Origins of Vitamin B1 Vitamin B1, otherwise known as Thiamine (or Thiamin), is a water-soluble vitamin that is added to white and brown bread flour by law. Thiamine also naturally occurs in whole grains, nuts, fruit and vegetables, and meat - particularly pork. Our bodies don?t readily store Thiamine, especially if vomiting occurs. This produces a high risk of Vitamin B1 deficiency, often leading on to beriberi. Beriberi became a highlighted issue in the 19th century in Asia when white rice was introduced. When the deficiency first came to light, it became apparent that rich people didn?t suffer as severely as those who had less money. This was because those with more money had access to a wider range of foods, and could, therefore, eat a more varied diet. White rice is a refined product where parts of the grain containing fibre and vitamins within are removed, including the husks, bran and germ. As rice is a staple food in Asia, those who ate a variety of foods could consume their Thiamine from other products, whereas those who ate a limited diet consisting mainly of rice couldn?t achieve the recommended amount of Thiamine. Another common deficiency as a result of a lack of Vitamin B1 is the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This comes about when absorption of the vitamin is impaired, causing a brain disorder. Public Health England advises a minimum daily intake of 1mg for women and 0.8mg for men, although intake of 100mg per day is recommended. Benefits of Vitamin B1 Supplementing with Vitamin B1 helps with the prevention of beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Vitamin B1 also contributes to normal energy metabolism and psychological functioning, helping to keep the brain alert and preventing fatigue. Thiamine is also responsible for the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system to keep illness at bay. Our Vitamin B1 tablets We provid our tablets in four quantities to suit your requirements. Our tablets have an aesthetic appearance with a white colouring in 9mm diameter. Please note - we recommend that both the 500 and 1,000 tablet options are more suitable for use by more than one person. This is to ensure that you are receiving full use of the product before its expiry date. For one person's use, we recommend the 120 or 240 tablet options.