The human body requires 13 different vitamins to thrive and function properly. One of the most important groups of vitamins that helps support this purpose are B vitamins, which consists of seven members: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B9.
B vitamins are important because they help with cognitive function, nervous system and brain health, as well as red blood cell formation. However, one B vitamin, Thiamine (B1), arguably plays the biggest role in our everyday lives.
Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is often called the vitamin of “reassurance of the spirit”. All tissues in the body require this essential nutrient. It is a co-factor in various parts of the body like the skeletal muscles, heart, liver, kidney, and brain.
Vitamin B1 also helps to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, improve appetite, boost body immunity, treat alcoholism, keep a positive mood, and prevent eye problems.
Impressive health benefits of Vitamin B1 include, but are not limited to:
· Ensures a healthy metabolism - The body needs Vitamin B1 to create ATP, the body’s main energy-carrying molecule. It helps in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, which is the preferred source of energy that the body needs to keep the metabolism running smoothly. It also helps break down proteins and fats.
· Boosts immunity - Vitamin B1 is sometimes called an “anti-stress” vitamin because it may strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s ability to withstand stressful conditions. It helps maintain muscle tone along the walls of the digestive tract, a place where much of the immune system is located. The health of the digestive system is extremely important for Vitamin B1 absorption. A healthy digestive tract enables the body to derive nutrients from food better, which are then used to boost immunity and prevent us from getting sick.
· Protects the brain - Thiamine helps bridge the gap between the brain-body connection. It can help defend against a form of brain damage called Cerebellar Syndrome. Vitamin B1 helps with the development of the myelin sheath, a coat that wraps around nerves to protect them from damage and death. Thiamine is also famous for improving concentration power and memory. Thanks to its memory enhancing qualities and ability to positively impact the health of the nervous system, the vitamin is commonly referred to as “morale vitamin”.
· Prevents Alzheimer’s disease - The antioxidant properties of Thiamine can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In the brain, Thiamine is required both by the nerve cells and by other supporting cells in the nervous system. Researchers believe that free radical damage is part of what causes these memory conditions and a healthy number of antioxidants could improve the prognosis.
· Promotes cardiovascular health – Our entire cardiovascular system relies on Thiamine to run efficiently and remain healthy.
This vitamin helps in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is used to relay messages between the nerves and muscles and to ensure proper cardiac function. Vitamin B1 deficiency can, therefore, result in irregular cardiac functions. According to research, when Vitamin B1 was administered intravenously for seven days, people suffering from congestive heart failure showed considerable improvements in their echocardiograms, which suggests that it can prevent heart disease.
· Supports eye health - We often take our eye health for granted until we start experiencing visual problems. Research shows that Thiamine seems to benefit ocular health, as it is thought to prevent glaucoma and cataracts. In both glaucoma and cataracts, there is a loss of muscle and nerve signaling between the eyes and the brain. Vitamin B1 stimulates the back-and-forth relaying of these messages and when used along with other essential nutrients, Vitamin B1 can prevent the occurrence of damage to the optic nerve.
· Promotes a better attention span, learning, and memory – Research shows that a deficiency in Thiamine negatively impacts the cerebellum. The cerebellum is a region of the brain that is responsible for a wide variety of functions, including motor control and balance. It also plays a key role in certain cognitive functions, such as attention, fear regulation, language, and procedural memories. Procedural memories are memories of skills learned by an individual that after repetition, have become subconscious – an example – riding a bike. This type of memory is sometimes referred to as "implicit memory", since it is something that becomes second nature. Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause drop-outs of data from the cerebellum’s procedural memory storage.
· Promotes digestion - Thiamine is necessary for secretion of hydrochloric acid, which is essential for the complete digestion of food particles.
· Enhances mood - We all are prone to experiencing less-than-pleasant moods, but those of us with autoimmune diseases and/or mental health issues tend to struggle with elements of mood disorders. A lack of Vitamin B1, in addition to other nutritional deficiencies, can further exacerbate mood-related issues. Thiamine provides the body and mind with a way to cope with physical and mental stress. For this reason, the entire group of B vitamins earned the title of “anti-stress vitamins”. B1 deficiency causes sluggishness since the body requires Thiamine to create energy. With that sluggishness comes a lack of motivation, as well as a lowered mood. Depression and anxiety have been linked to B1 deficiency.
· Offers powerful anti-aging qualities - Vitamin B1 works as a powerful antioxidant, which helps protect your body from the signs of aging like wrinkles, age spots, and other age-related conditions that affect the organs. Thiamine also greatly benefits skin, hair, and nails.
Thiamine is an extremely crucial nutrient that not only helps enhance body functions, but also brings along amazing benefits that work to improve the body’s overall well-being.
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Oven-Roasted Asparagus
INGREDIENTS:
1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed
3 table spoons olive oil
1 ½ grated Parmesan cheese, optional
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 table spoon lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.
ENJOY!
