1. Introduction

2. What Are the Functions of Thiamine in Your Child’s Body?

3. Why do Children need Thiamine?

3.1 Supports immune functions

3.2 Improves brain health

3.3 Maintains cardiovascular health

3.4 Prevents cataracts

3.5 Improves digestive functions

3.6 Regulates sugar metabolism

4. What is Thiamine Deficiency?

4.1 Loss of appetite

4.2 Fatigue

4.3 Irritability

4.4 Reduced reflexes

4.5 Muscle weakness

4.6 Severe deficiency syndrome

5. How Much Thiamine Does Your Kid Need per Day?

6. Should you Give Your Child Vitamin B1 Supplements?

7. What Foods Contain Vitamin B1?

8. Risks and Side Effects of Thiamine

9. Summary

Introduction

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is part of the B-complex vitamin group and was the first B vitamin discovered, earning it the number one spot. A common question is, "Can I take vitamin B1 every day?" The answer is yes! Like other B vitamins, it is water-soluble, meaning it isn’t stored in the body, and any excess is eliminated through urine. This makes it crucial to include vitamin B1 in your family’s daily diet.

Thiamine is a sulfur-containing compound that dissolves in the blood before being transported throughout the body. Since the body cannot produce thiamine on its own, it must be obtained through diet or supplements.

Vitamin B1 is found in many foods like meat, nuts, grains, and beans. However, it is highly sensitive to heat, so overcooked, frozen, or processed foods often lack thiamine. Vitamin B1 is commonly combined with other B vitamins in B-complex supplements, which may include B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12 to support a balanced diet. (1)(2)

What does vitamin B1 do? Thiamine’s primary function is to support energy production by helping the body metabolize glucose. It also plays a vital role in nerve function and muscle contraction. Including thiamine in your children’s diet is essential, as it boosts energy levels, supports critical bodily functions, and helps prevent fatigue and weakness.(3)

What Are the Functions of Thiamine in Your Child’s Body?

Thiamine is absorbed in the small intestine via active and passive transport and converted in the jejunum to thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), its active coenzyme form. Once in the bloodstream, it circulates freely in red blood cells and plasma without carrier molecules. Unlike other nutrients, thiamine is minimally stored, with excess excreted in urine. (1)

Thiamine, often called the "morale vitamin," supports cardiac and neural functions, tissue health, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction. It helps break down carbohydrates into simple sugars and facilitates the metabolism of fats, proteins, and glucose to produce energy. Thiamine is also essential for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that powers the body’s cells. (4)

Why do Children need Thiamine?

Thiamine plays a vital role in your child’s development, supporting both physical and mental health. Key benefits include:

• Supports immune functions
• Improves brain health
• Maintains cardiovascular health
• Prevents cataracts
• Improves digestive functions
• Regulates sugar metabolism

Supports immune functions: Thiamine, known as an anti-stress nutrient, is vital for a healthy immune system. It boosts the activity of white blood cells, enhances antibody production, and increases the antibacterial action of blood serum. Thiamine also stimulates lysozymes, antibacterial agents found in tears, saliva, urine, and milk. Research shows that blocking thiamine impairs immune function, highlighting its essential role.(2)

Improves brain health: Thiamine is crucial for developing the myelin sheath, which protects neurons from damage. In your child’s brain, it supports both nerve cells and their supporting cells. Research shows that adequate thiamine intake can help prevent neurodegenerative disorders like ataxia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Studies also suggest thiamine deficiency is linked to ataxia, while long-term supplementation improves the condition. Additionally, reduced thiamine-dependent enzyme activity is observed in Alzheimer’s patients. Ensuring proper thiamine intake from an early age supports brain health and helps establish lifelong healthy habits. (2)

Maintains cardiovascular health: Vitamin B1 is essential for heart health, and its deficiency can lead to congestive heart failure. A review of 22 clinical trials found that thiamine supplementation significantly improved cardiac function in heart failure patients. Another study showed that thiamine enhanced blood flow from the left ventricle compared to a control group. (2)

Prevents cataracts: A recent study suggests that thiamine may reduce the risk of cataracts. While your child may not need to worry about this yet, it's important to understand the lifelong benefits of vitamins. B-complex vitamins, along with vitamins E and C, help protect the eye lens. Research shows that individuals who consume thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin A early in life are less likely to develop cataracts later. (2)

Improves digestive functions: Thiamine is vital for digestive health, helping strengthen the intestinal walls and prevent diarrhea in children. It also regulates hydrochloric acid (HCL) release in the stomach, supporting overall digestive function. (5)

Regulates sugar metabolism: Thiamine phosphate, the active form of thiamine, is crucial for glucose metabolism. Studies show that people with type 1 or 2 diabetes have thiamine levels 17-79% lower than normal. Increased thiamine intake may help reduce diabetes symptoms. If your child shows signs of diabetes, consult a physician before giving any supplements. (2)

What is Thiamine Deficiency?

Thiamine is a powerful neural antioxidant, and its deficiency can lead to various negative side effects in both kids and adults. Major causes of deficiency include:

• Inadequate dietary intake of thiamine
• Excess excretion or limited absorption of thiamine in your body due to certain conditions, such as abnormal use of certain medicines, alcohol dependence, and AIDS
• Excessive use of diuretics

What are the symptoms of low vitamin B1? It can be easy to miss the symptoms related to thiamine deficiency in your child. Common signs of vitamin B1 deficiency are:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Reduced reflexes
• Muscle weakness
• Severe deficiency syndrome

Loss of appetite: The first and most common symptom of thiamine deficiency is loss of appetite, which can even lead to anorexia. Thiamine plays a key role in regulating satiety, and its deficiency can disrupt the satiety center in the hypothalamus, causing your child to feel full even when they’re not. (6)

Fatigue: Fatigue, which can develop suddenly or gradually, is a common symptom of thiamine deficiency. Since vitamin B1 is crucial for energy production, ensure your child is getting enough B1 to help prevent tiredness and low energy. (7)

Irritability: Irritability, marked by frustration or agitation, is linked to thiamine deficiency, particularly in severe cases like Beriberi. Thiamine deficiency can make your child more prone to mood swings and irritability. (2)

Reduced reflexes: Thiamine deficiency affects motor nerves responsible for voluntary movement, leading to impaired reflexes and coordination. Research shows that insufficient B1 can impact walking and coordination in children. If left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the nervous system, affecting many body functions. (1)

Muscle weakness: While temporary muscle weakness is common, persistent weakness can signal thiamine deficiency. Studies show that both children and adults with thiamine deficiency often experience muscle weakness. (3)

Severe deficiency syndrome: Untreated vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to severe disorders like beriberi and other neural or brain abnormalities.

• Dry beriberi is a deficiency syndrome marked by partial paralysis, muscle wasting, and nerve abnormalities. Symptoms include burning sensations in the feet, mental confusion, vomiting, and leg cramps. (8)
• Wet beriberi impacts the cardiovascular system, weakening capillaries and causing abnormal heart rate, edema, and vasodilation. (8)
• Gastrointestinal beriberi causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and cramps. (8)
• Infantile beriberi, common in infants aged two to six months, is marked by vomiting, weight loss, pale skin, edema, diarrhea, and hoarseness. Immediate treatment is crucial, as its acute form can be fatal. (8)
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, leads to confusion, memory loss, and hallucinations. It’s most common in those with alcoholism, as excessive alcohol reduces thiamine availability to the brain. The disorder can also result from malnutrition or hereditary conditions affecting thiamine use. (8)

How Much Thiamine Does Your Kid Need per Day?

The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) by the Food and Nutrition Board provides recommended daily doses of vitamin B1 (thiamine). As a parent, you may wonder, "How much vitamin B1 should my child take?" Below are the recommended amounts for children, adolescents, and adults based on research. (1)

Should you Give Your Child Vitamin B1 Supplements?

Ensuring your child eats a variety of healthy, whole foods daily is the best way to provide enough vitamin B1. However, supplementation may be needed for picky eaters or those with deficiencies. A multivitamin can provide additional nutrients, or you can opt for standalone vitamin B1 or a B-complex supplement.

What Foods Contain Vitamin B1?

Thiamine is found in fish, whole grains, meat, and is often fortified in U.S. infant formulas, bread, and cereals. The most common sources are cereals, bread, and pork. Fruits and dairy contain small amounts. About half of the U.S. population gets thiamine from natural foods, while others rely on fortified products. (1)

Thiamine is heat-sensitive, and cooking can reduce its content. For example, bread has 30% less thiamine than its raw ingredients, and pasteurized milk loses 20%. Processing also affects thiamine levels, with white rice containing ten times less than brown rice, often leading to enrichment in processed products. (1)

So, to answer the question of, "How can I get vitamin B1 in my child's diet?", here is a list of foods that contain thiamine: (1)

Risks and Side Effects of Thiamine

Vitamin B1 is generally safe for kids when taken in recommended amounts and under a pediatrician's guidance. However, excessive intake can cause side effects like itching, sweating, nausea, pulmonary edema, skin discoloration, shortness of breath, weakness, allergic reactions, blurry vision, increased urination, abdominal cramps, excessive thirst, and vomiting. (1)

Always consult your child's doctor before giving supplements, especially if they are on other medications. While thiamine typically doesn't cause severe drug interactions, mild interactions have been reported with antibiotics like Azithromycin and Erythromycin. Sharing a list of your child's medications can help avoid potential side effects. (9)

Summary

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is vital for energy production, supporting your child’s cardiac, mental, and immune health. Deficiency can lead to serious conditions like beriberi, causing muscle and nerve issues. Symptoms of a deficiency include loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue, weakness, and delayed reflexes. Thiamine is found in various foods and can also be taken as a supplement.

References

1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets
2. https://www.healthline.com/health
3. https://medlineplus.gov
4. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins
5. https://medlineplus.gov/002401
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/thiamine
7. https://www.organicfacts.net
8. https://www.netmeds.com/deficiencies-and-toxicity
9. https://www.rxlist.com

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Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.