Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B1 (thiamine disulfide)
For the health condition: Peripheral Neuropathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine (often administered as thiamine disulfide or benfotiamine), has some scientific support for use in the management of peripheral neuropathy, particularly in the context of diabetic neuropathy and in individuals with thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is an essential nutrient involved in carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function. Deficiency can lead to neurological disorders, including peripheral neuropathy (as seen in beriberi).

Several clinical studies, especially in Europe and Asia, have investigated the benefit of thiamine and its derivatives (such as benfotiamine, a more bioavailable form) in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that benfotiamine supplementation can improve neuropathic symptoms and nerve conduction parameters, likely due to its role in reducing advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress in nerves. For example, a 2008 randomized trial published in Diabetes Care showed improvement in neuropathic symptoms with benfotiamine.

However, the quality of evidence is moderate; not all studies show consistent benefit, and sample sizes tend to be small. In cases of thiamine deficiency (e.g., due to alcoholism or malnutrition), supplementation is clearly indicated and effective for neuropathy. The use of thiamine in other causes of neuropathy is less well established and not universally recommended in guidelines.

In summary, there is scientific evidence—though not uniformly strong or comprehensive—supporting thiamine’s use in peripheral neuropathy related to deficiency and diabetes.

More about Vitamin B1 (thiamine disulfide)
More about Peripheral Neuropathy

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B1 (thiamine disulfide)

Alcoholism
Peripheral Neuropathy

Products containing Vitamin B1 (thiamine disulfide)

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