- What is Vitamin B1?
Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is an important coenzyme that helps the body convert food into energy. It also assists in manufacturing fat and metabolizing protein. Thiamin is necessary to maintain normal function in the nervous system. - Benefits of Vitamin B1
Thiamin plays a part in the chain of reactions that provides energy for the body. It is thought to be beneficial for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and older adults with mental impairment. It may also improve the mental function of epilepsy sufferers who take the drug phenytoin. - Foods That Contain Vitamin B1
Most foods contain only very small amounts of thiamin. However, it can be found in "enriched" foods such as breads and cereals. Thiamin occurs naturally in pork, oysters, green peas, and lima beans. - Vitamin B1 Deficiency
A thiamin deficiency leads to beriberi, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease. "Dry beriberi" is characterized by numbness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and disorders of the nervous system. "Wet beriberi" causes fluid accumulation and can lead to heart failure.
- Vitamin A, or retinol, plays a vital role in vision. Learn more in How Vitamin A Works.
- In How Vitamin B2 Works, read about how B2, or riboflavin, works in concert with its B-complex relatives to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Vitamin B3, or niacin, acts as a coenzyme, assisting other substances in the conversion of food into energy. Learn more in How Vitamin B3 Works.
- Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, can be found in all living cells and in all foods. Learn about its importance to your diet in How Vitamin B5 Works.
- Vitamin B6 is actually three substances, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxal, that work to metabolize protein and amino acids. Read more in How Vitamin B6 Works.
- To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
- If you're looking for the best prices on B vitamins, click here.
