Meta Information
ID:thiamine
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/intervention/magnesium
Target name:
Magnesium
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Magnesium is an essential cofactor required to convert thiamine into its biologically active form, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), which is critical for energy metabolism.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate magnesium intake, as thiamine supplementation may be ineffective in magnesium-deficient states.
Target id:
/class/loop-diuretics
Target name:
Loop Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Loop diuretics significantly increase the urinary excretion of thiamine, which can lead to severe deficiency, particularly with long-term use in conditions like heart failure.
Actionable advice:
If taking loop diuretics long-term, discuss thiamine supplementation with your healthcare provider to prevent deficiency.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-acute
Target name:
Alcohol
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Chronic alcohol consumption is a primary cause of thiamine deficiency by impairing its absorption from the intestine and its activation in the liver.
Actionable advice:
Avoid or strictly limit alcohol intake; individuals with chronic alcohol use require significantly higher thiamine intake.
Target id:
/condition/heart-failure
Target name:
Heart Failure
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Thiamine deficiency is common in patients with heart failure, due to poor nutrition, diuretic use, and malabsorption, and can worsen cardiac function.
Actionable advice:
Patients with heart failure, especially those on diuretics, should have their thiamine status monitored and supplement as advised by a physician.
Target id:
/procedure/bariatric-surgery
Target name:
Bariatric Surgery
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Anatomical changes from bariatric surgery can severely impair thiamine absorption, placing patients at high risk for developing neurological complications like Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Actionable advice:
Strict adherence to post-bariatric surgery vitamin protocols, including thiamine, is essential.
Target id:
/intervention/fluorouracil-5-fu
Target name:
Fluorouracil (5-FU) Chemotherapy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
The chemotherapy agent 5-FU inhibits the enzyme that converts thiamine to its active form, potentially inducing acute thiamine deficiency and severe neurological symptoms.
Actionable advice:
Consult your oncologist about thiamine supplementation if you are receiving fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.
Target id:
/dietary/tannin-rich-beverages
Target name:
Tea and Coffee
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
1
Description:
Tannins and other polyphenols in tea and coffee can bind to thiamine in the gut, forming an insoluble complex that prevents its absorption.
Actionable advice:
Separate thiamine supplements from coffee or tea by at least one hour.
Target id:
/class/proton-pump-inhibitors
Target name:
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Long-term use of acid-suppressing medications like PPIs can reduce thiamine absorption, as it requires an acidic environment for optimal uptake.
Actionable advice:
If on long-term PPI therapy, be aware of the risk for thiamine deficiency and consider periodic monitoring.
Target id:
/dietary/raw-fish-shellfish
Target name:
Raw Fish and Shellfish
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Certain types of raw fish, ferns, and shellfish contain thiaminase, an enzyme that actively destroys thiamine, leading to deficiency with regular consumption.
Actionable advice:
Cook fish and shellfish thoroughly to inactivate the thiaminase enzyme.
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Renal Impairment / Dialysis
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Patients with kidney disease, particularly those on hemodialysis, experience increased clearance of water-soluble vitamins like thiamine, increasing deficiency risk.
Actionable advice:
Patients on dialysis should follow a renal vitamin protocol that includes thiamine supplementation.
Target id:
/intervention/b-complex
Target name:
B-Complex Vitamins
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Thiamine functions as part of a complex network of B vitamins; its metabolic pathways are interconnected with B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12.
Actionable advice:
Take thiamine as part of a B-complex supplement or ensure a diet rich in all B vitamins for balanced metabolic support.
Target id:
/dietary/high-carbohydrate-meal
Target name:
High Refined Carbohydrate Diet
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Thiamine is a critical cofactor for carbohydrate metabolism. A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar increases the body's demand for thiamine.
Actionable advice:
Ensure higher thiamine intake if consuming a diet rich in refined carbohydrates to support energy metabolism.
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Taking thiamine with food can slightly enhance its absorption and may reduce the potential for minor gastrointestinal upset.
Actionable advice:
Take thiamine with a meal for best results.
Target id:
/class/anticonvulsants
Target name:
Anticonvulsant Medications (e.g., Phenytoin)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Long-term therapy with certain anticonvulsant drugs, such as phenytoin, has been associated with lower blood levels of thiamine.
Actionable advice:
If on long-term anticonvulsant therapy, discuss your nutritional status, including thiamine, with your doctor.
Target id:
/intervention/metformin_systemic_healthspan
Target name:
Metformin
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Some evidence suggests that long-term metformin use may interfere with thiamine transport within cells, though this interaction is less established than its effect on vitamin B12.
Actionable advice:
While taking metformin, ensure adequate intake of B vitamins, including thiamine and B12.
Target id:
/intervention/alpha-lipoic-acid
Target name:
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Both thiamine (as TPP) and ALA are essential cofactors for the same key enzyme complexes (pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase) in cellular energy production.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking ALA and thiamine together to synergistically support mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.
Target id:
/dietary/sulfite-containing-foods
Target name:
Foods with Sulfite Preservatives
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Sulfites, used as preservatives in wine, dried fruits, and some processed foods, can chemically cleave and inactivate thiamine.
Actionable advice:
Limit intake of foods and beverages high in sulfites to preserve thiamine status.