Disclaimer
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Ingredient information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Benfotiamine is synthetic thioester form of thiamin (vitamin B1) developed in Japan in the 1950’s. It has been shown to be five times more absorbable than regular thiamin and has better penetration through cellular membranes. The benefit of benfotiamine centers around its ability to block a harmful process in the body called protein glycation, which creates Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), a role that is not shared by thiamin.
AGEs are formed when cells are exposed to consistently elevated levels of blood sugar. They can lead to significant tissue and DNA damage, speed up the aging process, and ultimately lead to diabetic-related nerve damage in the hands and feet and damage to blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys. Benfotiamine has the unique ability to block the formation of AGEs and supplementation can help reduce nerve pain and improve nerve function.
Technical insights:
- Country of origin: China
- Benfotiamine contains a negatively charged phosphate group, making it practically insoluble in organic solvents and exists only as the Z isomer
- Stored form: White crystalline powder
