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Benfotiamine & Diabetes

Question:
What is benfotiamine and can it really improve or prevent complications from diabetes?
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Initial Posting: 8/20/2014    Last Update: 8/8/2017

Answer:
Benfotiamine is a derivative of thiamin (vitamin B-1) which may be more effective at raising thiamine levels in the body. There is preliminary evidence that benfotiamine may be helpful to people with diabetes. For more details, see the information about benfotiamine in the B Vitamins Supplements Review >>

See other recent and popular questions >>
COMMENTS
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Mollie17631   March 15, 2019
YES…it isn't BenfoTAmean. I have known Dr. Brownlee for 25 years and he referred to is as Ben-fo-tee-a-mean…Hope this helps.


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George M15446   August 23, 2017
My mother is in her upper 80s and has Type-2 diabetes. For a year or two, she was getting neuropathy in her feet that caused so much pain, she could hardly walk without assistance. Her doctor had her try benfotiamine, and after a few days or so, she found substantial improvement, and there were no unwanted side effects. She is thrilled to be able to walk without any more pain. The doctor started her on 150 mg twice a day for the first month, and now she is on 100 mg twice a day, still with good effects.
Comment on Post
HERMAN111   August 22, 2014
A study team led by Dr. Michael Brownlee at Albert Einstein Medical College won the
Bantung prize in 2005. The study was funded by Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Dr. Brownlee described it as a pilot study. It was, however, elegantly designed with a
scholarly foundation in earlier studies with animals. This study was coducted with Type I
diabetes humans. The purpose was to test interventions to normalize the 4 identified
biochemical pathways involved in the complications of Diabetes.One pathway was
completely normalized others were markedly more normalized. There were zero
adverse reactions. The interventions involved only timed release Alpha Lipoic Acid
and Benfotiamine. Each of these substances have a long history of evidence for other
health benefits. Thiamine had been shown to protect epithelium lining in blood
vessels. However, as it is water soluble, it doesn't stay in the system long enough
to make a practical difference. Some years ago, scientists in Japan developed the
lipid form as benfotiamine which has practical vascular benefits.

With low cost and excellent safety profile, it's a no brainer for any Diabetes patient
to try on this treatment. However, an entire issue of a Diabetes consumer magazine
devoted to addressing complications reviewed a number of prescription meds, all of
which come with serious "side effects," with no mention of this JDRF study. The
study was also reported in the journal Diabetalogia.
Comment on Post
Louise107   August 20, 2014
I now drink only organic milk: Horizon organic w/DHA Omega 3 whole milk. It's expensive as I drink a lot of it. It says on the label that it has 35% of Ca and 30% of D. Am I getting enough or too much Ca and D3 as I supplement the milk with 400 Ca and 500 D3 in a CVS (recommended) Citric vitamin.
Comment on Post
Louise106   August 20, 2014
On words such as this "benfotiamine" it would be helpful to me if you would pronounce it, i.e., ben-fo- ... since I don't know how to pronounce it, I can't relate it to anyone I'm trying to help. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you a million fold for your epublication. There is so much information I can't get to it all in the time allotted me on this shared computer. Your site is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. I used to rely on the "Nutrition Almanac" but your site is so up-to-date and new and honest, I don't know what to say. Thank you.
Comment on Post
Tod108   August 20, 2014
Louise - It is pronounced "ben-fo-ta-mean" -- and thank you for your kind words about ConsumerLab.com.
Comment on Post
Barbara16157   November 5, 2017
Wouldn't it be Ben-fo-tee-a-mine?
Comment on Post
Mary16245   November 29, 2017
You've got it! Ben-fo-tee-uh-meen
Comment on Post
Susan 105   August 20, 2014
If you have joint problems (osteo-arthritis), you may experience a worsening of the pain before it gets better. It may be so bad, you'll stick with what works well for you now.
Comment on Post
sharon691   April 26, 2015
It helps neuropathy. It's helped me. Just goggle it, if you're interested.
Comment on Post

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This CL Answer initially posted on 8/20/2014. Last updated 8/8/2017.
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