What is Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is one of the many vitamins that we need to stay healthy. It belongs to the group of B vitamins which contain 8 vitamins in total. Collection of these vitamins is called B-complex, which can be found at your local drug stores.

Thiamine plays various roles in our body, but its major role is to convert carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose is then converted into ATP, which is the energy currency for our cells. Vitamins of B complex play a similar role in our body, they help us feel energetic. since the major function of these vitamins is to help produce energy, this benefit is quite obvious. But, vitamin B also provide many other health benefits, such as healthy live, skin, hair and eyes.

Another important feature of this vitamin is its ability to dissolve in water. This property of thiamine is termed water-solubility. So what does that mean for us? It means that our body is unable to store thiamine in our body and all the leftover is flushed out of body. Vitamins B and C are the only ones that are water soluble, all others are water-insoluble and can be stored in our body for longer durations.

Vitamin B1 is also referred to as the "anti-stress" vitamins because of its ability to help an individual withstand stressful conditions. It does it my strengthening the immune system.

Thiamine is found in both plants and animal sources. There are many foods rich in thiamine that you can consume to prevent any deficiencies from occurring. Thiamine deficiencies are however very rare and are found mostly in alcohol abusers.

How can you determine if you are thiamine deficient? You can look for the following deficiency symptoms. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency in most people include fatigue, irritability, depression, and abdominal pain or some sort of discomfort. It is recommended that you visit your doctor for regular check-ups to ensure you remain healthy and prevent any deficiencies at early stage.

In conclusion, thiamine is an important vitamin for our brain. Although the deficiencies are rare, we still need to look out for deficiency symptoms and get medical help whenever deemed necessary. To remain healthy, we also need to make sure that we are not missing other essential vitamins. A good diet, rich in all the nutrients, is necessary to remain healthy and enjoy peaceful life.

References:
www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b1-000333.htm