VITAMIN B1 Vitamin B1, scientific name THIAMINE is a water-soluble vitamin, insoluble in alcohol, which is part of the B complex (vitamins B1 to B12). Its absorption occurs in the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) as free thiamine and as thiamine diphosphate (TDP). Such absorption is favored by the presence of vitamin C and folic acid, but inhibited by ethanol (ethyl alcohol). It is necessary in the daily diet of most vertebrates and some microorganisms. Its lack in man can lead to beriberi and Korsakoff syndrome. Vitamin B1 was discovered by the Japanese Umetaro Susuki in 1910, when he was researching why wheat bran cured beriberi patients.
