Vitamin B1: An Important Link In Diabetes Chain

Vitamin B1 is needed to process carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Every cell of the body requires vitamin B1 for proper digestion of food. It is essential in converting blood sugar into energy, as well as improving the muscle tone of the stomach, intestines, and heart. It is also essential in helping to control appetite.

Studies have shown that excess blood sugar can damage cells, especially those lining blood vessels. People with poorly controlled diabetes have an excess of sugar in their blood.

Insulin is the enzyme that unlocks the cells of the body so that glucose carried by the blood can be used for energy. When you eat carbohydrates, your blood sugar rises. This increase triggers a release of insulin from cells in the pancreas called beta cells. This mechanism is faulty in people with diabetes and hence the carbohydrate digestion is not smooth.

The basic problem in type1 diabetes is that the pancreas quits making insulin. In type 2, it either doesn't make enough or something interferes with the action of the insulin that is made. The end result is that the blood sugar is not properly converted to provide the fuel for the functioning of the cells. This condition might be prevented by administering vitamin supplements like synthetic derivative of vitamin B1, or so believe the researchers.

All carbohydrate foods are healthy for a diabetic. However, the body digests some carbohydrates very slowly. These have the best effect on blood glucose levels. Therefore, a diabetic must learn to prefer slow acting carbohydrates. It is in this context that one must know more about vitamin B1, which aids in the process of digesting carbohydrate.

The major natural sources of Vitamin B1 are:

• Whole wheat
• Peas
• Beans
• Enriched flour
• Fish and meat
• Peanuts

The table below shows a list of food items and the amount of Vitamin B1 present in given quantities.

Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B-complex group and vitamin C, travel through the bloodstream.

Women are recommended 1.1 milligrams of thiamine intake every day and men, 1.5 milligrams every day. But the need for thiamine increases as the daily calorie intake rises. A daily intake of 0.5 milligrams of thiamine for every 1000 calories eaten is recommended for all ages.

The need for thiamine also increases with body weight and the amount of the vitamin synthesized in the intestinal tract. There is no danger in taking large doses since it is a water-soluable vitamin and is not stored in the body.

Vitamin B1 Deficiency

A decline in vitamin B1 levels occurs with age, irrespective of medical condition. Deficiency is most commonly found in alcoholics, people with malabsorption conditions, and those eating a poor diet. It is also common in children with congenital heart disease.

People with chronic fatigue syndrome may also be deficient in vitamin B1. Individuals undergoing regular kidney dialysis may develop severe vitamin B1 deficiency resulting in potentially fatal complications. Persons receiving dialysis should discuss the need for vitamin B1 supplementation with their physician.