On Fri, 4 Sep 1998, Amadeus Schmidt wrote:

> I checked my favourite vitamin book and indeed found some
> evidence for my supposition.
> Vitamin B1 is indeed needed for every proce
> ss, where carbohydrates are
> "burnt". Especially energy-gain in nerves and brain cells is only
> possible if B1 is present sufficiently.
> I think I am rhight to assume that each kind of calorie (also fat)
> has to be converted to a form of carbohydrate, before the cell
> actually burns it, and then B1 is also needed for burning fats.

I think this is not true in ketosis, in which most cells burn the
ketones directly or, after a period of adaptation, free fatty
acids.  Some cells, such as the cells in fast-twitch muscle fiber
and certain brain cells, have to have glucose, so these would
need adequate B1 to use it.  In short, the B1 requirement may
depend upon whether or not one is in ketosis.

I don't recall the RDA for B1.  Do you know it?

Todd Moody
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