Vitamin B1
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Form: Thiamin (Thiamin Hydrochloride)
Food source: Peas, bananas, oranges, nuts, sunflower seeds, black beans and whole grains. Also in pork, liver meats, salmon, mussels.
Benefits of Vitamin B1
- Energy
- Mental performance
- Neurological health
- Supports nervous system
- Pregnancy support
What is Vitamin B1?
The first B Vitamin to be discovered, Vitamin B1 is used in pretty much every tissue in the body as well as supporting five key enzymes that are important in energy metabolism, making it essential for cell development. Not getting enough Vitamin B1 in your diet will leave you fatigued, irritable and can damage your nerves, impairing the movement of your arms and legs.
Like all B Vitamins, B1 plays an important role in converting the food we eat into energy that we can use throughout the day. The enzymes that it supports metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins for use in our body’s cells. This is why a lack of B1 and other B Vitamins can leave you feeling tired and lacking energy as the day goes on. This energy is used in all the cells in our body, so a lack of B1 will inhibit their growth and development - affecting a range of systems in the body including the functioning of the brain and nervous system. Discover ‘How to beat chronic fatigue’ and ‘Foods to help increase energy and reduce stress’. You may also be interested in ‘Best alternatives to caffeine’.
Thiamine plays a key role in metabolising glucose, which is the main fuel of the nervous system. This is why severe deficiencies in Vitamin B1 can result in confusion and problems with balancing and walking. So getting the right amount of Vitamin B1 in your diet contributes to normal psychological function and mental performance, as well as the health of your nervous system. Discover if you're gaining the right nutrients in your diet by creating your free online Diet Profile today - it only takes 3 minutes.
These neurological functions mean that Vitamin B1 is very important during pregnancy. Increased amounts are required both to sustain the mother’s normal brain function and nervous system, as well as being required for the development of the baby’s brain. You may enjoy reading ‘A nutritionist recommended pregnancy diet guide’.
