Vitamin B1               Anti-neurotic factor

Chemical Name: Thiamine (Aneurin)

Recommended Daily Allowance: (FDA) .5 mg for infants,

1.5 mg for adults,

1.7 mg for pregnant and lactating women

Physiological Effects: Involved in carbohydrate metabolism.  Helps maintain healthy nervous system.  Stabilizes appetite.  Aids intelligence and learning.  Reduces cholesterol levels.  Promotes growth, aids digestion, helps regulate heart.

Deficiency Disorders: Heart irregularity, myocardial lesions, polyneuritis (Beri Beri) which is characterized by muscular atrophy, cardiovascular changes and edema. Gastro-intestinal difficulties, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of neurological reflexes and emotional instability may also occur.  Retardation of growth, cold sores, increase in noise and pain sensitivity.

Natural Sources: Yeast, whole grain, milk, wheat germ and bran, black strap molasses, beef, peanuts, pork, avocados legumes, nuts.

Synergistic Substances: Other B complex vitamins, Vitamin C and E, manganese and sulfur, folic acid.

Antagonistic Substances: Diuretics, heat, air, water, alcohol, sugar, smoking, various drugs, tea, coffee, vigorous exercise.  Oral contraceptives may cause thiamine deficiency.  Lack of other vitamins may also interfere with thiamine metabolism. Older women need more thiamine. Aspirin, Indocin, stress.