Superior bioavailability
5-10 times better absorbed than regular thiamine
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)
Fat-soluble synthetic derivative of thiamine with superior bioavailability and tissue penetration
Scientific nameS-Benzoylthiamine O-Monophosphate
FormulaC19H23N4O6PS
Molecular weight466.45 g/mol
CAS22457-89-2
95
absorption score
8
safety / 10
45
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
99
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimEnhanced nerve protection
Superior for diabetic neuropathy and nerve damage
Better brain penetration
Crosses blood-brain barrier more effectively
Anti-inflammatory effects
Reduces inflammatory markers better than thiamine
Lower dose requirements
Achieves therapeutic effects at much lower doses
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Energy & nerve support
250-1000 mcg
A
70%
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Heart & brain health
1-2g EPA/DHA
A
85%
L-Theanine
Calm focus & stress relief
100-400mg
B
90%
Vitamin B8 (Inositol)
Mental health & PCOS support
2-18g (condition dependent)
B
95%
SAM-e
Mood support & liver health
400-800mg
A
70%
Lithium Orotate
Mood & brain support
1-20mg
C
60%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
High ALA doses may reduce thiamine absorption
Needs attention
78
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Vitamin D3
Prevents arterial calcification from vitamin D
Works better together
78
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Lactase
Improved calcium absorption when consuming dairy
Works better together
82
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Bovine Collagen
Essential for collagen synthesis and cross-linking
Works better together
82
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + DHA
Prevents oxidation of DHA and enhances stability
Works better together
82
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Protects fish oil from oxidation
Works better together
90
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Magnesium Oxide
Required for thiamine-dependent enzyme function
Works better together
94
Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) + Calcium Carbonate
Essential for calcium absorption and utilization
Works better together
94
Dosage
Daily100-300 mg
Maintenance50-150 mg
Therapeutic150-600 mg
Neuropathy treatment300-600 mg
Equivalency150mg benfotiamine ≈ 1500mg thiamine effect
Before you take it
VeganYes
When to expect it
First Effects1-2 weeks for neurological improvements
Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for nerve and cognitive benefits
Deficiency Development2-4 weeks with no thiamine intake
Toxicity OnsetNo known oral toxicity
How to measure it
MarkerErythrocyte transketolase activity (ETKA)
OptimalActivity coefficient <1.15
FrequencyMonitor if using for therapeutic protocols
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 4 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
4 reports
of 24 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
88%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event4
Visited Emergency Room1
Death1
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Very high 95 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
190 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.79 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Magnesium
Required for thiamine-dependent enzyme function
Cofactor for thiamine pyrophosphate enzymes · level A
+
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Synergistic for diabetic neuropathy
Complementary antioxidant and metabolic effects · level B
+
Other B Vitamins
Work together in energy metabolism
Complementary roles in metabolic pathways · level AWhat not to take with Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)
!
Alcohol
Still depletes thiamine stores despite better absorption
Interferes with thiamine utilization · moderate significance
!
Raw Fish Shellfish
Thiaminase may still affect benfotiamine
Possible enzymatic interference · mild significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningStill increases thiamine excretion
What to do: Benfotiamine may overcome increased losses
May enhance glucose control
What to do: Monitor blood glucose for improvements
Available forms
Benfotiamine: Superior absorption, Better tissue penetration, Proven for neuropathy, Lower doses needed
Food sources
Benfotiamine is synthetic, not found in foods
Only available as supplement · 95
Too little
- Same as thiamine deficiency but may be prevented at lower doses:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Mental confusion and memory problems
- Muscle weakness and pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cardiovascular problems
Too much
- No known oral toxicity
- Rare allergic reactions
- Mild digestive upset at very high doses
- No upper limit established
- Much safer than high-dose thiamine
Who benefits most
diabetic-neuropathy
Superior effectiveness for nerve damage prevention/treatment
150-300 mg daily
neurological-conditions
Better brain and nerve tissue penetration
100-300 mg daily
heavy-drinkers-advanced
Superior for alcohol-related neurological damage
150-600 mg daily
malabsorption-severe
Bypasses normal absorption limitations
100-300 mg daily
optimization-seekers
Want maximum thiamine efficacy regardless of cost
50-150 mg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) at 100-300 mg per serving. The form that matters here is Benfotiamine.
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
Alcohol
Still depletes thiamine stores despite better absorption
Interferes with thiamine utilizationHow it works
- Converted to thiamine after absorption
- Fat-soluble form bypasses thiamine transporters
- Superior tissue distribution, especially CNS
- Enhanced cellular uptake and retention
- Better protection against advanced glycation
- More effective transketolase enzyme activation
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Superior bioavailability vs thiamine (multiple studies)
- Effective for diabetic neuropathy (clinical trials)
- Better tissue penetration, especially brain (pharmacokinetic studies)
- Reduces advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)?
Documented effects: Superior bioavailability; Enhanced nerve protection; Better brain penetration; Anti-inflammatory effects. 5-10 times better absorbed than regular thiamine
How much Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) should you take per day?
The common daily range is 100-300 mg. By goal — maintenance: 50-150 mg; therapeutic: 150-600 mg; neuropathy treatment: 300-600 mg; equivalency: 150mg benfotiamine ≈ 1500mg thiamine effect.
When is the best time to take Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)?
With food. First effects are typically reported within 1-2 weeks for neurological improvements.
What are the side effects of Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)?
At excessive doses: No known oral toxicity, Rare allergic reactions, Mild digestive upset at very high doses, No upper limit established, Much safer than high-dose thiamine. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.
What should you not take with Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)?
Separate it from Alcohol, Raw Fish Shellfish by two to four hours. Still depletes thiamine stores despite better absorption
Does Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine) interact with medications?
Documented interactions with furosemide-loop-diuretics, diabetes-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)?
The marker is Erythrocyte transketolase activity (ETKA), optimal range Activity coefficient <1.15. Common deficiency signs: Same as thiamine deficiency but may be prevented at lower doses:, Fatigue and weakness, Mental confusion and memory problems, Muscle weakness and pain.