Benefits / uses
Benfotiamine Helps Neuropathy
In fact, although new to the American nutritional market, Benfotiamine has been used in Germany for ten years to treat diabetic neuropathy, as well as sciatica and other nerve related problems.
Diabetic neuropathy is a notoriously difficult health problem to treat, showing very little improvement, even with alternative protocols. Benfotiamine supplementation may be the most effective protocol to date, and one that has been proven in clinical studies. Several human studies have demonstrated a reversal in diabetic neuropathy, with improved nerve function and reduction of pain.
Although various dosages of Benfotiamine were all shown to result in improvements, one study with 3 groups of diabetics with polyneuropathy who were given various dosages (150 mg or more), found the larger dose (320 mg/day) to be more effective. This study looked at five parameters of neuropathy: pain sensation, vibration sensation, and electrical current perception threshold at three frequencies.
Other Nervous System Disorders
Vitamin B1 is often called the 'nerve vitamin' because it is so intimately involved with the health of the nervous system. Although it is very rare to see the extreme form of B1 deficiency in our country, people who drink a lot of alcohol or live on excessive amounts of depleted, highly processed foods like white bread and sugary cereals, might not obtain adequate amounts. Large amounts of vitamin B1 are used up in metabolizing carbohydrates to produce energy, so a high carbohydrate diet can contribute to creating a deficiency state of B1.
Prevents memory loss
Benfotiamine supplements have proven useful for people who drink alcohol regularly. Consumption of alcohol usually depletes thiamin levels in one's body, which can cause side effects such as impaired awareness, muscle weakness, apathy, fatigue, disorientation and lethargy.
Good for diabetes
Studies show that Benfotiamine works effectively to help prevent the production of AGEs, popularly referred to as Advanced Glycation End Products. Although AGEs are usually found in our bodies, they tend to accumulate in diabetic patients leading to further complications. Therefore, consumption of Benfotiamine supplements is recommended for diabetics.
Boosts cardiovascular health
Benfotiamine supplements also improve cellular health and cardiovascular health. They also help improve nerve health, reduce high blood pressure, treat fibromyalgia and prevent build-up of lactic acid after strenuous activity.
Doses
In some studies, the participants were started at an initial high dose of 340 mg or even as high as 600 mg for several weeks, and then the doses might be gradually reduced to a maintenance level. Many people prefer the idea of starting at a lower dose, 100 to 150 mg a day, and then gradually increasing the dose over a period of weeks or months. The indications are that Benfotiamine is safe at reasonable daily doses, and people will have to determine what dose provides the maximum neurological benefits for them.
When to take/Types to take
Vitamin B1 supplements are best taken with a meal.
Commercially, vitamin B-1, is available as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate. Thiamine hydrochloride is derived from acetic acid (from the distillation of wood). Thiamine mononitrate is prepared from thiamine hydrochloride by removing the hydrochloride and substituting nitric acid. Either form provides a reliable sourece of vitamin B-1.
Possible Side effects / Precautions / Possible Interactions:
Benfotiamine supplements have a perfect safety record. In fact, there are no known side effects liked to it or interactions with medication. On the contrary, some drugs actually cause thiamine deficiency and Benfotiamine can help to correct the situation.
Symptoms of excessive dosing could include a feeling of warmth, weakness, sweating, nausea, restlessness, difficulty breathing, tightness of the throat or even bluish colored skin.
Research studies / References
Articles and Abstracts Regarding Benfotiamine Research