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Vitamin B-1 (thiamine)

B Vitamins are a group of 8 water soluble vitamins that are essential for certain bodily functions, such as metabolism, energy production, and nervous system function.

Vitamin B-1 (thiamine): Required for the production of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism and therefore involved in providing energy to the brain from the food you eat. This vitamin helps to stabilize moods and aids with memory. The body uses thiamine to make adenosine triphosphate which transports energy within cells. There are no risk factors associated with thiamine consumption. Food sources include: pork, poultry, peas, nuts, soybeans, dried beans, lentils, legumes, whole grains, bread, rice, and yeast.

Thiamine deficiency can be increased by certain practices such as: drinking excessive amounts of coffee and tea, chewing tea leaves or betel leaves, and eating raw fish and shellfish. Thiamine deficiency is rare and can cause health problems such as Beriberi (a condition that affects breathing, eye movements, heart function, and alertness), and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (where Wernicke’s disease affects the nervous system causing visual impairments, lack of muscle coordination, and mental decline, and Korsakoff syndrome permanently impairs memory functions in the brain. A main cause of such deficiencies is alcoholism.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Recommended dietary allowance for Vitamin B-1

Infants 0-6 months 0.2mg
Infants 7-12 months 0.3mg
Children 1-3 years 0.5mg
Children 4-8 years 0.6mg
Girls 9-13 years 0.9mg
Boys 9-13 years 0.9mg
Girls 14-18 years 1.0mg
Boys 14 years or older 1.2mg
Women over 18 years 1.1mg
Pregnant women 1.4mg
Breastfeeding women 1.5mg

REFERENCES