Vitamin B1, also known as Thiamine is one of the members of B-vitamin family. Like other B-vitamins, thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin. In other words, the body does not store it for a long time. It excretes through urine and hence you should take vitamin B1 daily to avoid its deficiency.
All B vitamins produce energy by converting the food into glucose which helps the body in metabolizing fats and protein. These vitamins are needed for keeping your skin, hair and eyes healthy. They even play a prominent role in proper functioning of nervous system as well as good functioning of brain.
Vitamin B1 strengthens your body’s immune system and helps you fight stressful conditions. And thus we can say that vitamin B1 or thiamine is anti-stress vitamin.
The main sources of thiamine are yeast, cereal grains, oatmeal, flax, and sunflower seeds, brown rice, whole grain rye, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver (beef, pork, and chicken), and eggs.
People who are deficient in thiamine can get diseases like beriberi, inflammation of the nerves outside the brain(diseases related to brain), pellagra, poor digestive problems, diarrhea, ulcers, canker sores, vision problems, poor immune system, motion sickness etc. So, in order to overcome these problems you have to take thiamine vitamin regularly.
Even some people take thiamine for maintaining positive mental attitude, increasing energy and preventing memory loss. Thus, vitamin B1 is essential for proper functioning of the body.