Thiamin

Thiamin or Thiamine also known as Vitamin B1, is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement. As a supplement it is used to treat and prevent thiamine deficiency and disorders that result from it, including beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy. Other uses include maple syrup urine disease and Leigh's disease. It is taken by mouth or by injection.

Sources

Thiamin is found in a wide variety of foods at low concentrations. Yeast, yeast extract, and pork are the most highly concentrated sources of thiamin. Some other foods rich in thiamin are oatmeal, flax, and sunflower seeds, brown rice, whole grain rye, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver (beef, pork, and chicken), and eggs.

Function

Thiamin plays a crucial role in certain metabolic reactions. Your body needs it to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which every cell of the body uses for energy.

Deficiency

Thiamin deficiency can cause a number of health problems, including beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy. Symptoms of deficiency include weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, weakness and pain in the limbs, periods of irregular heartbeat, and edema (swelling of bodily tissues). Heart failure and death can occur in advanced cases. Chronic thiamin deficiency can also cause permanent brain damage.

See also

• Vitamin B1
• Beriberi
• Wernicke's encephalopathy
• Maple syrup urine disease
• Leigh's disease

Thiamin Resources
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