Vitamins: A Health Overview

Vitamins are an essential substance for the proper functioning of the body. All vitamins are organic compounds, typically utilized by the body for specific metabolic reactions. The absence of vitamins in adequate amounts can lead to a variety of conditions, dependent upon the particular vitamin and individual circumstances.

Thiamin: An Introduction

Thiamin or thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is required for proper maintenance and function of the body’s biological systems. Thiamin is a known cofactor for a variety of enzymes. The catalysis of biological reactions within the body is not possible without the presence of both enzymes and their necessary cofactors. Catalysis is defined as the acceleration of reactions, however, catalysis can not begin or stop reactions. The presence of a catalyst may act to stimulate the acceleration of a specific reaction, while the absence of the catalyst will act to decrease overall reaction rates to normal levels.

There do exist other mechanisms for stopping and starting reactions within the body. This control is essential to every biological system within the body. As frequent acceleration and deceleration of reactions is a necessity within the biological systems in the process of energy production.

Thiamin: Intake

The recommended dietary intake of vitamins is important as a standard. A healthy adult females require approximately 1.1 milligrams per day of thiamin. Presently, there are no differences in the recommended daily intake amounts of adolescent females or older adult females in comparison. It is important to remember that these requirements are only averages provided as a guideline in the form of recommended daily intake levels.

Averages are averages, and are not to be taken as a complete standard, as they do not take into account individual differences. Your individual needs may be different from the recommended daily intake, as there do exist a variety of individual factors that effect these needs including genetics, age, lifestyle, diet, and specific location.

Thiamin: Health Benefits

Thiamin is particularly noted to be involved with the treatment of specific conditions. It is particularly noted to aid in the prevention of specific diseases, however, scientific research continues in an attempt to provide more evidence proving these correlations. Findings are preliminary.

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: It is known that thiamin deficiencies is strongly correlated with the development of these conditions.
• Cataracts: Studies have shown decreased development of cataracts in individuals with prolonged adequate thiamin intakes.
• Congestive Heart Failure: It has been noted that there is an increase in overall survival rate of CHF patients when thiamin is included as an adjunct to other medications and therapies.
• Cancer: Thiamin deficiencies have been identified in a variety of cancer patients.

Thiamin Supplementation

Thiamin is available as a nutritional supplement. The majority of nutritional supplements are available in the form of a multivitamin. The multivitamin is a supplement, that when used in addition to a healthy lifestyle and dietary intake, can improve overall general health. It is important to remember that multivitamins are available to supplement diets, not correct inadequate or unhealthy diets.

Find a great daily vitamin here.

Sources:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/thiamin/
http://mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-b1/NS_patient-thiamin