Vitamin B1: Cure Beriberi, Nervous Disorders, Heart Diseases

Posted on December 19, 2007 by TDR in Vitamins

Vitamin B1 for Beriberi

Prompt administration of thiamine is indicated when Beriberi is diagnosed or suspected. Fifty thousand micrograms per day should be given intra-muscularly for several days. Thereafter, 2,500 to 5,000 mcg per day can be administered by mouth. Larger amounts are usually not absorbed. Patients should also receive other water-soluble vitamins in therapeutic quantities. A simple way to treat infantile Beriberi is via mother’s milk. The mother should receive 10,000 mcg of thiamine twice daily. In severe cases, this should be given by injection. In addition, the infant should be given thiamine in doses of upto 10,000 to 20,000 mcg intra-muscularly, once a day, for three days.

This should be followed by 5,000 to 10,000 mcg orally, twice a day. When symptoms of heart failure are present, or there are convulsions or coma, the initial dose may be increased from 25,000 to 50,000 mcg given intravenously and very slowly. Thereafter treatment should be by intramuscular injection, followed by oral therapy.

Vitamin B1 for treating Nervous disorders

Vitamin B1 is indispensable for the metabolism of carbohydrates, and the cells of the nervous system are entirely dependent on carbohydrates for their energy requirement. The primary role of vitamin B1 is to ensure energy for nerve cells and to protect them from harm.

This vitamin is used therapeutically in neurological disorders with muscular weakness and cramps. It is particularly useful in all painful conditions like neuritis and polyneuritis, rheumatic neuralgias, sciatica, and rheumatic pain.

Vitamin B1 cures for Heart Diseases

Studies indicate that vitamin B1 deficiency may complicate existing heart disease. Therapeutic doses of vitamin B1 have been found especially beneficial in beriberi-related heart disease which is caused by gross malnutrition and is commonly prevalent in chronic alcoholics. Improvement can be affected in such cases by bed rest, a high-carbohydrate-cum-high-protein diet, and 200 mg or 200,000 mcg of vitamin B1 given thrice daily by injection. After some improvement is seen, further progress can be made by continuing the same diet and an oral intake of 50 mg or 50,000 mcg of thiamine thrice daily.

Vitamin B1 cure for Gastro-Intestinal Disorders

In various gastro-intestinal disorders, 50,000 mcg of vitamin B1 given three times a day immediately after meals, with a suitable digestive enzyme preparation, is found to be very effective. It is particularly useful for carbohydrate and protein indigestion, loss of appetite, flatulence, constipation, and abdominal distension.

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