5 Medical Disorders that Result Due to Thiamine Deficiency

Thiamine play an important role in maintaining healthy nervous system and may prevent many diseases from occurring. We have already learnt what thiamine is in previous posts. If you haven't feel free to check out this article which briefly describes what thiamine is.

As we know, thiamine deficiencies are rare but they do occur. Especially in individuals who abuse alcohol. If such deficiencies are not taken care of with consumption of adequate thiamine rich foods, many medical disorders may result.

The purpose of this article is to look at what medical diseases or problems occur due to thiamine deficiency. Deficiencies that result because of thiamine can be easily treated with thiamine (vitamin B1) supplementation. It is recommended that you do not start taking vitamin supplementation without professional help. It is very important to also determine any underlying or related conditions which may also need treatment.

1. Beriberi
   So the first condition that results due to thiamine deficiency, which we are going to look at, is called Beriberi. It is a nervous system ailment that people in the developed countries don't usually get. Our foods, cereals and breads are fortified with vitamin B1, so deficiency rarely occurs. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, some of the symptoms of beriberi include confusion, swelling, troubled breathing because of fluid in the lungs and nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements).
2. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
   This disease is characterized by the nerve damage in both the central and peripheral nervous system and memory loss. It is a most common disorder that results due to the overuse of alcohol. Treatments usually include injections in vein or muscle, or administration via mouth to control the symptoms as much as possible. The memory loss caused by deficiency is mostly non-reversible and thiamine supplementation doesn't always improve memory.
   An individual affected with this condition should start consuming good diet which is rich in thiamine and all other vitamins and stop drinking alcohol to prevent further brain damage. If you are a heavy drinker and are deciding to quit alcohol all of a sudden, it is advised that you do it with the suggestions of your physical. Suddenly stopping alcohol usage may result in variable alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
3. Cataracts
   The lens of our eye is made up of protein, and when the chemical markup of lens changes, cataracts result. Basically, cataract is termed when the lens become cloudy due to the chemical changes of the lens proteins. A cloudy lens does not allow the light rays to pass properly and rays are distorted as a result. Light is then unable to focus on retina because of the distortion, resulting in poor, blurred or double vision. Recent research suggests that thiamine reduces the chances of developing cataracts. For individuals with cataracts, surgery is an option where the old damaged lens is replaced with a new lens.  
4. Alzheimer's Disease
   Another disease of the brain. Thiamine as we know it, may cause dementia in patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Therefore, scientists thought that thiamine might be able to help those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, but results were not conclusive. Also, people undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are at increased risk for emergence of Alzheimer's disease.
5. Heart failure
   Vitamin B1 is known to keep your heart healthy as well. People with heart diseases do sometimes take diuretics, pills that help their body get rid of extra fluids. Since vitamin B1 is water-soluble, it is lost in that process as well. As a result, vitamin B1 supply diminishes in the body and other medical disorders start to come up over time.

In conclusion, vitamin B1 is important to keep your brain healthy and prevent unwanted and irreversible damaged from occurring. People who drink alcohol more than usual need to keep an eye on their vitamin B1 levels in blood via regular blood works. Multivitamin tablets usually provide enough thiamine to prevent deficiencies, but you should start them after consulting your physician. You should also try to consume foods that are rich in thiamine.

Sources:
www.umm.edu/ency/article/000771trt.htm
www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b1-000333.htm
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cata.html
www.bu.edu/alzresearch/