Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
B vitamins are essential for physical and mental health. The reason being, they are needed for several functions within the body. For example, we need B vitamins to help increase and maintain feel good neurotransmitter levels, like serotonin. The adrenals absolutely love B vitamins and need them to function optimally. B vitamins are also necessary to support the nervous system, energy levels and so much more! 

Unfortunately, many people are deficient in these crucial nutrients. Here's the thing. We don't store B vitamins like we do things like Vitamin D. That means we need to have a constant supply. If we don't, then it is only a matter of time before our levels become too low and our physical and/or mental health suffer. The other issue is that stress depletes our B vitamin levels. So, if we aren't eating the correct foods and/or taking a B Complex supplement, then we run the risk of becoming deficient. 

As each B vitamin has a different function, I will be doing a series over the following weeks that focuses on individual B vitamins.

Let's kick it off with Vitamin B1, otherwise known as thiamine. Along with stress, sugar is a major thiamine destroyer. When levels become too low, neurological damage and mental symptoms can ensue. 

There are a number of symptoms associated with a thiamine deficiency including:

  • Poor concentration
  • Mental confusion
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Apathy
  • Low pain tolerance
  • Numbness and tingling or burning in the arms and legs or hands and feet
  • Headaches
  • Low blood pressure
  • Heart palpitations
In extreme cases, beriberi can occur. This is a disease that causes inflammation in the nerves and can potentially lead to heart failure. In addition, a severe deficiency is associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. This is an irreversible brain deterioration that is seen in alcoholics.

Thiamine is water soluble. As previously mentioned, that means that excess levels are not stored in the body. The general recommend daily allowance is 1mg – 1.5mg, however, when needed, up to 300mg can be taken daily for therapeutic repair. Always get your levels tested and speak to your doctor before supplementing.

It's no secret that I love supplementation, but I do believe we need to eat nutrient dense food. The major sources of thiamine in food include:

  • Organ meats – 3 oz contains 40% of the daily value
  • Beef – of course grass-fed will be more rich in these vitamins
  • Mushrooms
  • Dark green vegetables
  • Dairy products
  • Sweet potato
 Have you looked at the specific B vitamins and what each of them do individually?

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MEET JEN

 
Hello! Thank you popping by! I’m Jen. I'm a wife, a furmama to two gorgeous dogs, a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and an advocate for natural ways to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Oh, and I’m a CEO! 

My journey originally started in Psychology. You see, when I was 16 my father took his own life after suffering years of a debilitating gambling addiction. I did a Bachelor’s in Psych as I wanted to understand why he made the choices that he did. I also wanted to ensure that I never went down that path and also help those suffering as he did. I loved it so much I went on to do a Masters.

It was during that time I got sick. I’m talking woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed, sick. For many years I felt helpless and frustrated!

Let me back up for a second. Prior to this life consisted of pain and fatigue. I had digestive issues and IBS from childhood. Through my teens and early 20's I was getting 2-3 migraines a month around my cycle and headaches more than half the month. My periods we very painful – I had to miss work or school the first 1-2 days. I would literally lie on the floor or the bed curled in the foetal position and cry from the pain. I could easily talk a full packet of Ibuprofen and still not get much relief.

Then, at 26, my period stopped altogether and things went downhill fast! For the first time in my life I was feeling apathetic and overwhelmed. Over the course of the next two years I was diagnosed with a host of conditions – are you ready for the laundry list? The first diagnosis was PCOS. I was told that I was infertile, that I would never have children, and that IVF wasn’t an option for me. I was also told that I was pre-diabetic, that my liver was worse than an alcoholic’s (and I don’t drink), that I had migraine disorder, vertigo, and adrenal fatigue. The cherry on the cake was a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s at 28.

I was in complete and utter shock. I couldn’t fathom that a 28-year-old Personal Trainer, who looked fit and healthy on the outside, could be in such disarray on the inside.  

Over the two years I saw five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing improved.

And then one day a friend and I got in touch. She told me to change my diet and take specific supplements. I figured I had nothing to lose, and so I did! I went onto a low-carb diet and was taking upward of 30-40 pills a day…and guess what?! Three months later my period started!! How incredible is that?!

Over the next two years all of my health ailments rectified! Well, all except my Hashi’s – more on that in a minute. My cycles became clockwork, they were manageable, the migraines and vertigo disappeared and my liver and blood sugar levels returned to the normal range! How exciting is that?! The best part, I can now have children should I choose! Having that option is incredible!

Of course I was so excited and inspired that I had to go to school and study Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy.

Now, let’s talk about my Hashi’s. That only went into remission when my toxic load was decreased. That was a lightbulb moment for me and the moment I got fired up to share with others the importance of leading a low-tox life. I love educating people where toxins are found, what impact they have on physical and emotional wellbeing, and what products to replace them with to support your wellbeing. 

I sincerely believe that many of my health issues would not have presented if I were living a low-tox life. My Hashi’s has been in remission since I was 31 and I am so proud to say that! Praise God!

Life is so different to what it was 10 years ago. I have the energy and the mental capacity to engage in life! I am present and am thriving. Oh, and I laugh! I actually laugh out loud, something that eluded me for many years.

I am happy and healthy and it is my mission to help YOU be the happy, healthy person you are meant to be!
I would love for you to join our exclusive community and learn how you too can find freedom from physical and emotional barriers. I look forward to seeing you there!
 

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