Thiamine benefits
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The Benefits of Thiamine: A Comprehensive Overview
Thiamine and Neurocognitive Development in Infants
Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, plays a crucial role in the neurocognitive development of infants, particularly those who are breastfed. Research conducted in Cambodia demonstrated that maternal thiamine supplementation significantly benefits infants' language development by six months of age. Mothers who consumed 10 mg of thiamine daily had infants with improved language skills compared to those who did not receive supplementation. However, the study noted that these benefits did not extend to motor or visual reception development, and the positive effects on language diminished after the supplementation period ended, suggesting the need for continued nutritional interventions beyond six months1.
Neuroprotective Effects of Thiamine and Its Derivatives
Thiamine is essential for brain function due to its role in glucose and energy metabolism. Thiamine derivatives like benfotiamine (BFT) and dibenzoylthiamine (DBT) have shown higher bioavailability and significant neuroprotective effects. BFT, in particular, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, improving cognitive outcomes in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. DBT has been found to be even more potent in reducing inflammation. These derivatives increase circulating thiamine levels and may produce neuroprotective metabolites, offering promising potential in treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions2.
Thiamine's Role in Protecting Against Glutamate Toxicity
Thiamine has been shown to protect glioblastoma cells from glutamate-induced toxicity by reducing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In a rat model, thiamine supplementation increased cell viability, decreased oxidative stress markers, and reduced levels of stress proteins. This protective effect suggests that thiamine could be beneficial for individuals predisposed to neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting its potential as a nutritional support to mitigate glutamate cytotoxicity3.
Thiamine Supplementation in Critically Ill Patients
A meta-analysis of 18 studies on thiamine supplementation in critically ill patients revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of ICU delirium. However, the analysis did not find a statistically significant reduction in overall mortality or mortality in patients with sepsis. These findings suggest that while thiamine can help reduce delirium in critical care settings, its impact on mortality requires further investigation through large-scale randomized studies4.
Thiamine in Plant Health and Food Security
Thiamine is not only vital for human health but also plays a significant role in plant health. It is essential for metabolic pathways involved in energy production and stress responses in plants. Enhancing thiamine content in crops through biofortification could improve plant disease resistance, stress tolerance, and crop yield, thereby contributing to food security and human nutrition5.
Thiamine and Diabetes Management
Thiamine has been linked to the management of diabetic complications, particularly diabetic neuropathy. Studies have shown that thiamine and its derivative benfotiamine can counteract diabetic microangiopathy and improve outcomes in diabetic nephropathy. Despite promising results, large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully establish thiamine's role in diabetes management and its potential to prevent or slow the progression of diabetic complications7.
Thiamine and Alzheimer's Disease
The role of thiamine in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been explored, with mixed results. While thiamine is crucial for brain glucose metabolism and reducing oxidative stress, studies have not shown significant benefits of thiamine supplementation in AD patients. However, the data is limited, and further research is needed to determine if thiamine or its derivatives could enhance the efficacy of treatments targeting glucose metabolism abnormalities in AD8 10.
Conclusion
Thiamine is a vital nutrient with diverse benefits ranging from neurocognitive development in infants to neuroprotection and management of chronic conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. While its role in critical care and plant health further underscores its importance, continued research and nutritional interventions are essential to fully harness its potential benefits.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Thiamine supplementation holds neurocognitive benefits for breastfed infants during the first year of life
Maternal thiamine supplementation (10 mg/day) significantly benefits infants' language development by 6 months of age, but not motor or visual reception development.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Rigorous JournalNeuroprotective Effects of Thiamine and Precursors with Higher Bioavailability: Focus on Benfotiamine and Dibenzoylthiamine
Benfotiamine and dibenzoylthiamine show promising neuroprotective effects, improving cognitive outcomes in mild Alzheimer's disease patients.
Thiamine Protects Glioblastoma Cells against Glutamate Toxicity by Suppressing Oxidative/Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.
Thiamine protects glioblastoma cells from glutamate toxicity by suppressing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, potentially benefiting individuals with a predisposition to neurodegenerative disorders.
In Vitro StudyEffect of thiamine supplementation in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Thiamine supplementation in critically ill patients reduces ICU delirium but shows no significant benefit in overall mortality or sepsis mortality.
Meta-AnalysisThe importance of thiamine (vitamin B1) in plant health: From crop yield to biofortification
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is crucial for plant health and human health, with potential benefits from biofortification of crops to improve food security and human health.
Highly CitedA Review of the Biochemistry, Metabolism and Clinical Benefits of Thiamin(e) and Its Derivatives
Thiamin(e) plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and plays a crucial role in modern nutrition, with its potential role in Complementary Alternative Medicine for conditions not normally associated with nutritional deficiency.
Highly CitedThiamine and diabetes: back to the future?
Thiamine supplementation shows potential in treating diabetic complications, but large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness and provide a potential treatment for diabetic patients.
Rigorous JournalThiamine for Alzheimer's disease.
Thiamine shows no evidence of being a useful treatment for Alzheimer's disease symptoms, and cannot be recommended for patients due to limited data and sparse evidence.
Systematic ReviewThiamine Demonstrates Bio-Preservative and Anti-Microbial Effects in Minced Beef Meat Storage and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Thiamine has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and preservative properties, improving the quality of stored minced beef meat and inhibiting Listeria monocytogenes growth.
Rigorous JournalThiamine-dependent processes and treatment strategies in neurodegeneration.
Adding thiamine to treatments for abnormal glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease may increase their efficacy.
Highly Cited