This vitamin was first developed when it is realized by fed a diet of cooked polished rice developed neurological problems which are now called beri-beri. This vitamin is also known as anti-neurological and anti-beriberi factor.

DATS of Vitamin B1

DATS (DIGESTION, ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE) OF VITAMIN-B1 thiamin

Sources:

Thiamin is widely distributed in foods including meat, legumes, whole grains, fortified grains, enrich grains and breads.

Yeast, wheat and soy milk also contain significant amount. In supplements it is present as thiamin mono nitrate salts, or as thiamin hydrochloride.

RDA (recommended dietary allowances):

The recommended dietary allowances are different for the individuals of different age groups. RDA for males, females and children are:

Gender

RDA

Men

1.2mili gram

Women

1.1mili gram

Children

0.3-0.4mili gram

 

Functions of vitamin B1 in Human body:

Vitamin B1 performs many important roles in human body these are:

  • It performs a very vital role in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates to yield energy.
  • It is needed for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
  • It is also necessary for normal appetite and good health.

DATS (digestion, absorption, transportation and storage) of vitamin B1:

Digestion:

In plants thiamin exist in free forms. However, in animals about 95% of thiamin exist as phosphorylated primary form of which is thiamin pyro phosphorylate or thiamin dephosphorylate. Intestinal phosphatases hydrolyzes the thiamin diphosphatases to free form.

Absorption:

Absorption of thiamin are thought to be higher from foods however anti absorption factors may also be present like thiaminases present in raw fish catalyzes the cleavage of thiamin. However, these thiaminases are thermolabile. Heating may destroy these anti absorption factors. Other anti thiamin factors include polyhydroxy phenols present in coffee, tea, nuts and certain fruits and vegetables.

Absorption of thiamin primarily occurs in the jejunum with lesser amount absorb in the duodenum and ileum. Absorption may be both active and passive depend on concentration.

Free thiamin non phosphorylated absorb into the intestinal mucosal cells however, after absorption it may be phosphorylated.

Transportation:

For transportation of thiamin sodium dependent transporter is used. Two sodium dependent transporters from SLC19 gene family has been characterized. The protein carriers are called ThTr1 and ThTr2. Both of these transporters are found in a variety of tissues including the intestine and kidney. Thiamin in blood are found either in its free form bound to albumin or also found as TMP.

Storage:

Although thiamin is a water soluble vitamin and it does not store in human body but most of the thiamin present in blood is stored within the blood cells. In red blood cells most thiamin exists as TDP and free thiamin. Small concentration are present in liver, skeletal muscles, heart, kidney and brain. In fact skeletal muscles are thought to contain about half of the body’s thiamin. In liver the free form of thiamin is phosphorylated and converted to TDP ( thiamin diphosphate 80% ) and TTP ( thiamin tri phosphate 10% ).

Deficiency:

Deficiency of vitamin B1 leads to Beri Beri. There are different forms of Beri-beri. Three forms of beri-beri are:

  1. Dry Beri-beri: abdominal epigastric region pain, nausea and vomiting.
  2. Wet Beri-beri: gradually loss of power of limb, develops edema.
  3. Chronic Beri-beri: paralysis in the lower extremities.

Toxicity:

No toxicity has been detected.