{"id":43645,"date":"2019-11-20T15:44:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T23:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=43645"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:19:19","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:19:19","slug":"health-benefits-benfotiamine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/health-benefits-benfotiamine\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Health Benefits of Benfotiamine + Mechanisms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Benfotiamine is a synthetic version of <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">thiamine<\/a>, also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">vitamin <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">B1<\/a>, which is essential for many of the body\u2019s functions including strengthening the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/primer-immune-system-works-videosimages\/\">immune system<\/a> and protecting the brain. Research suggests benfotiamine may be especially useful for protecting the body from the harmful byproducts of too much sugar and improving symptoms of diabetes and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/alzheimer\/\">Alzheimer&#8217;s<\/a> disease. Keep reading to learn more about this supplement.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_Is_Benfotiamine\"><a id=\"post-43645-_av25bxdndc2q\"><\/a><strong>What Is Benfotiamine?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1) that is more easily absorbed through digestion [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/13782394\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine is altered by gut enzymes (phosphatases) and then broken down into thiamine by <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/increase-decrease-red-blood-cells\/\">red blood cells<\/a> or in the liver [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20188835\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>In animal studies, taking a benfotiamine supplement<strong> increased blood levels of vitamin B1 five times<\/strong> as much as an equal dose of thiamine [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8929745\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18549472\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Mechanisms_of_Action\"><a id=\"post-43645-_pbjrxkk3oic\"><\/a><strong>Mechanisms of Action<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Benfotiamine may work by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Activating the enzyme transketolase, a necessary part of the pentose phosphate pathway that turns sugars into sources of energy instead of harmful advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12592403\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20188835\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21511829\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21511829\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Changing the production of specific enzymes (<a href=\"https:\/\/selfdecode.com\/gene\/nos3\/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002\">Nos3<\/a>, PKB\/<a href=\"https:\/\/selfdecode.com\/gene\/akt1\/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002\">Akt<\/a>) to increase cell regeneration and reduce cell death [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16416271\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19768736\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20107192\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19943121\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Altering how energy is used in cells to enhance healthy growth and suppress cancer development [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25695433\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16416271\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25849583\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Decreasing inflammation in brain cells and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells\/\">white blood cells<\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25695433\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20219672\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Inhibiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/gsk3b-inhibition-potent-pathway-improve-brain-function-mood\/\">GSK3b<\/a> gene, which improves brain health [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22961478\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/2268\/174169\">R<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>Inhibiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfdecode.com\/gene\/nox4\/\">NOX4<\/a> gene, which improves the breakdown of sugar in muscles [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21984258\">R<\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Health_Benefits_of_Benfotiamine\"><a id=\"post-43645-_whrfu1otsic2\"><\/a><strong>Health Benefits of Benfotiamine<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Possibly_Effective_for\"><a id=\"post-43645-_y0chimfzidg5\"><\/a><strong>Possibly Effective for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span id=\"1_Complications_from_Diabetes\"><a id=\"post-43645-_ldq2rcfyhpxn\"><\/a><strong>1) Complications from Diabetes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although it <strong>increased both <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/insulin-101\/\"><strong>insulin<\/strong><\/a><strong> levels and the breakdown of sugar for energy in animal and cell-based studies, <\/strong>the most promising benefit of benfotiamine in diabetics comes from its ability to <strong>block the production of the sugar byproducts that cause diabetic complications (advanced glycation end-products or AGEs)<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18393672\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/12592403\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23767955\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, benfotiamine reduced the levels of AGEs in 3 small trials on 56 diabetic people [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18663426\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fasebj.org\/content\/31\/1_Supplement\/646.32\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/citeseerx.ist.psu.edu\/viewdoc\/download?doi=10.1.1.617.7830&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>When paired with slow-release alpha-<a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/lipoic-acid\/\">lipoic acid<\/a>, benfotiamine<strong> reduced complications in nine diabetic patients<\/strong> by normalizing levels of AGEs and inhibiting other harmful protein reactions [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18663426\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine has been most widely investigated for improving AGE-derived nerve damage that causes weakness, numbness, and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/23-ways-to-combat-pain-naturally-by-increasing-your-opioids\/\">pain<\/a> (neuropathy) in people with this condition.<\/p>\n<p>In 4 studies on over 250 diabetic patients with neuropathy, 6-12 weeks of <strong>benfotiamine supplementation improved nerve damage and its symptoms, including pain<\/strong>. Benfotiamine also<strong> reduced the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/23-ways-to-combat-pain-naturally-by-increasing-your-opioids\/\"><strong>pain<\/strong><\/a><strong> caused by inflammation and nerve damage<\/strong> in diabetic mice [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18473286\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10219465\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/15726875\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20069914\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16359659\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>A combination of benfotiamine and vitamins <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/vitamin-b6\/\">B6<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/vitamin-b12\/\">B12<\/a> <strong>improved nerve damage and feeling in fingertips<\/strong> in two studies with 80 diabetic patients [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8886748\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10219465\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>However, two clinical trials (both 6-week and 24-month studies) in 90 diabetics found that benfotiamine supplementation did not improve nerve function, reduce inflammation, or improve blood vessel function [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3329837\/\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23701274\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>The daily supplements of benfotiamine <strong>protected 13 diabetic patients from the potentially harmful effects of a meal that contained high levels of AGEs <\/strong>by reducing free radical damage and blood vessel dysfunction [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16936154\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine protected diabetic mice from the harmful effects of excess sugar on the cardiovascular system. It <strong>improved circulation and blood vessel health, strengthened heartbeats, and reduced heart muscle cell death <\/strong>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19943121\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16416271\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20107192\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine increased the breakdown of sugar while reducing the production of NOX4 in muscle fibers. The NOX4 gene is involved in heart failure, kidney failure, and diabetic nerve damage [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21984258\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine also protected human retinal cells from high blood sugar by stabilizing cell structure and reducing cell death [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19768736\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine improved blood vessel health and kidney function in diabetic rats when combined with fenofibrate, a drug primarily used to reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/cholesterol\/\">cholesterol<\/a> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18830571\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>However, benfotiamine alone failed to improve kidney damage due to diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) and prevent AGE buildup in a clinical trial on 82 people [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2890365\/\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3391239\/\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Taken together, the existing evidence suggests that benfotiamine may help with some diabetic complications caused by the buildup of AGEs, especially nerve damage, although the results are mixed. Other potential benefits have only been studied in animals and the supplement is possibly ineffective for kidney damage due to diabetes. Discuss with your doctor if benfotiamine might help with your diabetic complications.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"2_Damaging_Effects_of_Alcohol\"><a id=\"post-43645-_bmj8uuap0jnx\"><\/a><strong>2) Damaging Effects of Alcohol<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Alcoholics are typically deficient in thiamine, which impairs their cognitive abilities and psychological well-being. Daily supplementation with benfotiamine <strong>improved depressive symptoms in 85 long-term alcoholics and reduced drinking in 21 alcohol-dependent women<\/strong>, suggesting it may facilitate recovery [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25908323\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23992649\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>However, a drug more commonly used for spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis (baclofen) was more effective than benfotiamine to prevent relapse in a clinical trial on 122 alcoholics [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/27808555\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>In 2 trials on almost 100 people, benfotiamine improved nerve damage caused by alcohol (alcoholic polyneuropathy). Its combination with vitamin B6 was also effective in 2 trials on over 300 people [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9872352\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11811123\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9064269\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9791922\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>A dose of benfotiamine 30 minutes after consuming alcohol <strong>protected the liver from damage<\/strong> in mice [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/27545821\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Promising but limited evidence suggests that benfotiamine may help with alcohol withdrawal and alcoholic polyneuropathy. You may discuss with your doctor if it may help as an add-on therapy in your case.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Insufficient_Evidence_for\"><a id=\"post-43645-_fjzkp5rau64b\"><\/a><strong>Insufficient Evidence for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of benfotiamine for any of the below listed uses. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking benfotiamine for these purposes and never use it as a replacement for approved medical therapies.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"1_Osteoarthritis\"><a id=\"post-43645-_fa2i10sigkxc\"><\/a><strong>1) Osteoarthritis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The buildup of AGEs also contributes to the progression of osteoarthritis. An AGEs inhibitor with benfotiamine and vitamins B6 and B12 taken for 24 weeks reduced pain and inflammation while improving mobility in a clinical trial on 30 people with this condition [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23354008\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"2_Reducing_the_Harmful_Effects_of_Smoking\"><a id=\"post-43645-_a6941uxcrnea\"><\/a><strong>2) Reducing the Harmful Effects of Smoking<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Smoking increases inflammation and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/oxidative-stress-101\/\">oxidative stress<\/a> in blood vessels, which can eventually lead to blood vessel dysfunction. Benfotiamine <strong>reduced these harmful effects by half<\/strong> in a small trial with 20 participants [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23091724\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"3_Reducing_the_Adverse_Effects_of_Hemodialysis\"><a id=\"post-43645-_f5so2hrgyeyv\"><\/a><strong>3) Reducing the Adverse Effects of Hemodialysis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a pilot study, benfotiamine enhanced the antioxidant defenses and <strong>reduced DNA damage<\/strong> in 15 hemodialysis patients [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/18509620\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine also <strong>protected the kidneys<\/strong> and gut of rats during dialysis by reducing harmful AGEs in the blood and stabilizing cell structure to reduce cell death [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25806370\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/21511829\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"4_Alzheimers_Disease\"><a id=\"post-43645-_pl7t0htvhpyz\"><\/a><strong>4) Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Benfotiamine <strong>improved the cognitive abilities of 5 patients with mild-to-moderate <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/alzheimer\/\"><strong>Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong><\/a><strong> Disease<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/27696179\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, it reduced cognitive impairment and the buildup of a protein that triggers Alzheimer\u2019s (beta-amyloid) in mice [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20385653\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6077804\/\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>In a cell-based study, benfotiamine prevented the accumulation of plaques associated with Alzheimer\u2019s disease in brain cells by reducing the production of GSK3 [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22961478\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine also <strong>reduced inflammation in brain cells, a known cause of neurodegenerative diseases<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25695433\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Animal_and_Cell_Research_Lack_of_Evidence\"><a id=\"post-43645-_oula3gyhjn5q\"><\/a><strong>Animal and Cell Research (Lack of Evidence)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No clinical evidence supports the use of benfotiamine for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Depression_and_Anxiety\"><a id=\"post-43645-_xxdx2ni70e15\"><\/a><strong>Depression and Anxiety<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Benfotiamine <strong>reduced <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/natural-treatments-depression\/\"><strong>depression<\/strong><\/a><strong> symptoms and improved mental function <\/strong>in mice by decreasing production of GSK3b. This triggers <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-serotonin\">serotonin<\/a> pathways that may reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/natural-treatments-anxiety\/\">anxiety<\/a> and help heal damaged brain cell connections [<a href=\"http:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/2268\/174169\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine reduced the impact of <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science\/\">stress<\/a> on mice, <strong>improving anxiety symptoms and reducing brain cell degeneration<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/28506637\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Recovery_from_Heart_Attack\"><a id=\"post-43645-_afn0u2hiiw0d\"><\/a><strong>Recovery from Heart Attack<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By enhancing the growth of new blood vessels and decreasing the rate of cell death in mouse hearts, benfotiamine <strong>improved the rate of recovery after a heart attack<\/strong> [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20542491\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Inflammation_and_Pain\"><a id=\"post-43645-_w5bwiojgu8sg\"><\/a><strong>Inflammation and Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Benfotiamine prevented cell death and inflammation due to bacterial toxins in mouse immune cells [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20219672\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Taken with <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/top-15-scientific-health-benefits-of-resveratrol-with-references\/\">resveratrol<\/a>, a natural phenol found in the skin of grapes, benfotiamine reduced pain in mice [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22128427\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Chemotherapy_Side_Effects\"><a id=\"post-43645-_au2kpwrc8jdn\"><\/a><strong>Chemotherapy Side Effects<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Benfotiamine <strong>protected nerves from damage due to chemotherapy<\/strong> in rats when paired with <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/erythopoietin-101\/\">erythropoietin<\/a>, a hormone that stimulates the production of new red blood cells.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Limitations_and_Caveats\"><a id=\"post-43645-_41oslgnr1c3\"><\/a><strong>Limitations and Caveats<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most clinical trials on the supplement concern diabetics with nerve damage. Additional clinical research will be necessary to confirm the health benefits of benfotiamine in individuals with other diseases and conditions.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Side_Effects_Precautions\"><a id=\"post-43645-_emvwpc6tfqfa\"><\/a><strong>Side Effects &amp; Precautions<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Keep in mind that the safety profile of benfotiamine is relatively unknown, given the lack of well-designed clinical studies. The list of side effects below is not a definite one and you should consult your doctor about other potential side effects based on your health condition and possible drug or supplement interactions<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There have not been any adverse effects from benfotiamine alone reported in the scientific literature. However, there is anecdotal evidence of nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure in some cases.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Drug_Interactions\"><a id=\"post-43645-_ruo6qqkuaoac\"><\/a><strong>Drug Interactions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>Supplement\/Herb\/Nutrient-drug interactions can be dangerous and, in rare cases, even life-threatening. Always consult your doctor before supplementing and let them know about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Research on interactions involving benfotiamine and thiamine is lacking. Benfotiamine may be useful when taking medication or supplements that lower blood levels of vitamin B1, such as diuretics and certain heart medications [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10842416\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/9851552\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<p>Benfotiamine contains sulfur and is therefore <strong>not recommended for people with sulfur sensitivity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Supplementation\"><a id=\"post-43645-_f4qa2pvi0wlg\"><\/a><strong>Supplementation<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Because benfotiamine is not approved by the FDA for any conditions, there is no official dose. Users and supplement manufacturers have established unofficial doses based on trial and error. Discuss with your doctor what dose may be preferable in you case.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Dosage\"><a id=\"post-43645-_cc1t3j4u5j4q\"><\/a><strong>Dosage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Clinical trials have found benfotiamine to be <strong>most effective in dosages of 300 to 600 mg per day<\/strong>, divided into two doses [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/10219465\">R<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25908323\">R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"User_Experiences\"><a id=\"post-43645-_ihqbceqx8asl\"><\/a><strong>User Experiences<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>The opinions expressed in this section are solely those of benfotiamine users, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. Their reviews do not represent the opinions of SelfHacked. SelfHacked does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Do not consider user experiences as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers because of something you have read on SelfHacked. We understand that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Most users took benfotiamine for all sorts of painful conditions, including diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and eye inflammation (uveitis). They generally reported substantial improvement without adverse effects. However, some dissatisfied users complained that the supplement didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Benfotiamine is a synthetic version of <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">thiamine<\/a>, also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">vitamin <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/thiamine\/\">B1<\/a>, which is essential for many of the body\u2019s functions including strengthening the <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/primer-immune-system-works-videosimages\/\">immune system<\/a> and protecting the brain. Research suggests benfotiamine may be especially useful for protecting the body from the harmful byproducts of too much sugar and improving symptoms of diabetes and <a href=\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/alzheimer\/\">Alzheimer&#8217;s<\/a> disease. Keep reading to learn more about this supplement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14687,"featured_media":54204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15594],"tags":[279],"yst_prominent_words":[5120,940,17592,763,4462,5122,27131,27132,20227,27135,27133,27134,5118,9489,8166,511,515,529,5121,5117],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43645"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43645"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97185,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43645\/revisions\/97185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43645"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=43645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}