Thiamine: Improving Mental Performance With Vitamin B-1

2009 July 1
by Jack

Vitamin B-1, commonly called Thiamine, is a member of the B group of vitamins. It’s an important vitamin that helps improve the overall health of the body. Without proper amounts of Thiamine, the body can not operate as efficiently as it should. Thiamine is primarily responsible for helping the body to convert carbohydrates into energy.

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B-1 is 1.5 mg per day. There is no danger in increasing the dosage of Thiamine and some research has shown that dosages up to 50 mg per day actually leads to an increase in mental acumen. Because of this research, some people take extra dosages of Vitamin B-1 in an effort to improve their mental performance.

Vitamin B-1 helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy and is commonly found in whole grains, dried beans, meats and fortified bread products. Lesser amounts are found in fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Most people receive enough Thiamine in their diets through eating the foods they normally eat, though sometimes supplements are needed.

Vitamin B-1 shows promise in the treatment of diabetes. In fact, people who have taken high doses of Thiamine have found that their type 2 diabetes may be easier to control. This is because of Thiamine’s natural action in converting carbohydrates into energy. Evidence also points to Thiamine’s use in helping people improve their mental performance.

In order to keep your body healthy and efficiently convert the carbohydrates in your diet to energy, it’s important to maintain a proper intake of Vitamin B-1. If you do not get enough Thiamine in your natural diet, it’s important to take proper supplements.