Thiamin

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin essential for converting carbohydrates into energy and supporting proper cellular function throughout the body.[1] It exists primarily in phosphorylated forms, such as thiamine diphosphate (TDP), which acts as a coenzyme for key metabolic enzymes involved in glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism.[1] Chemically, thiamine is a colorless compound with the formula C₁₂H₁₇N₄OS⁺, soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol, and it is naturally present in various foods while also being added to fortified products like cereals and bread.[2] First identified in the early 20th century as the curative factor for beriberi, thiamine cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained through diet or supplements, with the liver serving as its primary storage site due to its short half-life of about 18 days.[3]