Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Overview
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for mitochondrial glucose metabolism in the brain. It serves as a cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH), enzymes that are critical for converting glucose into ATP through the TCA cycle. Thiamine does not exist in large brain reserves; the central nervous system maintains small, tightly regulated intracellular pools that depend on continuous, transporter-mediated supply, making deficiency states potentially acute. Thiamine deficiency can rapidly impair brain energy metabolism and cognitive function.
Recipes
10 recipes containing this substance
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Vegetable Chilli
A fibre-rich bean and vegetable chilli with warming spices and slow carbohydrates for steady energy and satiety.
Chocolate Quinoa Crisp Clusters
A delicious cereal-to-snack hybrid with satisfying crunch, steady energy, and a low glycemic profile. Perfect for breakfast or anytime snacking.
Creamed Corn on Roasted Sweet Potato
Roasted sweet potato with creamed corn and a mixed lipid phase to enhance carotenoid absorption; served with broccoli for fibre and glucosinolates.
Matcha Mitochondria Smoothie
Mitochondrial energising smoothie rich in polyphenols, magnesium, and antioxidants
Mitochondrial Power Bowl
A nitrate-rich, polyphenol-dense bowl combining leafy greens, beets, berries, nuts, and early harvest olive oil
Rocket Lentil Avocado Midday Salad (Gut-Supporting)
Polyphenol-rich midday salad with quinoa or lentils, vegetables, avocado, and early harvest olive oil
Salmon Bowl-pistachio-cacao-nibs
A Mediterranean-style bowl combining salmon, avocado, pistachios, cacao nibs, and early harvest olive oil — rich in omega-3 fats, polyphenols, and fibre.
Savoury Greens & Egg Breakfast Skillet
A warm savoury breakfast skillet with eggs, greens, and slow carbohydrates for steady morning energy.
Turmeric Lentil Dahl
Turmeric- and ginger-spiced lentil dish rich in fibre, folate, and polyphenols
Turmeric Milk
A warming drink combining turmeric (curcumin) with milk/fat for enhanced curcumin absorption
Foods
12 foods containing this substance
Black Beans
Legume with polyphenols and protein; optimal soaking conditions detailed
Broccoli
Cruciferous vegetable rich in sulforaphane, folate, and glutathione precursors
Chickpeas
Legume providing protein, fiber, folate, magnesium, and B6
Kale
Leafy green rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, quercetin, and carotenoids
Milk
Complete protein, nicotinamide riboside, and calcium
Peanuts
Niacin, resveratrol, and plant protein for NAD+ and mitochondrial support
Peas
Plant protein, fiber, and thiamine source
Pork
Thiamine, creatine, and zinc
Quinoa
Pseudograin with magnesium, iron, and balanced plant protein
Rice
Resistant starch formation when cooled; thiamine source
Spinach
Leafy green rich in iron, magnesium, folate, and carotenoids
Sunflower Seeds
Thiamine source and sunflower lecithin precursor
Biological Mechanisms and Implications
| Biological Target | Therapeutic Areas | Mechanism of Action |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin Response | Supports glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity through mitochondrial function | |
| Mitochondrial Function & Bioenergetics | Essential for mitochondrial glucose metabolism in the brain leading to ATP production; supports PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) and α-KGDH (alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase) function |
References
- Thiamine is essential for mitochondrial glucose metabolism in the brain leading to ATP production Dhir et al. 2019
- Thiamine does not exist in a large brain "reservoir"; the CNS maintains small, tightly regulated intracellular pools that depend on continuous, transporter-mediated supply, making deficiency states potentially acute
- Therapeutic doses up to 100× higher than RDA have shown benefit in Alzheimer's disease, with larger Phase 2 trials in progress