Vitamin B1 Helps in Energy Production and Protects the Nervous System
Blueberries contain Vitamin B1, also called thiamin, which assists the cells in transforming blood sugar into energy. B1 is something the body must have in order to maintain normal growth and development. It also helps to maintain the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. This is a vitamin that is water-soluble which means that it lives in the blood stream and if it isn't used will leave the body in the urine. It is not stored in the body until it is absorbed, usually into muscle tissue. Studies have shown that people with diabetes may become low on this vitamin. Some of the diabetic symptoms can be caused because diabetics expel B1 at 15 times the rate of non-diabetics. This vitamin also plays a very important role in the prevention of vascular problems by protecting cells from the effects of high glucose levels. The vascular problems that it protects against are serious health issues such as kidney, retina and nerve damage as well as heart disease and stroke.
Benefits to the Nervous SystemAnother benefit of this vitamin is that it helps with development and function of the nervous system. This is done in two ways: by promoting healthy development of myelin sheaths on nerve cells, and by producing acetylcholine. The myelin sheaths are fat-like coverings which surround most nerves. Without B1, nerves can be damaged causing pain, prickly sensations, and nerve deadening. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter (transmits messages between nerves and muscles). Acetylcholine cannot be produced without proper levels of B1.
This vitamin can help prevent and treat the symptoms of several health complications including: -Alzheimer's disease -Congestive heart failure -Depression -Diabetic symptoms -Epilepsy -Fybromyalgia -Multiple Sclerosis
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