Vitamin B1 also called as thiamine is one of the eight vitamins that make up the powerful group called as the Vitamin B complex. Like all of the B vitamins this nutrient plays a great role in the good health of the body as well as a sound mental health. Proper care and caution should always be considered when it comes to taking in these nutrients especially when it comes to dosages as some may tend to overdose which is never really a good thing and is actually quite as bad as not having any at all.
Vitamin B1 serves many purposes in the body. It is an essential part of converting carbohydrates to energy and necessary to the proper functioning of the nervous system, the heart and the musculature system of the body. Thiamine is very important to the brain particularly in terms of emotional health and well being as well as being useful for focus and concentration.
There are a variety of physical conditions and diseases associated with deficiencies in Vitamin B1. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness and a lack of physical coordination particularly in the larger muscle masses that make up the leg muscles. A deficiency in thiamine can cause enlargement of the heart which can itself lead to congestive heart failure and lung congestion. A severe deficiency in Vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage, brain damage and even death. Mental symptoms associated with a serious lack of Vitamin B include fatigue, psychosis and confusion.
These are a few serious diseases specifically associated with a deficiency of Vitamin B1 including the notorious beriberi disease. There are also two specific types of brain damage associated with severely low levels of Vitamin B1. One is the Korsakoff syndrome which results in confusion and short term memory loss. Another is the Wernicke's Disease which has symptoms that include vision disturbances and irregularities, an unsteady walk and mental confusion.
Despite the obvious importance of Vitamin B1 to many of the body's important functions a great deal of people regularly fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels of this vitamin. Alcoholics are particularly vulnerable to being deficient in Vitamin B1 because alcohol ruins the B vitamins. Illnesses that force bodily fluids out from the body such as chronic diarrhea can deplete the body's levels of thiamine because it is a water-soluble vitamin and the body needs to have its steady supply renewed every day. There are also rare conditions that interfere with the body's ability to use Vitamin B1 properly.
Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and effective way to consistently meet the recommended daily intake levels of Vitamin B1. It is especially important however, when taking supplements to use them with care and attention because taking too much Vitamin B1 can cause adverse side effects and even serious health problems. As with all substances there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Moderation is always key. While there are certain health situations that do call for higher than average doses of this powerful B vitamin high dosages should only be taken while under the direct supervision of a qualified health care professional. Like any other medication or dietary supplement Vitamin B1 supplements should always be kept well out of the reach of children.
------------------------- Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes. -------------------------
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/
tidy up service Glenview ..HGH is produced naturally, in everyone, by the pituitary gland.... Read More
The real benefits of Vitamin E may surprise you. First... Read More
In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More
It is clearly evident that hyaluronic acid in its oral... Read More
Minerals are essential nutrients that serve the body in many... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
In September 2004 Orange County, California published an article "OC... Read More
You've probably been eating blueberries since you were a little... Read More
Are the new Argireline Wrinkle Relaxing Creams as effective as... Read More
Nutritional vitamin fiber supplements come in a variety of types,... Read More
I came across an article written by Dr. Ray Strand,... Read More
When I first started down this path I was looking... Read More
Every day, it seems like we are living in an... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
One of the questions that I frequently get asked is... Read More
The last year hasn't been a good one for vitamin... Read More
Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More
It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and... Read More
Did you know that when we breath oxygen, it interacts... Read More
I'm a great believer in natural tonics to strengthen or... Read More
Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the... Read More
Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
You may feel 30, but your body keeps reminding you... Read More
The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate... Read More
Vitamin B6 plays a facilitating role in the immune system... Read More
If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of... Read More
Nitric oxide is a free form gas produced by the... Read More
Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
Whey proteins drinks, especially shakes, are available in a variety... Read More
Does this describe you: You walk into the living room... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and... Read More
In a 2002 study, a group of researchers used oral... Read More
At the rate it's going, Saw Palmetto will soon be... Read More
Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More
One of the questions that I frequently get asked is... Read More
How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More
Diet Supplement ? when are they used?Why diet supplement is... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
Your body produces over 20 separate digestive enzymes that are... Read More
While America has given birth to the song "Young at... Read More
"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More
L glutamine is an amino acid occurring abundantly within the... Read More
Because whey protein products have a wide variety of uses... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |