Thiamine Supplementation Improved Lipid Levels

A study published in January 2014 reports that thiamine supplementation improves lipid levels
and markers of kidney function in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Currently, 8.3 percent of
Americans have diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44
percent of new cases. Additionally, adult diabetics have heart disease death rates about two-to-four times higher than adults without diabetes.

The subjects included 60 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 26 individuals without diabetes
matched for age and body mass index. The subjects received 100 mg of thiamine daily for six
months. The researchers evaluated metabolic profiles, serum thiamine and anthropometrics
routinely.

The investigators found that thiamine supplementation resulted in significantly decreased
total cholesterol levels after three months of supplementation. Additionally, the researchers
showed that serum creatinine, a marker of kidney function, significantly improved with thiamine
supplementation. Thiamine and its derivatives measured in the serum and urine also improved.
Among the subjects with type 2 diabetes, thiamine supplementation improved mean serum low-
density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, serum and urine thiamine and thiamine
derivatives and serum creatinine.

The researchers concluded, “Thiamine supplementation is a promising adjuvant therapy for
patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Longer clinical trials are needed to determine its protective effect in type 2 diabetes mellitus complications.”

To schedule an appointment contact the office of Rimma L. Sherman, M.D., F.A.C.I.M., F.A.C.P. at Integrative Medicine of New Jersey:

Reference:
Al-Attas O, et al. Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2014;7:1-6.