From the Guidelines
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) has no significant direct effects on gastric acid production, and its supplementation is unlikely to help or harm stomach acid levels in most people. Thiamine is primarily involved in carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function rather than digestive acid regulation 1. The provided evidence does not support a direct link between thiamine and gastric acid production. Studies focusing on thiamine supplementation, such as those for bariatric surgery patients, emphasize its importance for preventing deficiency but do not indicate an effect on stomach acid levels 1.
Some people taking high doses of vitamin B1 supplements may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including slight stomach irritation, but this is not due to changes in acid production but rather a direct irritant effect of the supplement itself. The standard recommended daily allowance for thiamine is much lower (1.1-1.2mg for adults), which is easily obtained through a balanced diet including whole grains, meat, fish, and legumes.
Key points to consider:
- Thiamine's role is more closely related to carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function.
- High doses of thiamine might cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to irritant effects, not changes in acid production.
- The standard daily allowance for thiamine is easily met through a balanced diet.
- For persistent stomach acid issues, addressing them directly through appropriate acid-reducing medications or lifestyle changes is more effective than relying on vitamin B1 supplementation.
Given the current evidence, the most effective approach to managing gastric acid production is through targeted treatments and lifestyle adjustments, rather than thiamine supplementation 1.
From the Research
Effects of Thiamine on Gastric Acid Production
- There are no direct studies on the effects of thiamine (Vitamin B1) on gastric acid production in the provided evidence.
- The studies focus on the importance of thiamine in human health, its role in energy production, and the consequences of its deficiency 2, 3, 4.
- One study discusses the role of thiamine in nervous tissue, suggesting a possible independent function of thiamine in nervous tissue beyond its coenzyme function 5.
- Another study examines the effects of proton pump inhibitors on gut microbiota and immune response, but does not mention thiamine or its effects on gastric acid production 6.