Benefits of Vitamine B1 - The Water Soluble Version Benfotiamine

Benfotiamine: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions https://www.verywellhealth.
com/benfotiamine-89417
SUPPLEMENTS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
What Is Benfotiamine?
This thiamine derivative may help diabetic neuropathy and
Alzheimer's
By Cathy Wong Updated on December 29, 2021
Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
1 of 22 6/03/2022, 3:05 am
Benfotiamine: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions https://www.verywellhealth.com/benfotiamine-89417
Table of Contents
Uses
Side E�ects
Dosages
What to Look For
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Benfotiamine is a dietary supplement. It treats diabetic neuropathy

(nerve pain) and Alzheimer's disease.
8 of 22 6/03/2022, 3:05 am
Benfotiamine is a lab-created version of thiamine (vitamin B1). Your body

absorbs it better than natural B1. So some people use it to raise thiamine
levels.
This article looks at the uses and possible side e�ects of benfotiamine, how
to take it, and what to look for when buying it.
What Is Benfotiamine Used For?

Thiamine de�ciency is rare in the United States. [1] Still, you may be at risk if
your diet is:
High in re�ned carbohydrates (like white rice)

High in unforti�ed white �our products
Low in whole grains
Medical conditions that may put you at risk include:
Chronic diarrhea
Crohn's disease
Alcohol dependency
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid disease)
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Regular strenuous exercise also raises your risk.
Low thiamine can lead to nerve, heart, and brain conditions. Benfotiamine
can boost thiamin levels and help prevent them.
Some research suggests benfotiamine may block the harmful e�ects of

glycotoxins. [2] Those are found in high-fat meats.
Glycotoxins trigger in�ammation. They may also speed up some aging-

related degenerative diseases.
This supplement is also touted as a treatment for:
Anxiety
Back pain
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Non-diabetic neuropathy
Sciatica
10 of 22 6/03/2022, 3:05 am
Thyroid disease
Little research exists to support these uses.
More research supports its use for diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's
disease.
Recap
Benfotiamine is synthetic thiamine. It can treat thiamine de�ciency.
That may prevent serious complications. It may also treat some
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diseases, including diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's. But not

enough research has been done to say for sure.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetes involves high blood sugar levels. That can damage blood vessels
and cause diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms of neuropathy include: [3]
Pain or lost feeling in the feet

Burning or shooting pains in the lower legs
Balance and coordination problems
In one study, people with type-2 diabetes took 1,050 milligrams (mg) of
benfotiamine a day. Then they ate meals high in glycotoxins. Benfotiamine
appeared to protect against the glycotoxins' e�ects. [2]
Another study tested two doses of benfotiamine (300 and 600 mg a day).
Researchers noted a small improvement in neuropathy symptoms. The
higher dose was more e�ective. [4]
But not all research has been positive.
A short study found it didn't signi�cantly lower the impact of high blood
sugars. [5]
A two-year study on type-1 diabetes found no signi�cant e�ects on nerve
12 of 22 6/03/2022, 3:05 am
function or in�ammation. [6]
More research is needed before any �rm conclusions can be drawn.
Related: Natural Remedies for Type-2 Diabetes
Recap
Research is mixed on whether benfotiamine can protect you from or
treat symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease. Symptoms
include: [7]
Progressive memory loss

Poor judgment
Misplacing things
Getting lost
Mood and personality changes
AD symptoms are believed to involve abnormal clumps of proteins in the

brain. They're called amyloid plaques. AD is also tied to poor blood-sugar
metabolism.
Those features may be linked to processes in your body that rely on

thiamine. But thiamine supplements have been found ine�ective.
Benfotiamine drew attention because it's easier for your body to use. In an
animal study, it appeared to lower numbers of amyloid plaques and improve
brain function. [8]
In a small 2016 study, people with AD took 300 mg of benfotiamine a day

for 18 months. They all had some cognitive improvement. [9]
These results suggest benfotiamine may be a helpful AD treatment. More

research is needed, though.
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Recap
Early research suggests benfotiamine may help reduce Alzheimer's
symptoms tied to plaques and blood-sugar metabolism.
Possible Side Effects

Little is known about the long-term safety of benfotiamine. It may cause
side e�ects such as:
Upset stomach
Nausea
Dizziness
Hair loss
Weight gain
Body odor
Decrease in blood pressure
A 2017 review reported no side e�ects when benfotiamine was given to

people with various conditions. Doses ranged from 300 mg to 900 mg per
day. [10]
In one study, several people reported nausea and indigestion when they
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reached about 7,000 mg a day.
While your body converts benfotiamine into thiamine, the e�ects may not
be the same. [11]
The safety of supplements hasn't been established in:
Pregnant women
Nursing mothers
Children
Those with medical conditions
Those taking medications
Benfotiamine contains sulfur. Don't take it if you have a sulfur

sensitivity.
Almonds, lentils, and pasta
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Dosage and Preparation
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No safe and e�ective dosages have been established for benfotiamine as a

treatment for any condition.
Some neuropathy and AD studies have used dosages between 300 mg and
600 mg. Others have been as high as 1,050 daily mg without signi�cant
problems.
If you want to try benfotiamine supplements, talk to your healthcare

provider. They can guide you on whether it's safe for you and at what
dosage.
While few side e�ects have been reported, extremely high doses aren't
advised. Not enough research has been done. It's typically safest to start
with a low dose and work up.
What to Look For

Benfotiamine supplements are widely available online and in stores
specializing in supplements.
When choosing one, review the Supplement Facts label on the label. It'll tell
you about any �llers, binders, or �avorings. It also says how much of the
active ingredient it contains.
Look for a seal of approval from a third-party quality-testing organization.

A major one is ConsumerLab.
This ensures the product contains the listed ingredients and no harmful
contaminants. A seal of approval doesn't guarantee the product's safety or
e�ectiveness.
Related: Low Thiamine and Beriberi
Recap
Side e�ects are possible, especially at high doses. Studies have often
used between 300 mg and 600 mg. Look for products that are third-
party certi�ed. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking
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benfotiamine.
Summary
Benfotiamine can treat thiamine de�ciency. It may help with diabetic
neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease. More research is needed, though.
Side e�ects are possible. But they've been rare in studies. O�cial dosages
aren't established. Check with your healthcare provider before taking
benfotiamine.
Related: Why Vitamin B Complex Is Important to Your Health
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much benfotiamine should I take for

diabetes?
What are the benefits of benfotiamine?
Related: B Vitamins May Improve COVID-19 Outcomes
Was this page helpful?
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Benfotiamine: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions https://www.verywellhealth.

SUPPLEMENTS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

What to Look For

Benfotiamine is a dietary supplement. It treats diabetic neuropathy

Benfotiamine is a lab-created version of thiamine (vitamin B1). Your body

What Is Benfotiamine Used For?

High in re�ned carbohydrates (like white rice)

Medical conditions that may put you at risk include:

Regular strenuous exercise also raises your risk.

Some research suggests benfotiamine may block the harmful e�ects of

Glycotoxins trigger in�ammation. They may also speed up some aging-

This supplement is also touted as a treatment for:

Little research exists to support these uses.

diseases, including diabetic neuropathy and Alzheimer's. But not

Pain or lost feeling in the feet

But not all research has been positive.

function or in�ammation. [6]

More research is needed before any �rm conclusions can be drawn.

Related: Natural Remedies for Type-2 Diabetes

Progressive memory loss

AD symptoms are believed to involve abnormal clumps of proteins in the

Those features may be linked to processes in your body that rely on

In a small 2016 study, people with AD took 300 mg of benfotiamine a day

These results suggest benfotiamine may be a helpful AD treatment. More

Possible Side Eﬀects

A 2017 review reported no side e�ects when benfotiamine was given to

reached about 7,000 mg a day.

The safety of supplements hasn't been established in:

Benfotiamine contains sulfur. Don't take it if you have a sulfur

Almonds, lentils, and pasta

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

Dosage and Preparation

No safe and e�ective dosages have been established for benfotiamine as a

If you want to try benfotiamine supplements, talk to your healthcare

What to Look For

Look for a seal of approval from a third-party quality-testing organization.

Related: Low Thiamine and Beriberi

Related: Why Vitamin B Complex Is Important to Your Health

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much benfotiamine should I take for

What are the beneﬁts of benfotiamine?

Related: B Vitamins May Improve COVID-19 Outcomes

Was this page helpful?

SUPPLEMENTS TYPE 2 DIABETES

TYPE 2 DIABETES SUPPLEMENTS

Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND

TYPE 2 DIABETES SUPPLEMENTS

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Prevention & Treatment Editorial Process Anti-Racism Pledge

Health Care Privacy Policy In the News

News Cookie Policy Advertise

Terms of Use Careers

California Privacy Contact

TYPE 2 DIABETES SUPPLEMENTS

Lower Blood Sugar? Beneﬁts of CBD Oil?

Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash publishing family.

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