Hello! Are you constantly feeling tired, without energy, or even with that strange tingling sensation in your hands and feet? What if I told you that these symptoms could be caused by a deficiency in a single vitamin?
And I'm not talking about the famous b12. Today, we're going to talk about vitamin B1, or thiamine – one of the most essential vitamins for our health, but which, surprisingly, many of us don't have enough of. This is such a powerful but often overlooked vitamin that can directly affect your nerves, brain, and heart.
Are you curious? Do you want to know what causes a lack of B1 and what are all the symptoms that a lack of it can cause? So stay until the end and find out.
But first: like the video, subscribe to the channel and activate the bell, so you don't miss important content like this. And tell me: Do you feel your feet burning or itching? Or do you have memory loss?
What part of Brazil or the world are you from? Write below! Let's go!
Did you know that vitamin B1 was the first vitamin to be discovered, in 1910? So it is! Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is essential for our body.
It helps transform carbohydrates from food into energy – into ATP. This process is especially important for the nervous system, which needs a lot of energy to function well. Without B1, the body has difficulty converting food into energy, which can make us more tired.
In addition to providing energy, B1 protects nerve cells. It keeps our nerves healthy and helps prevent problems like nerve pain and memory loss. Thiamine is also important for the heart.
It ensures that the heart has enough energy to pump blood around the body. When B1 is lacking, the heart can become weaker, causing shortness of breath, swelling and even more serious problems. Now, you may be wondering, 'But how can I become deficient in vitamin B1?
Let's find out the causes Diet Based on WHITE Rice – You see, at the end of the 19th century, a Dutch scientist was studying a strange disease called beriberi, which affected residents of Java. He noticed that chickens that also lived there, close to his laboratory, also developed a similar disease. After much research he concluded that there was something in unpolished rice that protected chickens against disease, and he called this substance the "anti-beriberi factor".
Years later, in 1910, Japanese scientist Umetaro Suzuki isolated thiamine - vitamin B1 as the key nutrient to prevent beriberi. The following year, an English scientist managed to crystallize this substance from rice husks and called it "vital-amine" – what we know today as vitamin – vitamin B1 to be more specific. So eating a lot of white rice could be the cause of b1 deficiency.
2nd cause=- Excessive Alcohol Consumption – which is very common in alcoholics. Alcohol interferes with the absorption and increases the elimination of vitamin B1, causing the body to lose this vitamin quickly. People who consume alcohol regularly are more vulnerable to B1 deficiency, and this even includes that little wine that many drink daily.
Processed Foods and Low Nutrient Diet – In addition to polished rice, processed foods such as white bread and pasta also quickly deplete B1 levels in the body. When these foods are processed, the thiamine is removed from them, creating a cycle where the more you consume them, the more B1 your body loses. Health Conditions such as Diabetes and Use of Diuretics – Those who frequently use diuretics – lasix, hydrochlorathiazide, indapamide – may be eliminating excess B1 in the urine.
Also if you are on dialysis or have diabetes — all of them eliminate B1 at an accelerated rate, increasing the need for constant replacement. 5,. Extra B1 Demands at Specific Times – During periods such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, when you sweat a lot—work hard, work out hard, or during chronic stress, the body needs more B1 to support the extra demands.
If this need is not met, symptoms soon begin to appear. Too Much Tea and Coffee – Surprisingly, even tea and coffee can be villains. These drinks contain enzymes called thiaminases, which destroy vitamin B1 in the body.
Those who overindulge in tea or coffee — drinking several cups a day may be eliminating B1 faster than they think. 7. Raw Fish and Sulfites – Certain foods can interfere with the absorption of B1, such as raw fish and sulfites present in foods such as wine and dried fruits.
Few people know that these elements can be hidden enemies of vitamin B1. 8/ People who have undergone intestinal surgery - such as bariatric surgery. Vitamin B1 is absorbed mainly in the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum and jejunum).
They alter or reduce the size of the stomach and intestinal tract, such as gastric bypass, can significantly compromise the body's ability to absorb this vitamin. Not to mention that these surgeries reduce the size of the stomach, which can also reduce nutrient consumption. Were you surprised by any of these factors?
Are you doing something wrong? Let's talk about the symptoms you might experience if your body needs more B1. The first signs of vitamin B1 deficiency may go unnoticed.
Irritability, loss of appetite and memory difficulties are common and easy to ignore. It may seem like an everyday thing, right? But as B1 deficiency worsens, symptoms become more serious and can profoundly affect your quality of life.
Let's look at some of these top 10 signs Nerve Pain: If you feel intense pain that runs down your legs or arms, this could be an early sign of B1 deficiency. This pain, called neuropathy, occurs because the lack of B1 directly affects the nerves. Tremors: Tremors in the hands or other parts of the body can also be caused by a lack of B1.
Anxiety and Sense of Despair: B1 is important for maintaining emotional balance. If you feel constant anxiety or a feeling that something bad is going to happen, a lack of this vitamin may be worsening these feelings. When you lack B1, your brain cells produce less energy, which can result in mental fatigue, irritability, and difficulty dealing with stress.
Depression: B1 is also linked to mental health. Low levels of this vitamin leave the brain vulnerable to stress and lack of energy, which can contribute to symptoms of depression. But why does this happen?
B1 deficiency can cause a buildup of oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system. These factors hinder the production and balance of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. When the brain cannot maintain this balance, it is common for symptoms such as anxiety, feelings of despair and pessimism to appear.
Lack of Focus and Concentration: Is it difficult to complete tasks or maintain focus? B1 deficiency may be affecting your daily performance, making it harder to concentrate and complete tasks. Racing Mind and Insomnia: If your mind races at bedtime and you have difficulty falling asleep, this could be a sign of B1 deficiency.
This vitamin helps the brain to slow down, promoting sleep. Restless Leg Syndrome and Lactic Acid Buildup: Waking up with the feeling that you need to move or pat your legs may indicate a lack of B1. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to the accumulation of lactic acid, contributing to restless legs syndrome.
Problems in the Autonomic Nervous System: B1 is essential for the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions such as digestion and heart rate. Deficiency of this vitamin can result in slow digestion, acid reflux, and other related problems. Burning in the Feet and Hands: Feeling burning or numbness in the extremities, stinging in the feet and hands.
. . it could be a sign that the nerves are suffering.
A lack of B1 affects peripheral nerves, causing these symptoms. 10 Vertigo and Vision Problems: B1 deficiency can affect the optic nerve, causing vision problems and vertigo. This symptom is especially common in people with diabetes.
And of course. . .
if you don't detect B1 deficiency in time, the symptoms can become even worse. serious. Let's see some of the most serious conditions caused by a lack of this vitamin: Beriberi- which was the disease of chickens and the inhabitants of Java.
what is that? There are 2 types of beriberi. Dr Beriberi: In this form of beriberi, the nervous system is the first to be affected.
If you're experiencing tingling or numbness in your feet and hands, it could be the start of neuropathy – a condition that damages nerves and causes pain and loss of sensation. Without treatment, these symptoms can worsen, leading to serious problems with motor coordination. And wet beriberi: When B1 deficiency affects the heart, we have wet beriberi.
In this case, there may be a dangerous accumulation of fluids in the body and heart failure. This condition is a medical emergency and can be fatal in a matter of days. and also, classically we have Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome - which is irreversible damage to the nervous system, permanent damage.
This includes peripheral neuropathy , which leads to loss of reflexes and decreased coordination, directly affecting a person's quality of life and independence. And serious memory problem. Let’s break it down… Wernicke Syndrome: This condition is common in people with chronic alcoholism.
Early signs include mental confusion, changes in eye movements and difficulty walking. Without treatment, Wernicke syndrome can develop into an even more serious condition called Korsakoff syndrome. Korsakoff syndrome: When Wernicke syndrome progresses to Korsakoff, damage to the brain becomes so severe that the person suffers significant and permanent memory loss.
In these cases, the person can become disoriented, lose the ability to create new memories and have chronic mental confusion, severely impacting life and social relationships. I have a patient who was an alcoholic and lives with his sister because of this. If it weren't for his sister's love, he wouldn't be alive today.
. . And now, you must be wondering: how do we find out if we have this disability?
What tests can confirm this? We can do a sabgye test - The erythrocyte transketolase activation test - This test measures the activity of thiamine in the blood and is one of the most reliable for detecting deficiency. Thiamine Analysis in Blood or Serum: This test, carried out by chromatography, directly measures the levels of B1 in the body.
or even Clinical Symptoms: In some cases, symptoms such as difficulty in movement and mental confusion are already important signs and help doctors identify a possible lack of B1. How do we treat it? Crisis Treatment: In severe cases, such as heart or neurological failure, intravenous doses of thiamine (500 mg per day) are administered for a week.
In emergency situations, such as heart failure, this treatment is started immediately. Long-Term Management: For those who have already presented symptoms, treatment includes oral doses of thiamine (between 10 and 100 mg daily) until symptoms disappear. How to prevent b1 deficiency?
Have a Varied Diet – Include foods rich in thiamine in your diet, such as pork, beef, whole grains (such as brown rice and oats) and legumes (beans, lentils), seeds and nuts, green vegetables and brewer's yeast such as I spoke. These foods are excellent natural sources of B1 and help maintain healthy levels of the vitamin. Avoid Excess Tea and Coffee Moderate the number of cups throughout the day to preserve B1 levels.
Reduce your alcohol consumption or even cut it out altogether. Pay attention in special cases – such as diabetics, pregnant or breastfeeding women – you should eat more of what I just said. Because, as you yourself have seen, the lack of b1 is a serious matter, which can greatly affect our quality of life.
Did you know that? Did you like the video? So like and share!
And what will be the next video you watch? My video about the vitamins that diabetics should use… And my video about propolis? Which is the best propolis for you?
My name is André Wambier, cardiologist. And this is cardiodf. com.
br Thank you very much!
![[Aula 2] Controle hoje a Hipertensão, Colesterol, Glicemia de forma natural](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3OIXalzY5lY/maxresdefault.jpg)
