Which form of thiamine is a synthetic version used in supplements?

Thiamine hydrochloride is indeed a synthetic form of thiamine that is commonly used in dietary supplements. This form is a salt of thiamine and is highly soluble in water, making it easy for the body to absorb. In supplements, thiamine hydrochloride is often utilized to help prevent or treat thiamine deficiency, which can lead to health issues such as beriberi or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Understanding the forms of thiamine is crucial for distinguishing between naturally occurring and synthetic versions. Thiamine triphosphate and thiamine pyrophosphate are both biologically active forms of thiamine that occur naturally in the body, while thiamine mononitrate is another synthetic form, but thiamine hydrochloride is more prevalent in supplements. The structure and solubility of thiamine hydrochloride make it particularly suitable for supplementation.