Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble, B-complex vitamin necessary for metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Thiamine is involved as a cofactor in numerous enzymes, and is essential to form thiamine pyrophosphate coenzyme, a necessary component for carbohydrate metabolism.
Thiamine deficiency causes, beriberi, which is a disorder typically associated with a diet consisting largely of polished rice. India being large rice consuming country, Indians are very much in risk of thiamine deficiency.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
