Benfotiamine is a highly bioavailable, fat-soluble form of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. This makes benfotiamine a powerful tool for maintaining optimal vitamin B1 levels.
There are many impressive benfotiamine benefits, ranging from supporting nerve function to promoting cardiovascular wellness and potentially enhancing brain health and cognition.
Learn about common signs of vitamin B1 deficiency and find out how taking benfotiamine can help safeguard your health.
What is benfotiamine?
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1, an essential nutrient needed for optimal energy metabolism, nerve function, and cellular health.
Compared to water-soluble thiamine, benfotiamine is absorbed more efficiently, allowing the body to utilize it more effectively.
Due to its high bioavailability, benfotiamine can rapidly enter cells and tissues, where it can directly support cellular processes and improve overall health.
Watch the video below to learn why benfotiamine is a unique B vitamin.
What is benfotiamine used for?
Benfotiamine has been found to be an effective tool in maintaining optimal vitamin B1 stores.
The use of benfotiamine may be especially useful for individuals with increased nutrient needs and those who may have difficulty absorbing thiamine due to digestive challenges.
Here are common symptoms of thiamin deficiency:
- Tiredness
- Irregular sleep pattern
- Muscle discomfort
- Brain fog
- Unusual sensations in hands and feet
- Poor concentration
- Mood changes
- Feelings of breathlessness
- Decreased physical strength or endurance
- Challenges with balance or coordination
Benfotiamine has been shown to support healthy thiamine levels and may enhance the body’s ability to respond to advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
“AGEs form when sugars bind to proteins or fats in the bloodstream,” explains Dr. Berg. “This process tends to occur more frequently in the context of high carbohydrate intake and elevated blood sugar levels.”
Due to their chemical structure, AGEs may interfere with normal cell functions, contribute to cellular imbalance, and impact immune system responses.
Benfotiamine may help maintain cellular integrity by promoting a balanced and effective response to AGEs, supporting overall health and well-being.
Top benfotiamine benefits
Benfotiamine’s unique properties make it a valuable nutrient for supporting overall wellness by helping maintain healthy thiamine levels, contributing to enhanced vitality and general well-being.
Here are five impressive benefits of benfotiamine.
1. Potential neuroprotective effects
Vitamin B1 supports the production of myelin, a protective lipid layer surrounding nerve bundles that helps maintain healthy neuronal function.
By promoting optimal thiamine levels, benfotiamine helps support nervous system health and may enhance cellular protection from the effects of AGEs.
Research published in Heliyon suggests that benfotiamine may have neuroprotective properties, potentially supporting central nervous system integrity and cognitive functions.1
Furthermore, evidence published in BMJ Open suggests that benfotiamine has potential benefits for peripheral nerve function and can help improve nerve conduction and overall nerve health.2
2. Promotes cardiovascular health
The accumulation of AGEs may contribute to changes in endothelial function, which plays a role in maintaining healthy blood vessel function.
This can also impact nitric oxide production, a molecule essential for supporting healthy blood vessel relaxation, blood pressure control, and circulation.
Benfotiamine may help support vascular function by strengthening the body’s ability to combat AGE formation and enhancing nitric oxide availability. This may help promote efficient blood flow, which is crucial for maintaining circulatory and cardiovascular health.
3. Supports cognitive functions
Research exploring the potential relationship between benfotiamine and cognitive health has shown promising results.
Evidence published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggests that benfotiamine may have a role in supporting cognitive function, potentially benefiting memory, language, and other cognitive abilities.3
It’s suggested that benfotiamine may support cognitive health by influencing factors that contribute to nerve function and promoting healthy myelin sheath function, which is essential for optimal neuronal health.
4. Helps enhance cellular energy production
As a form of vitamin B1, benfotiamine plays a critical role in energy metabolism as it helps convert carbohydrates into energy.
Research published in Frontiers in Physiology found that benfotiamine helps improve mitochondrial function by supporting pathways that regulate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary energy currency.4
This may explain why many individuals who are taking benfotiamine report increased energy levels and enhanced physical performance.
5. Promotes balanced immune responses
Benfotiamine may promote balanced immune and inflammatory responses by influencing the arachidonic acid pathway.
This pathway involves the release of arachidonic acid, which, when metabolized, can be converted into compounds that modulate and regulate immune cell activity.
A study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine suggests that benfotiamine may play a role in modulating enzyme activity involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid, potentially supporting the regulation of immune and inflammatory pathways.5
Who should avoid benfotiamine
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals taking medications such as diuretics or chemotherapy drugs should consult their healthcare provider before including benfotiamine in their daily routine.
In addition, people with chronic liver or kidney conditions, as well as those with alcohol dependency, should discuss the use of benfotiamine with a doctor to avoid potential side effects.
If you’re planning to undergo surgery, it’s generally advisable to discontinue benfotiamine beforehand, as it may affect blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Key takeaways
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 that is more readily absorbed and utilized by the body than water-soluble thiamine.
There are various impressive benfotiamine benefits, including enhanced cardiovascular health, better cognitive function, and increased energy levels.
FAQ
1. What are the top benfotiamine benefits?
Benfotiamine may support a variety of health functions, including promoting nerve health, potentially supporting brain function, enhancing energy production, and contributing to overall well-being.
2. What does benfotiamine do?
Benfotiamine is a highly absorbable form of vitamin B1 that supports nerve function, helps regulate cellular energy production, and helps promote vascular health.
3. When is the best time to take benfotiamine?
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble vitamin, and it’s generally recommended to take it with a meal containing healthy fats to enhance its absorption.
4. Is benfotiamine synthetic?
Benfotiamine is a synthetic form of vitamin B1. Unlike natural thiamine, which is water-soluble, benfotiamine is fat-soluble, which significantly increases its absorption and effectiveness in the body.
Sources
- https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(23)09047-3 ↩︎
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8814806/ ↩︎
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7880246/ ↩︎
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01079/full ↩︎
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22067901/ ↩︎
