Integrity of Thiamine HCL Powder when it hardens in storage.

[D_Korolev]

I have spent some time searching for a “definitive” answer to something that intrigues me rather than causes me any upset or distress. In July 2018, I bought a 250 gram packet of thiamine HCL powder from a reputable supplier in the UK. [I’m withholding the supplier’s name because I’m not sure if being specific contravenes rules about advertising on HU forums). I could have bought a much smaller packet, but I thought, providing I took the trouble to store said powder in airtight containers, it should be perfectly usable in weeks to come. I had been warned by those with greater experience of these things, to keep the powder away from undue exposure to light.

A few weeks after starting the high dose thiamine protocol, I noticed that the thiamine was becoming significantly harder to scoop up with a spoon. A bit of scraping was required, but that was easy and no big deal. But then I wondered if this powder was as potent as it was when purchased (about 5 weeks previously). It had a best before date of April 2021! I thought that the unusually high temperatures we had been experiencing here in the UK over the summer might have had some bearing on this. I continued to persist with this batch of thiamine even though the powder was becoming like rock in some parts of the container in use.

I even included a “thiamine query” in two of my regular emails to Dr C. He must have been too busy to notice this or perhaps he thought that this was not a clinical question. He has since addressed my point which I again raised much later in the year and I am most grateful for his advice. See later.

In the meantime, I decided that I would buy another similar sized batch from the same suppliers since it didn’t cost a fortune and the hot summer days were behind us. I had planned not to open the second purchase until I was ready to use the new batch. To cut a long story short, I did use the new batch before the original had been used up because the first batch was fast becoming like rock in places! I even bought some new Oxo (sealed) containers in which we have successfully stored quantities of sugar and salt kept in our kitchen. Both the sugar and salt remains “loose” and easy to handle. That is to say, these compounds have retained their integrity when stored in these Oxo containers. We thought "Why not use similar small containers for thiamine HCL Powder?". We did and after three weeks, there are disturbing signs of the hardness appearing in the containers. These sealed containers are stored in dark cardboard “archive” boxes which are kept in a bedroom which has not been subjected to extremes of temperature or to any dampness. We have had a mild temperate autumn (so far) in the UK.

I mentioned all the above points since I anticipated a volley of questions and points from other members of our group were I to write just a short summary of our experience with thiamine HCL. I believe someone out there must have a useful suggestion or two about how to store this powder so that it does not degrade. As I alluded to earlier, I do not mind hacking away at the rock-like substance providing someone with suitable qualifications in this field can assure me that the hardened thiamine will not have lost any potency. It has not discoloured in any way.

I return to Dr C’s advice which I have acted upon and for which I am grateful. Granted, he has not had the opportunity of seeing or sampling our thiamine supply and so his advice is understandably cautious. In effect, he says that where there is an element of doubt about the thiamine powder’s integrity, it is best to purchase some thiamine tablets and proceed with the protocol accordingly. I bought the Solgar 500 mg variety which I elect to chew rather than swallow and this works fine. I appreciate that those of us who are battling or struggling to live with PD symptoms have more important things to deal with than hardened thiamine powder. I am still searching for the optimal dose of thiamine and Dr C has been extremely helpful in this regard. With that in mind, I do not want to elevate my query into anything approaching a “controversy”. However, I remain puzzled by this experience!

One of the reasons I am submitting this post is that I am anxious to spare other users the same “rocky” experience that I have had with thiamine powder.

In summary then:

1. What causes thiamine powder to become hard?

2. If thiamine powder does become hard (for whatever reason), has this vitamin lost its potency?

Any constructive thoughts would be welcome. Thanks for your time.

[Despe]

Write to the supplier and query about the integrity of the Thiamine you purchased.

[D_Korolev in reply to Despe]

I telephoned and emailed the suppliers who were only too happy to help and they provided information supplied by their scientific people. Unfortunately, they did not actually answer my specific question. They genuinely meant well but the answers were too general and were mostly stating the obvious facts about storage. I did not pursue the matter further because I had a feeling that it would not elicit any more information. I sincerely believe that the product itself was OK (when I purchased it). However, I cannot be certain since I am not a pharmacist nor a chemist. Thanks for your comment.

[Buckholt]

I think you may have answered your own question. Rather than worry about storage solutions for the powder and decline in quality, just take tablets or capsules! The added benefit is that the dosage is constant and reliable as well.

[D_Korolev in reply to Buckholt]

Thanks Buckholt. That is a fair point you make. I had invested in some good digital scales made by Homgeek. The procedure involving the thiamine powder was going very well. Added to which, it is actually cheaper to buy your own thiamine and then add to water. I think if we can understand WHY this thiamine powder went hard so soon, some seasoned thiamine users would feel more confident about purchasing this vitamin in powder form.

[Erniediaz1018]

The first answer that came to mind is the product was compromised before you got it. I buy bulk from nutrivita in the U.S. Had it for over six months and no caking. But what does work to prevent that is put your bagged product in rice.

[D_Korolev in reply to Erniediaz1018]

Thanks for your comment & suggestion. I'll bear this in mind. As I said in my reply to Despe (above), the powder seemed in good shape when I purchased it. The rice idea seems a good one to try in future. Thanks.

[ruff1]

I also bought 250g of powder from a supplier in Britain, I’ve kept it in an airtight container ( one with 4 tags on the lid that click closed tightly on to the base ) . My husband has used it since March, it is almost finished probably two weeks worth left and I have only just noticed the powder forming into lumps , it still dissolves easily into squash. I keep the tub which is a clear tub in the bottom of a kitchen cupboard out of day light . I think that using powder is better than taking lots of capsules, I wonder what the effect of eating 8 capsules a day will have over a king period if time , probably nothing but I’d rather my husband didn’t take them, he finds swallowing them difficult so taking capsules isn’t an option for him 😀

[D_Korolev in reply to ruff1]

Thanks ruff1 for that feedback. I appreciate your response.

[park_bear]

Thiamine hydrochloride is hygroscopic - Meaning it absorbs water from the humidity in the atmosphere. This is the cause of your caking - there is nothing wrong with the product.

dsm.com/content/dam/dsm/nip...

" The stability of thiamin during storage depends greatly on the moisture content

of the food. Flours with a 12 percent moisture content retain 88 percent of the added thiamin after five months. If the moisture level is reduced to 6 percent, no losses occur. "

One strategy you could use to avoid this problem is to vacuum pack your main storage, and withdraw one week's worth at a time into a small container. Another strategy would be to use some sort of moisture absorbent device inside the container. In the US, food saver offers an adapter for evacuating jars:

foodsaver.com/accessories-a...

Hope that helps.

[D_Korolev in reply to park_bear]

Thanks very much for that feedback and for the links. Plenty of useful information which I will read shortly. I think this is the sort of thing I have been looking for. I do appreciate your help. Thanks again.