Taking Vitamin B1 for Bugs

I’ve never tried it but, I’ve heard that you can take vitamin B1 for bugs.

How Does it Work?
Researchers believe that Vitamin B1 (thiamin) works by producing a skin odor that’s not noticeable by humans, but that biting bugs greatly dislike. If taking a B1 supplement, the recommended dosage is 25 to 50mg three times a day, though it takes roughly two weeks for the vitamin to build up in your system and start keeping bugs at bay. Tablets of brewer’s yeast, which is high in B1, effectively repel biting bugs.

Patches
To make it easier to take vitamin B1 for bugs, easy to apply patches are beginning to make their way into health food stores, such as the “Bug Patch” and the “Don’t Bug Me” patch.

Foods
Some foods that are high in B1 include:
• Sunflower seeds are particularly high in thiamin
• Beans, such as black beans, green peas, and lentils
• Whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice
• Yeast (brewer’s yeast supplements)
• Dark leafy greens such as kale
• Organ meats, such as liver
• Enriched bread products
• Cauliflower
• Asparagus
• Potatoes
• Oranges
• Pork
• Corn
• Eggs

One thing to note, especially if you’re upping your intake of vitamin B1 for bugs; since it is water soluble, B1 is automatically flushed from the body and your reserves will need to be stocked regularly, either by taking a vitamin supplement or eating foods rich in the vitamin.