| The first of the B-vitamins to be discovered; water-soluble and like
other B-vitamins, it is not appreciably stored and, therefore, must
be supplied daily; required by every cell in the body to make ATP
- the fuel and energy source for the body; helps convert carbohydrates
into energy; produces hydrochloric acid which aids in digestion; metabolizes
fats and proteins; plays a major role in the conversion of blood sugar
(glucose) into biological energy; necessary for the maintenance of
nerve function, nerve tissues and nerve transmission; important for
the maintenance of muscular function, especially the heart; and is
required for the synthesis of acetylcholine which is the primary neurotransmitter
involved in memory and thought processes. In addition, beriberi is
the classical B1 deficiency syndrome, resulting from a vitamin B1
deficiency. It is more prevalent in Asian countries where polished
rice is the staple diet. When beriberi occurs in the U.S., it is most
commonly seen in severely malnourished infants and elderly people.
A vitamin B1
deficiency could be a contributing cause of alcoholism, anorexia,
beriberi, chronic dieting, constipation, depression, edema, fatigue,
heart palpitation, impaired muscular coordination, indigestion,
irritability, loss of appetite, loss of energy, loss of memory,
loss of reflexes in legs, mental confusion, muscle weakness, nerve
damage (numbness and tingling of the hands and/or feet), psychological
stress, rapid pulse rate, sore calf muscles and weight loss. Low
blood pressure and dizziness are also possible symptoms of a vitamin
B1 deficiency. A U.S. Department of Agriculture study reports that
vitamin B1 is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, with
45% of Americans consuming less than the RDA. In addition, alcohol
interferes with the absorption of vitamin B1 and the vitamin is
also necessary for the metabolism of alcohol. Severe deficiency
associated with alcohol consumption produces a condition known as
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, with symptoms ranging from mild confusion
to severely impaired cognitive function, memory function and coma.
Pharmaceutical
drugs that can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency include aminoglycosides,
bumetanide, cephalosporins, chlortetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline,
ethacrynic acid, fluoroquinolones, furosemide, macrolides, minocycline,
oxytetracycline, penicillins, phenytoin, sulfonamides, tetracyclines,
torsemide and trimethoprim.
Dietary sources
richest in vitamin B1 (per serving) include brewer's yeast, enriched
grains and grain products, legumes (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans),
nutritional supplements, nutritional yeasts, organ meats, pork,
rice bran and wheat germ. Excessive ingestion of certain raw fresh-water
fish and shellfish, blueberries, coffee, red cabbage and tea should
be avoided, as these foods may contain anti-thiamin factors. In
addition, vitamin B1 is easily destroyed or lost during cooking
because it is heat-sensitive and water-soluble.
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