Vitamin B1 Benefits - Find Out All You Wanted To Know About Health Benefits of Thiamine

What are the vitamin B1 benefits? What are its food sources, deficiency symptoms and precautions on intake? How to choose a proper vitamin B1 thiamine supplement? Find out the answers here.

In the US, vitamin B1 is most often called as Thiamine, whereas in Europe it is widely known as Aneurin. Thiamine or vitamin B1 can be classified as a water-soluble vitamin. Our body stores this vitamin in very small amounts. Thus, vitamin B1 deficiency can occur in just around 14 days of non-intake.

Sources of Vitamin B1

The major vitamin B1 foods include cereals, Brown Rice, pork, liver, beans, breads, peanuts, sunflower seeds, egg yolk and seafood.

Important Vitamin B1 Information

Vitamin B1 is destroyed in the process of cooking, so it is recommended that food should be consumed raw or only lightly cooked for adequate vitamins B1 consumption.

Vitamin B1 Benefits

Vitamin B1 or thiamine plays a key role in our body in processing fats, proteins and carbohydrates. All the cells in our body require vitamin B1 for biosynthesis (or creation of body's fuel energy).

Among other vitamin B1 benefits is its role in the toning up and growth of muscles and proper functioning of the nervous system.

Vitamin B1 Deficiency Symptoms

The major symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency are:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• insomnia
• gastrointestinal problems
• irritability
• fatigue
• constipation
• enlarged liver
• edema
• forgetfulness
• tingling sensations
• numbness of feet and hands
• poor coordination
• severe weight loss
• weakness and soreness in muscles

The individuals that are most likely to suffer from vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency include:

• Those suffering from diabetes
• Those suffering from anemia
• Alcoholics
• Women taking birth control pills

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Precautions

There are no known side effects or toxicity symptoms associated with excessive intake of vitamin B1.

Although the normal mode of excretion of vitamin B1 in our body is through urine, in case of excessive dosage it is excreted through the skin, which can change the body odor.

Other Essential Vitamin B1 Information

For the proper functioning of vitamin B1, it requires the other B-group vitamins to be taken together. Therefore, when considering thiamine supplementation, it is suggested to take a comprehensive formula containing all the B-complex vitamins.

Although no mention exists in the medical literature available, the possibility of vitamin B1 interacting with certain types of prescription medications does exist.

Therefore, you should consult with your physician before you start supplementation if you are taking prescription medicines or if you are a pregnant woman or a nursing mother.

Tips on Choosing Vitamin B1 Thiamine Supplement

1) The nutritional supplements industry in the United States is largely unregulated. According to both private as well as government studies, it has been determined that consumers have only a 20% chance of buying a product that actually contains the ingredients in the amounts stated on the product labels.

Therefore, to ensure that you get exactly the amount of vitamin B1 that you paid for and that it is not contaminated, you should purchase only from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities. They are the most stringent manufacturing standards for nutritional supplements.

2) Purchase a vitamin B1 thiamine supplement that contains all other B-complex vitamins as well, as they work most effectively when taken together.

Your health depends on the kind of nutrients you take, so why not buy the best product?

A Comprehensive Product

Xtend-Life is a company that produces supplements which fulfill all the above mentioned requirements -- and more. It is based in New Zealand, which has among the strictest regulatory environments for the manufacture of nutritional supplements in the world. Its standards far exceed those of the US FDA.

Total Balance is the flagship formula of Xtend-Life. In addition to vitamin B1 Thiamine, it contains all the other B-complex vitamins plus a wide range of minerals, herbal extracts, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and speciality nutrients. In fact, Total Balance contains the vast majority of supplements that have been covered on this entire site!

We have been personally taking Total Balance since the last few years and have achieved excellent health benefits such as improvement in our energy levels, mental clarity and enhanced feeling of improved health and well-being.