Why We Need this Vitamin
Why We Need this Vitamin
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is essential for numerous bodily processes.
For example it is necessary for protein, red blood cell, glucose (sugar),
immune and nervous system functions. It is also needed to produce
another vitamin called Niacin. Thiamine can be found in beans, poultry,
fortified cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The Recommended Dietary Allowance
for thiamine is 1.3 mg for men and women ages 19-50, 1.7mg for
men ages 51 and over, 1.5 mg for women ages 51 and over, and for
pregnant women of all ages is 1.9 mg. Deficiencies are rare in the United
States; however, certain people are at risk.
Older people and alcoholics may develop thiamine deficiency due to
lack of dietary variety or a general decrease in appetite or food intake.
Chronic alcohol ingestion also leads to the destruction of thiamine in the
body. Children who take theophylline for asthma may need thiamine
supplements, because it can lead to loss of thiamine. People taking the
drug isoniazid for the treatment of tuberculosis should take thiamine
supplements because isoniazid decreases the activity of the vitamin in
the body.