Major Functions
Essential, water-soluble vitamin - Processing food into energy - Needed by every tissue in the body
In every dose
30mg (equal to 20 bowls of fortified cereal or 100 mussels)
Fighting Talk
Untreated thiamine deficiency, (although this is rare) could result in delirium and brain damage and higher risks of depression. It’s also being tested, with promising results on the cognitive function of Alzheimer’s patients.
What’s in it for my brain?
Thiamine is needed for normal brain and nervous system function, and could play an important role in mental health.
Fringe benefits
Essential for energy release
Used by every cell in the body
Plays well with
B1 is available through diet, but mostly from animal sources, so those on a plant-based diet benefit from supplementation. To optimise the release of energy, it’s best to consume B1 with other B vitamins.
Clever stuff
In a study that supplemented thiamine alongside antidepressants, symptoms were alleviated faster.
Evidence
Here’s a handful of relevant scientific studies on vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Lu’o’ng, K. V. Q., & Nguyễn, L. T. H. (2011). Role of thiamine in Alzheimer's disease. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias®, 26(8), 588-598.
Ghaleiha, A., Davari, H., Jahangard, L., Haghighi, M., Ahmadpanah, M., Seifrabie, M. A., ... & Brand, S. (2016). Adjuvant thiamine improved standard treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: results from a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 266(8), 695-702.
Zhang, G., Ding, H., Chen, H., Ye, X., Li, H., Lin, X., & Ke, Z. (2013). Thiamine nutritional status and depressive symptoms are inversely associated among older Chinese adults. The Journal of nutrition, 143(1), 53-58.