If you’re looking for the best thiamine supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place.
You can also get more info by jumping to our Thiamine Supplements Guide.
Top 10 Thiamine Supplements
#1 | Solgar – Vitamin B1 | More Info | |
#2 | NOW Foods Vitamin B1 | More Info | |
#3 | BulkSupplements Pure Thiamine HCL | More Info | |
#4 | Nature Made Vitamin B1 | More Info | |
#5 | Source Naturals Vitamin B1 | More Info | |
#6 | Swanson Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | More Info | |
#7 | Solaray B1 Supplement | More Info | |
#8 | Mason Vitamins B1 | More Info | |
#9 | Nutricost Vitamin B1 | More Info | |
#10 | Seeking Health Thiamine | More Info |
Thiamine Supplements Guide
Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin which is also known as Vitamin B1. It plays a crucial role in the metabolism of starch and sugar to produce energy. Apart from its role in the metabolism, Thiamine is also essential for maintaining a healthy digestive and nervous system.
A deficiency of this vital nutrient in the diet can cause chronic fatigue, weakness, weight loss and constipation. A chronic deficiency can also cause tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet. Recent research has shown that low levels of Thiamine may contribute to depression and accelerate dementia in Alzheimer’s disease. Dietary supplementation of Thiamine can prevent the deficiency related health risks of this critical vitamin.
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at Thiamine supplements and their role in maintaining health.
What Are Thiamine Supplements
Thiamine supplements are available as in the form of tablets or capsules that are taken orally. Most supplements on the market contain Thiamine either in the form of a Hydrochloride salt or a Mononitrate salt. Both these forms of Thiamine are easy to absorb when taken orally and hence equal in potency.
Thiamine supplements are available without a prescription. However, we would recommend that you discuss with your health care provider before starting with dietary Thiamine supplements. It is also important that you stick with the dosage suggested on the label. Avoid using higher or lower dosage than recommended on the label or by your healthcare provider.
Benefits of Thiamine Supplements
Thiamine supplements provide some health benefits. Thiamine supplements prevent chronic deficiency of the vitamin associated with a lack of dietary consumption or slow absorption. Some of the most significant health benefits of thiamine include the following.
- Preventing brain damage in Thiamine deficiency
Vitamin B1 deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies among people who consume excess alcohol. Alcohol can reduce the absorption of Thiamine from dietary sources and can lead to chronic deficiency. One of the most common effects of Thiamine deficiency among people abusing alcohol is called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. It results in nerve damage, poor muscle coordination and memory loss.
Dietary supplementation of Thiamine can decrease the risk this disorder in people abusing alcohol or people who are not getting enough Thiamine through their diet. Between 30-80% of people abusing alcohol may suffer from chronic Thiamine deficiency. Oral Thiamine supplements can prevent brain related issued in these people.
- Improving digestive and metabolic health
Thiamine is an essential component of carbohydrate metabolism. It is required for the proper metabolism of sugar and starch. In the case of a deficiency of Thiamine, the body is not able to provide adequate energy through metabolism. The result is a feeling of weakness, excessive fatigue, and weight loss. Thiamine supplements can prevent this deficiency and boost energy levels.
Thiamine is also required for the proper functioning of the digestive system. People having mild to moderate Thiamine deficiency can develop constipation and other gastric problems. Regular thiamine supplementation can help your digestive system to stay healthy and prevent gastric problems.
- Preventing Thiamine deficiency in heart patients
People with heart failure are often on medications called Diuretics. These drugs get rid of the excess fluid in the body and decrease the pressure on the heart. However, as Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin, these drugs cause Thiamine to be eliminated from the body as well. Hence, people taking Diuretics are at a risk of developing Thiamine deficiency.
Thiamine supplements can prevent deficiency in such individuals. Preliminary data suggests that taking regular consumption of Thiamine supplements can help people on diuretics. If you take these drugs to manage hypertension or heart condition, Thiamine supplements can help prevent deficiency.
- Helping Depression and stress
Thiamine is also known as the “anti-stress” vitamin and for a good reason. Some scientific studies have shown that dietary supplementation of Thiamine at high doses can reduce the anxiety. Patients receiving up to 250mg Thiamine per day were found to have decreased anxiety in a clinical study.
In a recent survey, Thiamine deficiency was also linked to the development of depression disorders. The study concluded that low levels of Thiamine could increase the risk of depression. People abusing alcohol are more susceptible to depression due to Thiamine deficiency.
- Acting as mosquito repellent
Some studies have shown that dietary supplementation of Vitamin B1 can reduce mosquito bites. High levels of Thiamine in the bloodstream can serve as a natural mosquito repellent. However, the mechanism of this phenomenon is not completely understood.
- Reducing the risk of cataracts
Dietary supplements containing Thiamine have been shown to lessen the risk of developing cataracts. People with high amounts of vitamins in their diets including Thiamine have a lower risk of developing cataracts.
Are There any Side Effects?
Thiamine is very safe to use. It has no known side effects, even at very high doses. As a matter of fact, The National Academy of Science does not have a tolerable upper dose of Thiamine. However, extremely high doses of Thiamine can cause a mild stomach ache. Still, we recommend that you should consult with your physician before starting any dietary supplements including Thiamine.
There are sporadic reports of rare allergic reactions and skin irritations associated with Thiamine supplementation. If you are allergic to B-Vitamins, avoid using Thiamine supplements. Thiamine is also safe to be taken during pregnancy and lactation when taken at low dosages. However, the effect of high doses of Thiamine on pregnancy and lactation are not known. If you are pregnant or lactating, consult with your physician before starting Thiamine supplements.
How to Take Thiamine Supplements
As we just saw, Thiamine is a very safe vitamin when taken orally. Most of the Thiamine supplements available in the market are either in the form of tablets or capsules to be taken orally with a glass of water.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Thiamine in adults is 1.2mg per day and 1.2mg per day in case of males and females respectively. However, the Thiamine supplements available in the market have a much higher dose. Most Thiamine supplements in the market contain between 100mg to 250 mg Thiamine per dose.
Thiamine supplements should not be taken with coffee. Some phytochemicals present in coffee, called tannins, can interfere with the absorption of Thiamine from supplements.
What to Look for in a Good Thiamine Supplement
As we saw, most Thiamine supplements on the market are available in the form of tablets or capsules. Although there are some Thiamine supplements on the market, there are certain things you should consider before buying a Thiamine supplement.
- The dose
The dose of Thiamine in the supplement that you are buying is an important factor you should consider before buying. The typical dose of Thiamine per tablet or capsule is between 100mg to 250mg. Both of these doses are safe and efficient. As the recommended dose of Thiamine is much lower, it is not worth paying the extra money for a higher dose tablet or capsule. For most people, 100mg per capsule is a sufficient dose.
- Form of Thiamine
Thiamine in used in the form of either a Hydrochloride salt or a Mononitrate salt in most supplements. Although both salts have the same potency, the Mononitrate salt is much more stable to atmospheric moisture compared to the Hydrochloride Salt. If you are buying a Thiamine supplement as a tablet, it is better to look for the Mononitrate form. As capsules can resist moisture, the Hydrochloride salt is okay if you are buying capsules.
- Other additives
Commercially available Thiamine capsules and tablets contain many additives fillers. Some of these additives and fillers may cause allergies as well. Hence, it is important to know the additives in the Thiamine supplement you are buying. Some of the additives to look for include the following.
- Lactose: Some Thiamine capsules and tablets contain Lactose as a filler. If you are lactose intolerant, you should avoid brands containing this additive. Some alternatives of lactose include calcium carbonate and rice flour.
- Gluten: Gluten is a known allergen and if you are allergic to gluten, look for Thiamine tablets and capsules that are gluten-free.
- Gelatin: Capsule shells of some of the Thiamine supplements can contain gelatin. However, there are many options available that replace gelatin with plant cellulose which is vegan. Capsules made from cellulose are ideal for people on a vegan or vegetarian diet.
- Artificial colors and preservatives: Some tablets and capsules may contain artificial colors and preservatives such as parabens. If you are allergic to parabens, make a point of avoiding such products. Some Thiamine supplements on the market are available that do not contain any artificial colors and preservatives.
The post 10 Best Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Supplements – Ranked & Reviewed for 2017 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.
from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-thiamine-supplements/
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