Benfotiamine is a synthetic, fat-soluble precursor of Vitamin B1 with high bioavailability. Taken orally, benfotiamine produces supra-physiological blood levels of the active coenzyme form of thiamine.
1. Chemical Nature
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
- Water-soluble vitamin.
- Naturally found in foods like whole grains, pork, and legumes.
- Exists as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate in supplements.
- Synthetic derivative of thiamine.
- Fat-soluble (lipophilic) form of vitamin B1.
- Designed to improve absorption and tissue penetration.
2. Absorption & Bioavailability
Vitamin B1:
- Water-soluble → easily absorbed in the small intestine.
- Absorption is limited; high doses may not significantly increase blood or tissue levels.
- Rapidly excreted in urine.
- Fat-soluble → better absorbed through the gut.
- More effectively raises blood and tissue thiamine levels, including in nerve and kidney cells.
- Slower excretion → longer-lasting effects.
3. Therapeutic Use
Vitamin B1:
- Prevents or treats classic thiamine deficiency (e.g., beriberi, Wernicke’s encephalopathy).
- Standard supplementation and dietary purposes.
- Used in higher-dose therapeutic applications, especially where tissue penetration is needed.
- Commonly used for:
1)Diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain, numbness)
2)Prevention of complications of diabetes (kidney and vascular protection)
3)Emerging use in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.
4. Dosage
- Vitamin B1: Usually 1–2 mg/day for general supplementation.
- Benfotiamine: Therapeutic doses range from 150–600 mg/day in divided doses.
5. Key Advantage of Benfotiamine
Higher bioavailability and better tissue penetration make it more effective for certain conditions, particularly nerve damage and diabetes-related complications, than standard thiamine supplements.
In short:
Benfotiamine is essentially a “super-absorbable” form of vitamin B1, designed for higher therapeutic impact, especially for nerve and metabolic health, while regular B1 mainly prevents deficiency.