Surprising
In septic shock patients, a meta-analysis linked vitamin B1 to a 52% lower need for kidney replacement therapy — but the evidence comes from just 438 people across a handful of small trials.
This is an early, promising signal that thiamin might protect kidneys during severe sepsis, but with so few patients and no specified dose, it’s far from a proven therapy — think intriguing clue, not settled science.
Researchers pooled data from several small trials of thiamin (vitamin B1) given to patients with septic shock, a life-threatening condition where organs often fail. They found that those who received thiamin were about half as likely to need dialysis or other kidney replacement therapy, and were also less likely to die in the hospital. However, the total number of patients studied was small (438), the dose wasn’t reported, and this is one of the first analyses on this question — so the results need confirmation in larger, more rigorous trials before drawing firm conclusions.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Vitamin B1 for Reduced Renal Replacement Therapy — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Meta-Analysis
- n = 438
- 2025-11-24
- Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
- PubMed: 41277404
- DOI: 10.1002/ncp.70073
- Full study breakdown →
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.