Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
vitamin
ApprovedGeneral information about nutrients. No diagnosis, no medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Overview
Water-soluble B vitamin. Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
Interactions
Thiamine pyrophosphate (the active form of B1) requires Mg²⁺ as a cofactor in pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase — key enzymes in energy metabolism.
Top 5 food sources
Expert opinions
Dr. Strunz
Strunz calls thiamin (B1) the 'motor vitamin'. Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. He rarely supplements it alone, always as part of a full B-complex, because the eight B vitamins share enzymes and transporters. For high-carbohydrate diets he favors benfotiamine (a fat-soluble thiamin derivative) at 50 to 100 mg, since according to him it reaches nerve tissue better than thiamin HCl. Lab tests: transketolase activity or whole-blood thiamin pyrophosphate.
Recommended dose: 50–100 mg
Source: Dr. Strunz
Expert profiles summarise publicly available statements. The named people do not cooperate with Stackwell and have not authorised these summaries. Not medical advice.
Water-soluble with low toxicity risk. Higher doses well tolerated.