Thaimine - VItamin B1

Thiamine or thiamin, rarely called as aneurin is a vitamin of complex which is water soluble. Synthesis of Thiamine takes place in fungi, plants, and bacteria. Thiamine is a water soluble, colorless compound. It can also dissolve in methanol and glycerol. It is insoluble in ethers, benzene, acetone and chloroform.

Thiamine deficiency causes beri beri in animals. In the worst case, the deficiency affects the cardio vascular system and the peripheral nervous systems. In a comparatively less severe case, deficiency leads to malaise, irritability, confusion and weight loss. Thiamine, though in low concentrations, can be found in a range of food items. Thiamine is most found in pork, yeast, and cereal grains. Refined grains contain lesser Thiamine than whole grains. Flax, eggs oatmeal’s, whole grain, rice, brown rice, asparagus, cauliflower, liver, oranges, kale and sunflower seed also contain thiamine.

When phosphates and pyro phosphatase react together in the small intestine, Thiamine is released. Absorption of Thiamine takes place by passive diffusion in the case of high concentration. Then in the case of low concentration, the absorption process is mediated. Human body needs Thiamine as Thiamine dependent enzymes and these vitamin derivatives are present in almost all the cells. Therefore Thiamine deficiency affects all the organ systems adversely. The two worst hit of them all are the nervous system and the heart through their oxidative mechanism. Deficiency of Thiamine leads to nuero degeneration and even death.

Alcoholism, HIV aids, persistent vomiting, gastro intestinal disease and malnutrition can cause Thiamine deficiency. Thiamine deficiency leads to beri beri and wernicke-korfakoff syndrome. Beri beri is a cardio vascular and neurological disease. The three major types are dry, wet and infantile beri beri. The wernicke-korfakoff syndrome occurs when there is lack of Thiamine. It is a brain disorder. Chronic alcoholics are prone to the syndrome. Symptoms are staggering gait, reduced eye movements, agitation, abnormal eye movements. Deficiency in alcoholics is due to some reasons including decreased intake of Thiamine, inadequate nutritional intake, hepatic steatosis and impaired thiamine utilization. Though rare, genetic diseases of Thiamine are serious. Infants are mostly affected with Leigh diseases which fatal for life. Opsoplonic Cerebellopathy, Nigerian Seasonal Ataxia and Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy are the other disorders in which role of Thiamine cannot be fully eradicated. Thus vitamin B1 is found in plenty of foods in abundance and the correct intake of these vitamins will do a lot of good to the human system thus providing all the energy resources that is necessary to the efficient function of the body.