Benfotiamine

What is Benfotiamine?

Benfotiamine is a fat soluble derivative of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), a critical nutrient for the metabolism of our brain’s major energy source—glucose. Benfotiamine is absorbed far more easily than Thiamine with around 5x the bioavailability and converts to Thiamine in the body. This enhanced absorption allows it to reach tissues more efficiently, where it can provide various impressive health benefits.

Health Benefits:

Neuroprotective Effects

Benfotiamine has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Thiamine deficiency has been associated with inflammatory conditions in the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and treatment with benfotiamine has been linked to reduced inflammation markers. This suggests that, through increasing thiamine levels in the body, benfotiamine may support neurological and nervous system health. Additionally, studies show that benfotiamine can powerfully protect cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be highly damaging to cells and has been linked to cognitive decline and the development of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. One study found that benfotiamine can improve cognitive outcomes in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, further indicating that benfotiamine supplements may provide protection from neurodegenerative diseases.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Thiamine levels have been significantly associated with improved cardiovascular health such as reduced hypertension, heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. This suggests that benfotiamine, which is converted to thaimine in the body, may help to support and protect cardiovascular health. Supporting this, studies using animal models show that benfotiamine and thiamine can help to protect the heart from damage linked to stress such as ischemic injury and myocardial infarction.

Benfotiamine's potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may in part explain its benefits for heart health. Research has evidenced the relationship between both oxidative stress in cells and blood vessels and high levels of inflammation with the development of cardiovascular diseases and deterioration of cardiovascular health.

History:

Benfotiamine was first synthesised in Japan in the mid twentieth century to improve on the poor absorption that limits the therapeutic benefits obtained traditional forms of thiamine.