Vitamin B1 (also called thiamine) is soluble in water and needs to be replenished daily, as are other vitamins in the B vitamin complex. Vitamin B-1 is also called a moral vitamin because of its effects on the nervous system and mental behavior. Vitamin B1 is involved in normal energy-producing metabolic processes, contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, the maintenance of normal psychological function, and the proper functioning of the heart.

Vitamin B1 for the normal functioning of the nervous system

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is soluble in water and needs to be replenished daily, as are the vitamins in other B vitamin complexes. Vitamin B1 is also called a moral vitamin because of its effects on the nervous system and mental behavior.

Many B vitamins play a catalytic role in the structure of neurotransmitters and neurons.

• Thiamine is involved in normal energy-producing metabolic processes.
• Thiamine contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.
• It contributes to the maintenance of normal psychological function.
• It also contributes to the proper functioning of the heart.

If taken continuously, it can cause vitamin C deficiency, so it is advisable to use it in proportion.

Although vitamin B1 has many useful properties, it is typically found as an ingredient in B-complex formulations or high quality multivitamins. Because members of the B-vitamin family work together more effectively than individually, if you are deficient in thiamine, it is still worth taking it as a supplement to at least one B-complex preparation.

A little history

Polish biochemist Kazimierz Funk was the first developer of the vitamin concept. In 1904 he received his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Bern. After graduating, he first worked at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and then did laboratory experiments at the Lister Institute in London (1910).
He devoted his research to the isolation of a hitherto unknown substance found in brown rice. In 1912, he succeeded in producing this substance from rice bran, and since the substance contained an amino group, he named it vita amine (vitamin), combining the name from the words vita (life) and amine (nitrogen-containing compound). (The letter “e” at the end of the word was later omitted when researchers discovered that vitamins may not necessarily be nitrogen-only amines.) In the naming system that developed years later, this vitamin became vtamine B-1 (Thiamine).

B vitamins work better together. So if you want vitamin B-1, take some of the other B vitamins along with it.