Benfotiamine = a synthetic lipid-soluble derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1).
Different from regular thiamine because it gets into cells more efficiently and more into the “transketolase pathway” → less harmful AGEs.
Main evidence-based application zones
| Application | Why it’s relevant | Human data strength |
| Support diabetic neuropathy (numbness / burning in feet) | Reduces biochemical glycation stress + supports nerve metabolism | Relatively good |
| Diabetic microvascular support (retina, kidney) | Same mechanism (transketolase ↑) reduces sorbitol pathway flux | Moderate |
| Prevention support for people with prediabetes / metabolic syndrome | Reduces postprandial glycation & oxidative stress | Moderate–emerging |
| High carbohydrate diet / high refined sugar lifestyle | Lowers AGEs formation from glucose/fructose load | Mechanistically strong, trial data modest |
| Possible cognitive support in diabetes related cognitive decline | Improves thiamine status in brain better than normal thiamine | Early data |
Typical dosages reported in trials
- Daily 300–600 mg split in 2 doses
- Sometimes clinicians go up to 900 mg/day for short therapeutic windows
Take with food (because it’s lipid soluble → absorption is better).
How long to try before evaluating effect
- Nerve symptom trials usually assessed at 4–12 weeks
Safety
Benfotiamine is generally well tolerated:
- Occasional mild GI upset
- No known serious chronic toxicity at studied doses
Contra / caution zones
- If you’re on metformin, benfotiamine is actually often considered beneficial (metformin lowers B1) → but still coordinate with doctor if you’re on multiple supplements
- If you’re on insulin or strong glucose-lowering drugs, benfotiamine itself does NOT lower blood sugar directly, but it may indirectly improve postprandial metabolic stress — still: discuss if you’re on complex regimen
A simple practical “use” protocol concept
- Decide what problem you are targeting (e.g. neuropathy vs prevention)
- Start 150–300 mg twice per day
- Check subjective change at 4–6 weeks
- If helpful but not optimal → titrate upward to 450–600 mg/day total
- Take breaks: many clinicians like 5 days on / 2 days off or 3 months on / 1 month off
Best stacking companions (mechanistic synergy)
- Alpha lipoic acid R-ALA (nerve + glycation)
- Benfotiamine + B-Complex (B6/B12 are also nerve relevant)
- Carnosine (another anti-AGE)
If you want, give me your goal in one sentence (ex: “I have tingling in toes at night”, or “I’m just trying to protect from sugar damage because my A1c is 5.7”) and I will architect a personalized minimal effective dose plan (and say whether benfotiamine is a primary or secondary priority for your case).