Can A Lack Of Thiamin Affect Mental Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Vitamin B1(thiamin) and mental health.

Mental health problems such as memory loss, anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia are also associated with deficiencies in vitamin B1

. The brain uses this vitamin to help convert glucose or blood sugar into energy.

Does thiamine help with anxiety?

For anxiety,

thiamine has been used successfully at doses of 250 mg/day to treat patients with anxiety disorders

, including symptoms manifesting as chronic fatigue, insomnia, nightmares, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, chest and abdominal pain, depression, aggression, headache, diaphoresis, and …

What happens if you have too little thiamin?

Thiamin deficiency can cause

loss of weight and appetite, confusion, memory loss, muscle weakness, and heart problems

. Severe thiamin deficiency leads to a disease called beriberi with the added symptoms of tingling and numbness in the feet and hands, loss of muscle, and poor reflexes.

Can low thiamine cause depression?

Thiamine is an essential nutrient, while

thiamine deficiency leads to a broad variety of disorders including irritability and symptoms of depression

.

What are the symptoms of low thiamine?

  • Ataxia. Ataxia is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. …
  • Confusion. You may experience the inability to think or reason in a focused, clear manner.
  • Nystagmus. …
  • Irritability. …
  • Seizure. …
  • Papilledema. …
  • Short-term memory loss. …
  • Tachycardia.

Who is most at risk for thiamine deficiency?

Thiamin deficiency (causing beriberi) is most common among

people subsisting on white rice or highly refined carbohydrates in developing countries and among alcoholics

. Symptoms include diffuse polyneuropathy, high-output heart failure, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

What issues related to mental health could influence thiamine?

Thiamine deficiency contributes to a number of conditions spanning from mild neurological and psychiatric symptoms (

confusion, reduced memory, and sleep disturbances

) to severe encephalopathy, ataxia, congestive heart failure, muscle atrophy, and even death.

What minerals affect mental health?


B12 and folate (B9)

are important vitamins for maintaining a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 and folate are needed for producing norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Norepinephrine and serotonin are neurotransmitters in the brain which influence mental behavioral patterns and moods.

What does thiamine do in the brain?

Thiamine is an essential cofactor for several enzymes involved in brain cell metabolism that are required for the production of precursors for several important cell components as well as for the generation of the energy–supplying molecule ATP.

How long does it take to develop thiamine deficiency?

When thiamine stores are depleted (which takes

about 4 weeks after stopping intake

), symptoms start to appear. Dry beriberi occurs when the CNS is involved. This condition is usually due to poor intake.

Does thiamine raise serotonin?


After a 4-wk period of thiamine excess and magnesium-deficient diet, blood serotonin levels increased significantly

.

Does B1 cause anxiety?


There is no good evidence that vitamin B1 has an impact on anxiety

. While some people do take the vitamin because they think it will boost their mood or help fight stress, the National Institutes of Health says there is not enough research to prove it affects mental health in any way.

Why is thiamine administered to treat mentally depressed?

In agreement with animal studies, vitamin B1 was also able to ameliorate symptoms of major depressive disorder in patients [4] or work stress-related mood swings [5]. Thus,

thiamine was shown as a promising treatment for the depressive-like changes and excessive aggression, caused by stress

.

What are the three most common reasons for thiamine deficiency?

  • Disorders or conditions that increase the body’s need for thiamin, such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism. …
  • Disorders that interfere with the metabolism of the vitamin, such as liver disorders. …
  • Disorders that prevent thiamin from being absorbed, such as diarrhea.

Which disease condition is associated with a deficiency in thiamine?


Thiamine deficiency, or beriberi

, refers to a lack of thiamine pyrophosphate, the biologically active form of the vitamin known as thiamine (also spelled thiamin), or vitamin B-1 (see the image below).

Is B12 the same as thiamine?


Vitamin B1 is thiamine whereas vitamin B12 is cobalamin

. Vitamin B1 plays a crucial role in nerve, muscle and heart function whereas vitamin B12 helps in the functioning of the central nervous system.

What supplements cause anxiety?

Many ingredients in weight loss supplements have been found to contribute to anxiety. For instance,

guarana and green tea extracts

are common ingredients in weight loss supplements that contain high amounts of caffeine; while Saint John’s wort produces side effects including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety.

What is Korsakoff’s psychosis?

Korsakoff psychosis is

a late complication of persistent Wernicke encephalopathy and results in memory deficits, confusion, and behavioral changes

. Korsakoff psychosis occurs in 80% of untreated patients with Wernicke encephalopathy. Diagnosis is primarily clinical.

Can lack of vitamins cause anxiety?

Being deficient in certain minerals and vitamins can affect your physical and mental energy, your body’s health along with the biochemical balance in your brain, resulting in anxiety or increasing the levels you’re currently experiencing.

What vitamin deficiency can cause psychosis?

Psychiatric manifestations can be associated with

vitamin B

12

deficiency

. These include depression, irritability, dementia, delirium, and hallucinations. There have been reports of B

12

deficiency presenting as psychosis

2 , 3

or as catatonia.

Which supplement is good for mental health?


Vitamin B

is single-handedly one of the most essential nutrient groups for the brain. In almost all of its forms – B1, B2, B3, B6 help in the transportation of neurotransmitters and alleviate symptoms of problems like depression, stress as well slow down mental decline which can happen with age.

Can B12 deficiency cause mental health problems?


Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can result in hematological changes, neurological and psychiatric problems

, which can manifest as irritability, changes in personality, depression, and memory loss [9].

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.