However, more research is needed to confirm its effects.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Verywell / Getty Images
What Is Thiamine?

Verywell / Getty Images
Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in some foods and may also be taken as a supplement.
The bodys cells need thiamine to generate energy, develop, grow, and function.
This makes thiamine levels important in diseases of the metabolic and gastrointestinal systems.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
The following conditions include studied uses of thiamine:
What Causes Thiamine Deficiency?
Thiamine is absorbed in the small intestine.
This may help catch a deficiency early, bring levels up to normal, and avoid complications.
If any thiamine deficiency symptoms appear, talk to a healthcare provider right away.
How Do I Know if I Have a Thiamine Deficiency?
Who Is at Higher Risk of Thiamine Deficiency?
Thiamine deficiencies are more common in areas with less access to food sources of thiamine.
Factors that can increase the risk of thiamine deficiency include:
How Are Thiamine Levels Tested?
Dosage: How Much Thiamine Should I Take?
What Happens if I Take Too Much Thiamine?
What Are the Side Effects of Thiamine?
Giving the supplement slowly and with fluids may help cut this risk, but there arent any accepted guidelines.
Interactions
Oral thiamine isnt expected to interact with most medications.
Sources of Thiamine and What to Look For
Most people get enough thiamine in their food.
It can also be taken as a supplement on its own, in capsule or liquid form.
Thiamine will be given in the hospital through an IV for severe deficiencies.
Some occur naturally in foods but might also be made synthetically in a lab.
It is not stored in the body, so a steady supply is needed.
Most people get enough thiamine through their diet.
National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.Thiamin: Fact Sheet for Professionals.
Mount Sinai.Vitamin B1 (thiamine).
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Thiamin fact sheet for health professionals.
Polegato BF, Pereira AG, Azevedo PS, et al.Role of thiamin in health and disease.Nutr Clin Pract.
2020;12:e8027.
doi:10.7759/cureus.8027
Beltramo E, Mazzeo A, Porta M.Thiamine and diabetes: back to the future?Acta Diabetol.
2019;110:1287-1295. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqz192.
Syed ARS, Syed AA, Akram A, et al.Does thiamine supplementation affect heart failure?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
Ann N Y Acad Sci.
Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.
2017;13:727741. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2016.12.018
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Thiamin: fact sheet for consumers.
A focused review.Am J Med.