Diabetic neuropathy is a potentially debilitating condition caused by high levels of blood sugar. It can cause nerve damage in the feet, legs, hands, and other areas of the body. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications. One such treatment is benfotiamine, a form of vitamin B1 with benefits for those suffering from diabetic neuropathy. Let’s take a closer look at what benfotiamine is, how it works, and how it can help treat diabetic neuropathy.
What is Benfotiamine?
Benfotiamine is an advanced form of thiamine (vitamin B1). Unlike standard thiamin supplements which have limited bioavailability (meaning they are not easily absorbed by the body), benfotiamine has been specially modified to increase its bioavailability. This means that when taken orally, it can be more easily absorbed and utilized by the body than unmodified thiamine supplements.
How Does Benfotiamine Work?
Benfotiamine works by increasing levels of thiamin (vitamin B1) in cells. By doing so, it helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by diabetes-induced high blood sugar levels. Benfotiamine helps to protect cells from damage caused by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which are compounds formed when glucose binds to proteins or fats.
AGEs are linked to nerve damage caused by diabetes and have been found to be higher in individuals with diabetes than those without the disease. By reducing AGE production through increased vitamin B1 levels, benfotiamine helps protect against nerve damage caused by diabetes as well as other complications such as vision loss and kidney failure.
How Does Benfotiamine Help Treat Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when the high glucose levels in the blood cause damage to the nerves. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and other neurological symptoms. Benfotiamine works by blocking pathways responsible for this nerve damage and reducing inflammation associated with it.
Moreover, benfotiamine increases levels of thiamin in cells which helps them resist damage from high glucose levels.
Other Benefits of Benfotiamine
This particular form of thiamine offers potential benefits in addition to the traditional treatments for diabetic neuropathy. In fact, benfotiamine has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. Research suggests that it may help to slow down the progression of damage caused by advanced glycation end products in patients with diabetes.
Furthermore, studies suggest that when combined with thioctic acid, benfotiamine benefits to improve long term complications associated with diabetes like retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. More research is necessary to prove whether benfotiamine holds these potential benefits but it may be worth exploring as an adjunct treatment for diabetes induced symptoms.
What are Some Potential Side Effects Associated With Benfotiamine?
Benfotiamine is generally well tolerated but some people may experience mild side effects such as nausea or diarrhea when taking large doses of it over long periods of time. Also, people who are allergic to thiamin should not take benfotiamine as it could cause an allergic reaction. It’s also important to note that benfotiamine should not be taken in combination with other medications used to treat diabetic neuropathy as this could result in serious side effects or interactions between medications.
What Else Should You Know About Benfotiamine?
It’s important to note that while taking benfotiamine may provide relief from the symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy, it should not be used as a substitute for other treatments such as controlling your glucose levels or exercising regularly.
Also, you should always consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen to make sure it’s safe for you to take. Finally, keep in mind that while there are many potential benefits associated with taking benfotiamine for treating diabetic neuropathy, more research needs to be done before its effects can be definitively established.
Last Say
In conclusion, benfotiamine is an effective treatment option for diabetic neuropathy due to its ability to block pathways responsible for nerve damage and reduce inflammation associated with high glucose levels in the blood. However, it should be noted that potential side effects may occur when taking large doses over long periods of time so users should consult their doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.
Users should avoid combining benfotiamine with other medications used for treating diabetic neuropathy as this could result in serious interactions between drugs. All things considered though, benfotiamine provides an effective way of helping manage symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy so users may want to consider adding it into their overall healthcare plan if they suffer from this condition.
