Benfotiamine: opinions?

#1

Has anyone looked at benfotiamine (also spelled benfothiamine)?

BFT is a synthetic thiamine (vitamin B1) precursor. It is claimed to be more effective in raising blood thiamine concentrations than direct thiamine supplementation.

A 2021 RCT in AD found “less cognitive decline, and this effect was nearly statistically significant”: Benfotiamine and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase IIa Clinical Trial 2021

See also this Chinese preprint: Thiamine pyrophosphokinase-1 deficiency in neurons drives Alzheimer’s multiple pathophysiological alterations 2024

Association studies found a linear relationship between B1 levels and cognition:

There are ongoing trials for many conditions (Huntington’s disease, heart failure, long Covid…). There’s also a phase 2 trial for Alzheimer’s, ending in 2027: NCT06223360.

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#2

Quite a few years ago I found benfotiamine interesting, this due to its potential to combat advanced glycation end products (AGEs). But it did not make it into my regimen at the time.

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#3

from the first paper above:

Benfotiamine’s activation of the enzyme transketolase [15] accelerates the shunting of the precursors of AGE toward the pentose phosphate pathway thereby reducing the production of AGE [16, 17]. The reduction in AGE decreases metabolic stress, which reduces vascular complications [18–21]. By being more effective in raising blood thiamine concentrations than direct thiamine administration, benfotiamine may overcome the reduction in activity of ThDP dependent enzymes in AD [18, 19].

I’m glad to I have been using it for a couple of years as part of the AGES regimen. See BAAM Presentations - GLYLO, and Meclizine mTORC1 Inhibitor - #20 by EnrQay for my cost analysis of DYI vs. Juvify AGES product.

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#4

A chinese study actually showed an improvement in cognition of mild to moderate AD patients after 18 months of just 300 mg Benfothiamin daily, bit it had only five patients and no placebo. So unfortunately this seemingly miraculous result

should receive little attention compared to the RCT linked by adssx, which indicates a strong reduction in cognitive decline, in itself very impressive.

I have bought a year’s supply for a friend with emerging Alzheimer, planned for 3x150 mg daily, together with Gemfibrozil 600 - 900 mg.

I can’t find any study on Benfothiamin for healthy users, but the effect on AGEs may indeed motivate such use. EnrQay, may I ask what dose you have chosen?