Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Vitamin B1
- Thiamine
- Thiamin
- Aneurin (historical name)

Latin Name: N/A (synthetic vitamin)

Category: Vitamin

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Prevention and treatment of beriberi - Asia, particularly where polished rice became a dietary staple (19th-20th century)
• Support for alcoholics and malnourished populations - Western medicine (early 20th century)
• General tonic for weakness and fatigue - Various cultures throughout history

Modern Uses

• Energy Production & Fatigue - Essential cofactor in cellular energy metabolism; deficiency leads to fatigue, weakness, and reduced stamina | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Even young healthy individuals showed increased energy levels and alertness from 50mg thiamine supplementation; elderly patients showed improved energy and reduced fatigue at 10mg daily

• Source citations: Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

• Diabetic Neuropathy - Helps relieve symptoms of numbness, tingling (pins and needles), and burning sensations in nerve disorders | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Benfotiamine (fat-soluble B1) has been used in Europe for decades to prevent and slow progression of diabetic nerve, kidney, and retinal disease; shown to help relieve diabetic neuropathy symptoms

• Source citations: Colbert, Don - Reversing Diabetes; Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins; Merck Manual Home Health Handbook

• Cognitive Function & Mood - Supports mental clarity, memory, and emotional well-being | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: People with low thiamine levels are more likely to suffer from depression; supplementation improved mood, making people feel more calm, agreeable, clear-headed, and energetic; 50mg improved memory in healthy adults; 20mg for 3 months improved memory in older people

• Source citations: Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

• Cardiovascular Support - Essential for normal heart function; deficiency can cause heart abnormalities | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Thiamine supplementation improved left ventricular function in patients with congestive heart failure receiving long-term furosemide (diuretic) therapy

• Source citations: Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing; Merck Manual Home Health Handbook

• Alcohol Withdrawal Support - Helps reduce emotional and psychological symptoms during alcohol withdrawal | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Chronic alcohol use interferes with thiamine metabolism and absorption; thiamine deficiency in alcoholics causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; supplementation is critical during withdrawal

• Source citations: Merck Manual Home Health Handbook; Weil, Andrew - Eating Well for Optimum Health

• Sleep Quality - May improve sleep patterns in elderly individuals | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: 10mg helped people over 65 enjoy better quality sleep
• Source citations: Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) - The active coenzyme form; essential for carbohydrate metabolism enzymes including pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
- Thiamine triphosphate - Involved in nerve membrane function and electrical signal transmission
- Benfotiamine - Fat-soluble synthetic derivative with superior bioavailability; can enter cells more easily than water-soluble forms

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Tablets, capsules
- Amount: 1.1-1.4 mg per day (RDA)
- Frequency: Once daily, typically as part of a B-complex

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Tablets, capsules, or injection (for severe deficiency)
- Amount: 10-100 mg per day
- Purpose: Neuropathy (50-100mg), mood/energy support (10-50mg), memory enhancement in elderly (20-50mg), alcohol withdrawal (high doses, medically supervised)
- Duration: Several weeks to months depending on condition; ongoing for chronic conditions

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: No established upper limit (excess is readily excreted in urine)
- Warning threshold: Non-toxic as water-soluble; however, medical supervision recommended for doses above 100mg long-term

Bioavailability Notes:
- Water-soluble thiamine has limited absorption
- Benfotiamine (fat-soluble form) has significantly better bioavailability and tissue penetration
- Absorption requires adequate stomach acid
- Best absorbed between meals

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- Best absorbed with or between meals
- If taking for energy, morning is often preferred
- Take consistently at the same time daily

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. B-Complex Vitamins - B vitamins work synergistically; B1 is typically taken as part of a complete B-complex for optimal effectiveness
2. Magnesium - Helps the body process and utilize thiamine; often given alongside thiamine in clinical settings
3. Alpha-Lipoic Acid - Combined with benfotiamine for enhanced support in diabetic neuropathy
4. Garlic - Greatly increases the body's absorption of vitamin B1

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Horsetail (raw/unprocessed) - Contains thiaminase enzyme that destroys thiamine; processed tinctures and fluidextracts are safe as heat neutralizes the enzyme

Drug Interactions:
1. Loop Diuretics (Furosemide/Lasix) - Long-term use depletes thiamine; supplementation may be needed | Severity: Moderate
2. Anticonvulsants (Phenobarbital, others) - May deplete B vitamins including thiamine | Severity: Moderate
3. Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy - May interfere with thiamine metabolism | Severity: Moderate
4. Digoxin - High-dose thiamine may affect digoxin activity | Severity: Mild

Food Interactions:
- Coffee and tea - Destroy thiamine; heavy consumption can lead to deficiency
- Alcohol - Interferes with thiamine absorption and metabolism; primary cause of deficiency in developed countries
- Raw fish and shellfish - Contain thiaminase enzyme that destroys thiamine
- Refined carbohydrates and sugar - Increase thiamine requirements while providing none

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- No absolute contraindications at standard doses
- Use caution with injectable forms (rare allergic reactions reported)

Side Effects:
- Rare at oral doses (water-soluble, excess excreted in urine)
- Very high doses may occasionally cause sweating, restlessness, or allergic reactions
- Injectable forms carry higher risk of allergic reactions

Long-Term Use:
- Considered safe for long-term use
- No accumulation in body tissues
- Monitoring not typically required
- No cycling needed

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Safe at recommended doses; deficiency can cause problems
- Surgery: No special precautions needed
- Alcohol use: Increased requirements; supplementation strongly recommended for regular drinkers
- Elderly: Often have low intakes; benefit from supplementation
- Vegetarians/Vegans: May need supplementation if diet low in fortified foods

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Energy production, nerve function support, diabetic neuropathy, cardiovascular health, cognitive function and mood

Secondary: Alcohol withdrawal support, sleep quality improvement, pain threshold support, immune function (T-cell production), appetite support in elderly

Sources

Local Library:
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins
- Merck - The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook
- Colbert, Don - Reversing Diabetes
- Moyad, Mark - The Supplement Handbook
- Bartram, Thomas - Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Osbourne, Peter - No Grain, No Pain
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- Brighten, Jolene - Beyond the Pill
- Wilen, Lydia - Healing Remedies
- Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing
- Weil, Andrew - Eating Well for Optimum Health
- Gaby, Alan R. - A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions

General Knowledge:
- Clinical nutrition databases
- Merck Manual professional references