Chemistry: Thiamine Hydrochloride structure has pyrimidine and thiazole moiety attached by a methylene group. Thiamine also present in the form of thiamine mono phosphate, thiamine phosphate and thiamine triphosphate. Thiamine is an example for aqueous-soluble vitamin. It was the first organic compound recognised as B-vitamin. The word vitamin stands for "vita" means life and "amine" means nitrogen containing compound. The absence of thiamine in food causes the disease called beriberi. Human and other primates mainly depend on their food intake to fulfill their Vitamin-B1 requirements.
The marginal deficiency of thiamine causes the symptoms like fatigue, irritability, insomnia, lack of concentration, abdominal discomfort,constipation and loss of appetite. The deficiency also decreases the carbohydrate metabolism and its connection with amino acid metabolism. The deficiency of vitamin B1 can be caused due to the following.
- Disease associated with alcoholic consumption.
- Improper storage as well as preparation of food items.
- Heavy physical exercise , high fever and stress.
- Inadequate nutrition.
- Intake of certain drugs like birth control pills and some cancer drugs.
