# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) vs. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) →

Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble pyrimidine/thiazole vitamin acting as the Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP) coenzyme in pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase. Adult RDA is 1.2 mg (men) / 1.1 mg (women) (no Upper Limit established).

View full Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) spec sheet →
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) →

Vitamin B12 is a cobalt-containing water-soluble corrinoid synthesized exclusively by microorganisms. Adult RDA is 2.4µg/day (no Upper Limit established), required for DNA synthesis, methionine synthase homocysteine conversion, and myelin sheath maintenance.

View full Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Nutrient Type
Water-Soluble Thiazole Vitamin Water-Soluble Corrinoid Vitamin
Adult RDA / RDI
1.2 mg / day (Men) / 1.1 mg / day (Women) (+0.3mg during pregnancy) 2.4 µg / day (2.6µg pregnancy, 2.8µg lactation)
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Rapid renal clearance of excess) None Established (Extremely low toxicity)
Chemical Forms
Thiamine Monophosphate, Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP / TDP, active coenzyme), Benfotiamine (Lipid-soluble synthetic) Methylcobalamin (Active), Adenosylcobalamin (Active), Cyanocobalamin (Stable synthetic)
Primary Biological Function
Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (Links glycolysis to Krebs cycle), Transketolase (Pentose Phosphate Pathway), Myelin neurotransmission Methionine synthase cofactor, Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase cofactor, Myelin integrity, Erythropoiesis
Deficiency Condition
Beriberi (Wet beriberi: high-output heart failure; Dry beriberi: peripheral neuropathy), Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Pernicious / Megaloblastic Anemia, Irreversible Neurological Peripheral Neuropathy
Top Whole Food Sources
Pork Tenderloin, Sunflower Seeds, Nutritional Yeast, Enriched Grains, Black Beans, Flaxseeds Oysters, Beef Liver, Sardines, Salmon, Beef, Dairy, Eggs (Absent in unfortified plant foods)
Thermolability & Alcohol Interaction
Degraded by alkaline pH and high heat cooking; alcohol blocks intestinal active ThTr-1 transport —
Absorption Mechanism
— Requires Gastric Acid, R-Protein, and Intrinsic Factor (IF) via Ileal Cubam receptors

Other Alternatives to Compare

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