Thiamine is the first vitamin in the B-complex family. It has a molecular formula of C12H17N4OS+Cl-.HCl and is an extremely important vitamin that is involved in many numerous cellular activities. It is naturally occurring in many fungi, bacterium and plants, but can be manufactured synthetically and is often sold as a supplement. Natural sources include whole wheat, peas, fish, peanuts and meat, but yeast and pork contain the densest quantities of thiamine.
Dosage
Most countries have an RDA (Reference Daily Intake) of thiamine at 1.4mg a day. The RDA is easily covered via any healthy diet. However, some report that dosages of up to 50 mg can result in increased mental agility and acuity. The only way to receive such high dosages are through thiamine supplements, which can be found in most markets.
Deficiency
Because thiamine is found in all cells across the body, a thiamine deficiency affects many parts of the body. However, the most affected organs in the body are the heart and the nervous system. Common symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency are extreme eye fatigue, weakness, sleepiness, and irritability. Common medical afflictions are beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which are also common in alcoholics due to the nature in which alcoholics are commonly deficient in vitamin B1.
Beriberi
Beriberi is an extremely common nervous system ailment that affects those deficient of thiamine. It has become rarer in modern times due to the enrichment of common food ingredients, but can still be seen occasionally. The symptoms are: weight loss, pain and weakness in the limbs, impaired sensory perception, and irregular heart rate. The treatment is extremely simple: injections or tablets of a vitamin B1 supplement (often including B2 and B3). Recovery is often noticeable with several hours.