Thiamin supports many essential functions in the body: energy (ATP) production, blood sugar regulation, carbohydrate breakdown, muscle recovery, and cognitive function.^†

Thiamin deficiency has been shown to cause delirium and extreme muscle fatigue. Chronic alcohol consumption can contribute to severe thiamin deficiency and brain dysfunction. This condition is known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Seeking Health’s Thiamin provides a potent 50 mg serving of thiamine hydrochloride per vegan-friendly capsule. The benefits of thiamin supplementation are well documented. Thiamin supports the following:^†

• Healthy thiamin levels: Vitamin B1 levels may be low in the general population. This is because, unlike other B vitamins, thiamin cannot be produced by gut bacteria. Much of the thiamin in the body takes the active form, thiamin diphosphate (TDP). Thiamine hydrochloride is eventually converted into the metabolically active form, TDP, in the body. Supplementation with a bioavailable form of vitamin B1, such as thiamin hydrochloride, may help to maintain healthy thiamin levels in the body.^†


• Blood glucose metabolism: Thiamin supports the metabolism of carbohydrates. It does this by serving as a coenzyme for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex enzymes (PDC) and the transketolase enzymes. These enzymes ultimately assist in turning glucose into acetyl CoA. This compound can enter the Krebs cycle to produce energy (ATP). Vitamin B1 (along with B2, B3, B5, and R-Lipoic acid) are all required as cofactors for the PDC to function (and thus for energy production and glucose regulation).^†


• Energy (ATP) production: As described above, thiamin supports energy production by serving as a coenzyme for the PDC. A similar enzyme (branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase or BCKDC) also uses thiamin as a coenzyme. The BCKDC enzyme assists in metabolizing the branched chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Like pyruvate dehydrogenase, BCKDC enzymes shuttle branched-chain amino acids into the Krebs cycle where they form the acetyl CoA and succinyl CoA that are readily used to make energy (ATP).^†


• Brain & nerves: Thiamin supports mental sharpness and healthy cognition. The brain and nerves are very sensitive to damage, particularly from the effects of low ATP levels coupled with high glucose levels. In addition to its role in energy production, thiamin supports the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA. The actions of the PDC and BCKDC enzymes ultimately help to clear glucose from the bloodstream. Thiamin is an essential coenzyme for these reactions to occur. The combined support of energy production (needed for nerve conduction) and healthy glucose levels is supportive to brain and nerve tissues. Elevated glucose levels have been repeatedly correlated to declines in cognitive function.^†


• Muscle function & recovery: Like the brain and nerves, muscle tissue contains an abundance of mitochondria. Via the PDC and BCKDC enzymes, muscles produce the energy they need to facilitate function and normal muscle repair. Thiamin is required for these processes to occur.^†


• Cardiovascular health: Like the brain, nerves, and muscles, the heart also contains numerous mitochondria. Wherever there are mitochondria, thiamin is needed to facilitate the conversion of glucose into energy via the PDC and BCKDC enzymes.^†