Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
For the body system: Acetylcholine

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) has a scientific basis for its role in supporting the acetylcholine system, though the evidence is moderate rather than strong. Thiamine is a critical cofactor for enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, particularly in the brain. One of its key functions is supporting the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, enzymes necessary for the production of acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA combines with choline to synthesize acetylcholine, a vital neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and muscle activation.

Deficiency in thiamine can lead to neurological disorders such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is characterized by cognitive disturbances, partly attributed to impaired acetylcholine synthesis. Some clinical and animal studies indicate that thiamine supplementation may increase brain acetylcholine levels, particularly when thiamine or its derivatives are administered in high doses. However, in individuals with adequate thiamine status, further supplementation has not consistently shown to enhance acetylcholine-mediated cognitive functions.

While thiamine is essential for the biochemical pathway leading to acetylcholine production, its use as a standalone supplement to boost acetylcholine activity in the absence of deficiency lacks robust clinical validation. Therefore, the evidence supports a biochemical rationale, especially in deficiency states, but does not strongly endorse supplementation for acetylcholine support in the general population.

More about Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
More about Acetylcholine

Products containing Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.