In their recent systematic review, ter Borg et al.⁽ Reference ter Borg, Verlaan and Hemsworth ^{1 )} estimated that 50 % of older (≥65 years) men and 39 % of older women are failing to reach the estimated average requirement for thiamine. This is noteworthy, as thiamine has a unique role in brain physiology as an essential cofactor for glucose metabolism; it is especially important for normal cognitive function in the elderly⁽ Reference Butterworth ^{2 )}; and thiamine insufficiency is linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease⁽ Reference Gibson, Hirsch and Fonzetti ^{3 )}.

Nevertheless, as noted by ter Borg et al., concerns over thiamine deficiencies are generally discounted in Western countries. This is partly because white flour products and breakfast cereals are commonly fortified with thiamine, and this vitamin also occurs naturally in a wide range of foods: good sources include whole grains, trout, pork, peas and beans. However, some sectors of the elderly population may be making dietary choices that compromise their thiamine intake and increase their vulnerability to thiamine insufficiency. For example, an increasing number of elderly people in Western countries are being diagnosed as gluten intolerant⁽ Reference Johnson, Ellis and Asante ^{4 )}. When they replace wheat-based products with gluten-free products, they are at an increased risk of thiamine deficiency, as gluten-free products – unlike wheat-based products – are not usually fortified with this vitamin⁽ Reference Shepherd and Gibson ^{5 )}. A second cause for concern relates to the rise in the consumption of ready meals and convenience foods by the elderly⁽ Reference Hoffman ^{6 )}. Sulphites destroy thiamine, and yet in the UK they are a common preservative in convenience meat products such as pork sausages, in canned pulses and in many ready meals and convenience foods containing potatoes. For example, consumption of fresh pork is declining in the UK diet^{( 7 )}; and whereas a grilled pork chop is an excellent source of thiamine (0·78 mg/100 g), grilled sausages contain only trace amounts^{( 8 )}. Losses of thiamine during the production of ready meals are also likely, as this vitamin is very heat-sensitive and leaches into cooking water⁽ Reference Velísek ^{9 )}. The extent to which this occurs during ready meal production is not known.

Despite the wide range of factors affecting thiamine levels in foods, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) in the UK has reported very low levels of deficiency in the over 65-year-olds⁽ Reference Bates, Lennox and Prentice ^{10 )}. Thiamine levels were determined by measuring activation of the thiamine-dependent enzyme transketolase by thiamine pyrophosphate – the erythrocyte transketolase activation coefficient (ETKAC). However, this assay has not been fully validated for measuring thiamine status in the elderly, it is subject to limitations and hence it has been recommended that the ETKAC should be used in conjunction with other measurements^{( 11 )}. Direct measurement of thiamine levels to complement the ETKAC would also help address inconsistencies between NDNS data and the study by ter Borg et al. As new eating trends mean that some sectors of the elderly population are increasing their likelihood of thiamine insufficiency, consideration could be given to not using sulphites in sausages (as is already the case in some countries) and to fortifying gluten-free products with thiamine. It is likely that many micronutrient deficiencies contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia⁽ Reference Cardoso, Cominetti and Cozzolino ^{12 )}, and thiamine certainly deserves more attention to ensure that it is not one of these contributors.