Researchers Find Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Helps to Reverse Early Diabetic Kidney Damage

Researchers have discovered that high doses of thiamine can reverse early diabetic kidney damage.

High doses of thiamine, vitamin B1, were found to stop the loss of a key protein in the urine of people with type 2 diabetes, researchers at Warwick University found.

Although scientists say the results aren't conclusive, thiamine is a relatively inexpensive B vitamin. Since about 70 percent to 90 percent of people with type 1 or 2 diabetes are thiamine deficient, it would be beneficial overall for them to take more B1.

Vitamin B1 is found in in meat, yeast and grain.

Researchers from Warwick University worked with the University of Punjab and Sheik Zaid Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan for the study.

The study used 40 participants in Pakistan to test the efficacy of 300 vitamin B1 taken orally for three days. One third of the study participants had a return to normal for albumin excretions in the urine.

Results of the study are published online in the journal Diabetologi.