One of the most debilitating conditions arising from high blood sugar and diabetes complications is diabetic neuropathy, but studies have shown that some may find relief from the pain with benfotiamine. Diabetes sufferers may benefit greatly from this fat-soluble synthesized form of thiamine (vitamin B-1) that originated in Japan in the 1950s, designed to help those with alcoholic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy, brought on by nerve damage, causes pain and numbness, and affects nerves that control muscle movement. Approximately 50% of diabetics experience some form of neuropathy. Thiamine is water-soluble, so it’s difficult for the body to process it in its pure form, but the fat-soluble preparation is easily absorbed and used. Benfotiamine prevents glucose build-up in cells, which, when left untreated, forms advanced glycation end products (AGE). Over time this AGE accumulates and contributes to complications in the kidneys, eyes, and extremities. In other major blood vessels it causes plaque build-up, possibly leading to heart disease. This may be prevented with the use of benfotiamine. Diabetes research, in animal and clinical trials [http://www.benfotiamine.org/articles.htm], confirms that benfotiamine can relieve neuropathic pain (and also prevent retinal damage and kidney disease), without dangerous side effects. Benfotiamine is considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be a dietary supplement.
Benfotiamine Studies and Findings
For decades, Benfotiamine has been available in Europe as a prescription drug, used to protect the kidneys from oxidative stress, to support muscle cell function in the heart, and many have successfully treated their diabetic neuropathy pain with benfotiamine. Diabetes researchers in recent years have conducted studies that confirm its benefits, and many of their findings are available online [http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=benfotiamine+and+diabetes&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&oi=scholart]. One such study (on rats with diabetes and without) was conducted in 2003, led by Dr. Michael Brownlee of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. Their study showed that benfotiamine was able to block three biochemical pathways in the body that cause cellular damage when blood glucose levels get out of control. These pathways were shown to be normalized, preventing retinal damage.
Benfotiamine as Part of a Holistic Treatment for Diabetes
There are various types of less invasive forms of therapy that are prescribed for diabetic neuropathy, including massage and physical therapy, acupuncture, vitamin supplements, topical cream, and benfotiamine. Diabetes patients who wish to prevent or cure symptoms such as neuropathy should be looking at a holistic system of treatment for balancing the body and keeping it healthy. This includes regular exercise and eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, and omega-3 and olive oils. They should be avoiding unhealthy processed foods, sugary sweets, and saturated and trans fats. With smart lifestyle choices and supplementation when needed (such as benfotiamine), diabetes symptoms like neuropathy can be a thing of the past.
