Doctors warn of severe vitamin B1 deficiency

• By Yan Hung-chun and Jason Pang

Doctors warn that a severe deficiency of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, could lead to poor memory and slowed reaction times.

Citing a recent example, Cheung Shu-yu, an internal medicine physician at Changhua Hospital, said a 60-year-old woman surnamed Chen was taken to the hospital by her family after showing signs of slowness in her movements, poor memory and loss of appetite.

According to Dr Chan, it was discovered that she had hyponatremia, a condition in which sodium levels in the blood are lower than normal, caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency, which led to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, an acute neurological disease.

Photo: Taipei Times File

According to Chan, Chen did not eat a balanced diet and only ate bread, fermented tofu and tofu, which led to a vitamin B1 deficiency.

During the examination, Mr Cheng had difficulty speaking and his eyes appeared sunken, and blood tests showed he had lower than normal levels of sodium in his blood, which appeared to be affecting his kidney function, Mr Chan said.

The woman was diagnosed with Wernicke’s encephalopathy caused by hyponatremia, Chan said.

“Vitamin B1 deficiency impairs the body’s ability to convert glucose into energy and can lead to impaired brain function such as confusion, memory loss, attention problems and fatigue. It can also cause peripheral polyneuritis and affect the digestive system,” she said.

“After the cause of her symptoms was discovered, the woman began receiving regular vitamin B1 injections,” she added.

“But some of the damaged brain cells could not be repaired, and the woman remains unresponsive and her motor skills remain impaired… Her family has not allowed her to return to the hospital. [to the hospital] “If he had sought medical attention later, the damage to his brain could have been greater and his recovery could have been more difficult,” she said.

A balanced diet can prevent vitamin B1 deficiency, said nutritionist Shi Lujun, adding that a proper diet should include whole grains and cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fats and oils, as well as protein sources such as meat, fish, eggs, beans and other legumes.

“You should reduce your intake of processed foods and include whole grains and cereals along with other food groups in your diet. You should also get into the habit of eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day to avoid vitamin B1 deficiency,” Shi said.