Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 (also called Thiamin) works with the other B-group vitamins to help us obtain energy from the food we eat.
Where do I find vitamin B1?
- Vitamin B1 is found in many foods including, vegetables, fresh and dried fruit, eggs, wholegrain bread, liver, beans, brewer’s yeast and some fortified breakfast cereals.
- Men should take in 1mg a day, and women 0.8mg.
Why do I need vitamin B1?
Thiamin helps to break down and release energy from the food we eat. It is also plays an important role in keeping our nerves and muscle tissue healthy.
Vitamin B1 is also thought to be good for keeping hair and nails in tip-top condition.
How will I know if I am lacking in vitamin B1?
Very little thiamin is stored in the body but most people get what they need through their daily diet.
A thiamin deficiency can can cause peripheral neuropathy - a condition of the central nervous system that causes muscle weakness, tingling and numbness in the feet and hands and shooting pains.
Can vitamin B1 ever be harmful?
There is insufficient evidence to link vitamin B1 to harm but health experts do not recommend doses higher than 100mg a day.