Thiamine is found in the bran and germ of whole grains. Polishing, or refining, rice in the early 1800s led to the discovery of this important vitamin. Both people and fowl fed a diet high in refined white rice developed beriberi, a neurological disorder resulting in heart damage and death.

In the United States, processed flour and rice must be fortified with thiamine and other vitamins to help prevent beriberi and other deficiency diseases. Pork and yeast are naturally rich sources of thiamine. Other foods that contain thiamine are oatmeal, flax, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver and egg yolks.

Thiamine deficiency remains rare in the United States when a varied diet is eaten. However, deficiency can occur with malabsorption from gastrointestinal disorders such as Celiac Disease and Crohn’s Disease. Deficiency may also occur in HIV-AIDS and alcoholism. Early signs of deficiency may include weakness or spasms of the leg muscles, lethargy (sluggishness) and loss of appetite. Some research has shown that diabetics expel thiamine at a much greater rate than non-diabetics, which may be linked to some diabetic complications.

Alcohol  consumption interferes with the absorption of thiamine, and the severe thiamin deficiency that occurs in chronic alcohol abuse results in a condition called Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome, or wet brain. Signs of this can include vision changes, loss of muscle coordination, impaired memory and ultimately death.

Consuming a multivitamin and/or a B-complex vitamin with thiamin is a good idea for those at risk of thiamine deficiency.

To see if supplements are right for you, schedule your personal nutrition consultation today and start getting sound nutrition advice.