ATP, the main energy-carrying molecule, which helps in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, the body’s preferred source of energy. It also helps in the breakdown of proteins and fats, which is necessary for a healthy metabolism.
Boosts Immunity
Some people call vitamin B1 an anti-stress supplement. This is because it helps strengthen the immune system. It can also help to improve the body’s ability to withstand stressful conditions.
Maintaining muscle tone in the digestive tract, where much of the immune system is located, is crucial for vitamin B1 absorption, which in turn enables the body to derive more nutrients from food, which is then used to boost immunity.
Protects the Brain
Vitamin B1 helps bridge the gap between the brain and the body, defending against a form of brain damage called Cerebellar Syndrome. It also aids in the development of the myelin sheath, which is a protective coat that wraps around nerves to protect them from damage. It is also famous for improving brain function such as concentration power and memory.
Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
The antioxidant properties of vitamin B1 can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Research suggests that a healthy number of antioxidants could improve the prognosis of this condition, which is caused by free radical damage.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Our entire cardiovascular system relies on vitamin B1 to run efficiently and remain healthy. Thiamine is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health as it is necessary for the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This is used to relay messages between the nerves and muscles and to ensure proper cardiac function.
If you have a lack of vitamin B1 in your body, you may suffer from irregular cardiac function. Research also shows that intravenous administration of vitamin B1 can prevent heart disease.
Supports Eye Health
Vitamin B1 has been found to benefit ocular health as it is thought to prevent glaucoma and cataracts. It is believed that by stimulating the back-and-forth relaying of messages, it can prevent the occurrence of damage to the optic nerve.
Surprising Additional Benefits of Vitamin B1
Newer research has revealed more exciting benefits that Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, can offer you. These surprising benefits go beyond the already impressive health benefits listed above. It turns out thiamine can repel mosquitoes and help reduce your sugar cravings!
Can Thiamine Help with Sugar Cravings?
Vitamin B1, as an essential nutrient, plays a key role in our body’s ability to turn sugar into energy. A deficiency in vitamin B1 may lead to some specific symptoms that may affect our daily life.
When the body lacks enough vitamin B1, it can lead to low blood sugar symptoms. Some people may feel anxious or irritable, while others may experience an increase in PMS symptoms. But one of the most common symptoms of a vitamin B1 deficiency is an intense craving for sugar.
This is because our body needs vitamin B1 to properly metabolize carbohydrates, and without it, our cells don’t have enough energy to function properly. This can lead to an increased appetite for sugary foods as a way to get that energy quickly!
Logically, then, adequate levels of thiamine in the body through the daily intake of a diet rich in B1 can help reduce your sugar cravings!
Can Thiamine Repel Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are a common nuisance around the world, and they can also transmit diseases. In the past, insecticides were used to control mosquitoes, but these chemicals have been found to have negative effects on human health. A new approach to self-protection has emerged, which involves applying topical pharmaceutical products, known as insect repellents, to exposed skin to repel mosquitoes.
Currently, the most widely used insect repellent is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). But this chemical has been linked to severe adverse reactions, such as encephalopathy in children and urticaria syndrome. As a result, researchers have turned to using natural products, such as volatile and essential oils, as alternatives to DEET. However, these oils have a short duration of action and can cause allergic reactions.
A new study on Thiamine and Mosquitoes has found that Thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1) has repellent properties against mosquitoes. The study consisted of 8 healthy adult participants, who applied Thiamine hydrochloride solution at different concentrations to their skin.
The results showed that Thiamine hydrochloride was safe and well-tolerated, and that increasing concentrations of the solution corresponded to a decrease in the number of mosquito bites and an increase in protection against the insects. The study concluded, yes, concentrations of Thiamine hydrochloride can significantly repel mosquitoes.
What is Thiamine Deficiency?
The common signs and symptoms of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, also known as beriberi, can include fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, confusion, irritability, and difficulty coordinating muscle movements. In advanced cases, the deficiency can lead to heart failure, memory loss, and severe nerve damage.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a severe form of thiamine deficiency that can occur in chronic alcoholics who have a poor diet, which commonly leads to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with muscle coordination. If you are experiencing cardiovascular symptoms, brain disorders, muscle cramps, sugar cravings, or other symptoms, it is important to see a medical professional.
How to Tell If You Have Thiamine Deficiency?
You can use a lab test to detect a deficiency in vitamin B1. It’s called the anion gap, and it’s used to test for metabolic acidosis. The anion gap can be calculated by measuring the levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide in our blood. If the anion gap is elevated, it may indicate a metabolic acidosis, which can be caused by a deficiency in vitamin B1.
It’s worth noting that while craving sugar or alcohol is one of the most common symptoms of being thiamine deficient, it is not only limited to these symptoms. The deficiency can also manifest itself in a variety of other ways, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, or nerve damage.
It’s always best to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to determine if you have a deficiency, and how to address it. The deficiency can be treated with vitamin B1 supplement or in more severe cases, with thiamine injections. With proper treatment, symptoms should improve, and blood sugar levels will return to normal.
How to Get the Right Amount of Thiamine in Your Body
The best way to get the right amount of thiamine in your body is to eat a balanced diet that includes foods that are rich in thiamine. Good dietary sources of thiamine include:
- Whole grains, such as bread, pasta, and cereal made from whole wheat, brown rice, and other whole grains
- Legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas
- Nuts and seeds
- Pork and other lean meats
- Eggs
- Milk and milk products
Note that the bioavailability of thiamine in plant-based sources (whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) can vary depending on factors such as cooking methods, processing, and the presence of other nutrients or compounds in the food. Besides dietary sources, thiamine supplements are also available over the counter. It is, however, important to talk to a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to absorb thiamine, or if you are at risk for deficiency, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a thiamine supplement. Note that alcohol consumption is known to affect the absorption of thiamine and also excessive consumption can cause thiamine deficiency.
Did you know that our mosquito patches use Thiamine as the sole active ingredient? Thiamine is well absorbed through the skin via our patches. You can get Mozzie Skin Patches today and enjoy the benefits of this vitamin along with less buzzing and biting.
