Vitamin B1 - also known as thiamin, is a water-soluble vitamin. Since it is not stored
in body fat, after the body uses what it needs, any excess vitamin B1 is excreted
in the urine.
Like most of the B vitamins, thiamin has a variety of roles in the human body. However,
its most important function is to help the body's cells convert carbohydrates into
ATP – the fuel the body runs on.
It is also involved in metabolic activities relating to the heart, brain and muscles,
and it helps ensure proper nerve cell function.
Deficiency of vitamin B1 can result in oedema and abnormal heart rhythm. Severe B1
deficiency (also known as beriberi) is rare in but may occur in malnourished people.
Symptoms may include paralysis, loss of balance, loss of feeling in the legs and
feet, visual problems and congestive heart failure.
Because vitamin B1 is water-soluble and is not stored in the body it is unlikely
that toxic levels may be experienced.
All living organisms use thiamine in their biochemistry, but it is synthesised in
bacteria, fungi, and plants.
Animals must obtain it from their diet. Therefore for them it is a vitamin
Involved in:
Assists the health of the nervous system.
Blood formation and the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Used in the manufacture of hydrochloric acid, and takes part in digestion.
May help fight infections.
The biosynthesis of a number of cell constituents, including the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Cheraskin E, Ringsdorf WM, Medford FH, Hicks BS. The "ideal" daily vitamin B1 intake.
J Oral Med 1978; 33:77-79.
Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin. Since it is not stored
in body fat, after the body uses what it needs, any excess vitamin B2 is excreted
in urine or sweat.
Vitamin B2 works with the other B vitamins in maintaining body growth and the production
of red blood cells. Like thiamin, it helps metabolise carbohydrates into energy.
Vitamin B2 deficency symptoms:
Dry or cracked skin, especially around the lips or corners of the mouth.
Skin rashes.
Eye irritation.
Severe deficiencies may lead to depression or hysteria.
Vitamin B-2 is continuously excreted in the urine of healthy individuals making deficiency
relatively common if dietary intake is insufficient.
A deficiency of riboflavin can be:
Primary - poor vitamin sources in the daily diet
Secondary, which may be a result of conditions that affect absorption in the intestine,
the body being unable to use the vitamin, or an increase in the excretion of the
vitamin from the body.
Vitamin B2 excess symptoms:
May cause a person's urine to become bright yellow.
Vitamin B2 can be created in the body by the intestinal flora
Involved in:
Activates vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), involved in creating niacin and assists the adrenal
gland.
Assists the absorption of iron and vitamin B6.
Assists the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates.
Assists the health of the mucus membranes in the digestive tract.
Assists use of oxygen.
Assists red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration, and growth.
