Vitamin B1 in Marmite helps fight diabetes, heart diseases
POSTED December 8, 2010 - 10:50 | POSTED BY Yashika kapoor
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on December 8, 2010 - 12:40
A team of researchers from the Bristol University in England initiated the present study that aimed to find the benefits of Vitamin B1 in fighting potentially fatal heart diseases.
Marmite is commonly used as a bread spread and has a distinctive, strong flavor, which is extremely salty and savory. Scientists have claimed that such foods can work wonders in curing severe ailments that have become common in modern times.
Professor Paolo Madeddu, lead-author of the present study said, “Supplementation with benfotiamine from early stages of diabetes improved the survival and healing of the hearts of diabetic mice that have had heart attacks, and helped prevent cardiovascular disease in mice with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.”
Study details
For the present study, a panel of researchers conducted trials on mice and found that a compound called benofotiamine played a key role in saving them from the deadly effects of diabetes and heart problems. Also, they suggest that similar effects may be witnessed for humans also.
The compound works by speeding up the healing process of the tissues after the heart has been damaged by a stroke or heart attack, the researchers explained.
The study authors also hope to devise special drugs using this compound to fight from diabetes and heart illnesses.
“Benfotiamine could be a novel treatment for people with diabetes, and the next step in this research will be testing whether similar -effects are seen in humans," Madeddu said.
Need for more research
Though the study authors have shown their belief in the miraculous properties of vitamin B1 for treating diabetes and heart problems, Diabetes UK, the charity that financed the study recommends not jumping at conclusions and calls for human trials.
"We would like to note that it is still too early to draw any firm conclusions about the role of vitamin B1 in the prevention of complications and we would not advise that people look to vitamin supplements to reduce their risk of cardiovascular complications at this stage," said Dr Victoria King, Research Head of the organization.
"Taking prescribed medication, eating a healthy balanced diet and regular physical activity is key to good diabetes management," she said.
The study and its findings have been briefed in the 'Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.'
