Mega Benfotiamine 250 by LifeExtension

Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of thiamine (vitamin B1) with high bioavailability that was developed in Japan in the 1960's. It is especially useful for people needing high levels of thiamine or with impaired absorption of this essential B-vitamin. Oral benfotiamine passively diffuses through the intestinal mucosa and is rapidly converted to active thiamine. Its absorption is much more efficient than water-soluble thiamine which requires active transport. Benfotiamine intake attains higher plasma and tissue thiamine levels and maintains these levels longer than common forms of thiamine. Bioavailability of benfotiamine is up to 3.6 times greater than water-soluble thiamine salts and is associated with a 120-fold greater increase in the levels of metabolically active thiamine diphosphate. It does not accumulate in the body. Benfotiamine increases blood levels of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the primary thiamin co-enzyme and is also used to help maintain healthy cells in the presence of blood glucose, Befotiamine prevents glycation by inhibiting several metabolic pathways that result in glucose-induced damage to cells and tissues through the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). Damage to cells and tissues from Glycation have been found in individuals diagnosed with autism, diabetes, and dementia. An accumulation AGES has been reported in the brains of individuals within the autism spectrum. Benfotiamine can also provide support for neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy associated with diabetes 2 and neuropathy associated with chemotherapy, sciatica, fibromyalgia and shingles. Phenolic compounds in foods can also deplete levels of B1 and individuals with impaired ability to metabolize phenols may benefit from Benfotiamine.