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Vitamin B1 (Thiamine, clinical)

Neurology · Alcohol recovery · Energy

Tier 2 — Promising

What it is

Essential for glucose metabolism and nerve function. Deficiency causes beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy — a neurological emergency. Alcohol depletes thiamine rapidly. A 2024 systematic review confirmed high-dose IV thiamine prevents irreversible brain damage in at-risk patients. Oral supplementation at 100–300 mg/day supports recovery. Extremely safe — no upper limit established.

Efficacy

4/5

Safety

5/5

Research

4/5

Onset

4/5

Cost

5/5

Drug-int.

5/5

Dose

100–300 mg/day oral for alcohol recovery or deficiency risk; 1.1–1.2 mg/day RDA for general health

Time of day & tips

Take with food. Water-soluble so toxicity is not a concern. Essential for anyone with high alcohol intake. Benfotiamine is the fat-soluble alternative for peripheral neuropathy.

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