Most people have heard about vitamin B-1, but they are probably unaware that it has two other widely used names: thiamine and aneurin. The most commonly used word in the United States is thiamin, while the term aneurin is used in Europe.

Insufficient amounts of vitamin B-1 can cause severe health effects. The most well known vitamin B-1 deficiency disease is beriberi, which can cause heart failure, and brain and nerve damage. In the later stages of the disease, a patient may have a difficult time moving, but with just one injection of B-1, the patient often is able to get up and walk again.

Fortunately, it is easy to get thiamine in the diet in foods such as pork, peanuts, whole grains and beans and other legumes, as well as many other foods.

High incidences of beriberi occur in Asian countries, where hull striped white rice is a staple food. In developed countries, beriberi is seen mainly in alcoholics.

Early symptoms of thiamine deficiency include irritability, fatigue, muscle aches, apathy, abdominal pain, drowsiness and poor concentration. Progressive symptoms include vomiting, itchiness, blue skin color, numbness, memory loss, rapid heart beat and heart failure.

At-risk groups include alcoholics, dialysis patients, HIV carriers and people prone to heart disease. A more thorough list of symptoms, at-risk groups and other information associated with B-1 deficiency can be found at http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic229.htm

Thiamine serves as an energy production system for every cell in the body by producing adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide that can store and transport chemical energy within cells. It must be continually replenished in the body since it is a water-soluble vitamin; an extra supply of the vitamin will not be absorbed into body tissue.

Vitamin B-1 is available at local health food stores and drug stores without a prescription. A B-1 deficiency usually is accompanied by a deficiency of other B vitamins and is therefore usually taken within a B-complex vitamin.

This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. Please consult your physician for all medical needs.