Difference between revisions of "Thiamine"

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(Thiamine is sometimes spelled thiamin.)
A 2011 paper [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22218733 states] that oral [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiamine thiamine] trials improved cognitive function in patients with AD. That paper, which is behind a paywall and hasn't been cited in subsequent papers, refers in its abstract to a prior study. It would be good to check the strength of the study it cites, given that subsequent papers do not appear to reinforce its view.
A 2011 paper [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22218733 states] that oral [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiamine thiamine] trials improved cognitive function in patients with AD. That paper, which is behind a paywall and hasn't been cited in subsequent papers, refers in its abstract to a prior study. It would be good to check the strength of the study it cites, given that subsequent papers do not appear to reinforce its view.


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-- A 2016 discussion, [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26971083 Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and dementia], describes the '''close connection between thiamine deficiency and hypometabolism of glucose in the brain''' [which ApoE4 individuals show at an early age] and concludes: 'Elucidating the reasons why the brains of AD patients are functionally thiamine deficient and determining the effects of thiamine restoration may provide critical information to help treat patients with AD.' [Emphasis added]
-- A 2016 discussion, [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26971083 Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and dementia], describes the '''close connection between thiamine deficiency and hypometabolism of glucose in the brain''' [which ApoE4 individuals show at an early age] and concludes: 'Elucidating the reasons why the brains of AD patients are functionally thiamine deficient and determining the effects of thiamine restoration may provide critical information to help treat patients with AD.' [Emphasis added]


However, while apparently studies showing that thiamine supplementation improves cognition in AD patients appears to be lacking, these preliminary mouse and cell culture studies describe benfotiamine's beneficial effects in their respective contexts:
However, while studies showing that thiamine supplementation improves cognition in AD patients appear to be lacking, the following preliminary mouse and cell culture studies describe benfotiamine's beneficial effects in their respective contexts:


-- [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20385653 Powerful beneficial effects of benfotiamine on cognitive impairment and beta-amyloid deposition in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 transgenic mice (2010)] states: ''''Thiamine treatment exerts little beneficial effect in [Alzheimer's] patients... In the ''animal'' Alzheimer's disease model, benfotiamine appears to improve the cognitive function and reduce amyloid deposition via thiamine-independent mechanisms'''... These results suggest that, unlike many other thiamine-related drugs, benfotiamine may be beneficial for clinical Alzheimer's disease treatment.' [Emphasis added]
-- [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20385653 Powerful beneficial effects of benfotiamine on cognitive impairment and beta-amyloid deposition in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 transgenic mice (2010)] states: ''''Thiamine treatment exerts little beneficial effect in [Alzheimer's] patients... In the ''animal'' Alzheimer's disease model, benfotiamine appears to improve the cognitive function and reduce amyloid deposition via thiamine-independent mechanisms'''... These results suggest that, unlike many other thiamine-related drugs, benfotiamine may be beneficial for clinical Alzheimer's disease treatment.' [Emphasis added]
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-- [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4559599/ Benfotiamine upregulates antioxidative system in activated BV-2 microglia cells (2015 in cell cultures)] concludes: 'Our results open the possibility for benfotiamine application in neurodegenerative conditions which show hyper-reactive microglia, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. '''Further research on animal model studies are warranted in order to evaluate benfotiamine capacity to mitigate the microglial component of pathology of neurological diseases'''.'
-- [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4559599/ Benfotiamine upregulates antioxidative system in activated BV-2 microglia cells (2015 in cell cultures)] concludes: 'Our results open the possibility for benfotiamine application in neurodegenerative conditions which show hyper-reactive microglia, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. '''Further research on animal model studies are warranted in order to evaluate benfotiamine capacity to mitigate the microglial component of pathology of neurological diseases'''.'


It appears further studies ''in humans'' may be required to show conclusively that thiamine or benfotiamine supplementation on their own help prevent or reverse Alzheimer's-associated cognitive decline.
It appears further studies ''in humans'' may be required to show conclusively that thiamine or benfotiamine supplementation help prevent or reverse Alzheimer's-associated cognitive decline.


While ensuring optimal thiamine status using benfotiamine would seem to be a safe intervention to help address Alzheimer's-related pathologies, two cautionary notes are worth documenting when time allows:  
While ensuring optimal brain thiamine status, benfotiamine, especially in the context of a multi-faceted approach to Alzheimer's prevention, would seem to be a safe intervention to help address Alzheimer's-related pathologies, but two cautionary notes are worth documenting when time allows:  


1. Thiamine appears to have a complex relationship with cancer, sometimes facilitating tumor growth and other times reducing it. [Needs elucidation]
1. Thiamine appears to have a complex relationship with cancer, sometimes facilitating tumor growth and other times reducing it. [Needs elucidation]


2. Benfotiamine does not appear to have been studied at length for toxic affects. [Needs cite]
2. Benfotiamine does not appear to have been studied at length for toxic affects. [Needs cite]

Latest revision as of 13:50, 18 April 2018

(Thiamine is sometimes spelled thiamin.)

A 2011 paper states that oral thiamine trials improved cognitive function in patients with AD. That paper, which is behind a paywall and hasn't been cited in subsequent papers, refers in its abstract to a prior study. It would be good to check the strength of the study it cites, given that subsequent papers do not appear to reinforce its view.

A cursory review of additional literature suggests why the Bredesen Protocol specifically recommends using the benfotiamine, a thiamine precursor see patent application. It doesn't appear that thiamine itself has been shown to reduce cognitive impairment in humans:

-- A 2015 review, Role of dietary protein and thiamine intakes on cognitive function in healthy older people: a systematic review., concludes: 'A lack of experimental studies in this area prevents the translation of these dietary messages for optimal cognitive functioning and delaying the decline in cognition with advancing age.'

-- A 2016 discussion, Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and dementia, describes the close connection between thiamine deficiency and hypometabolism of glucose in the brain [which ApoE4 individuals show at an early age] and concludes: 'Elucidating the reasons why the brains of AD patients are functionally thiamine deficient and determining the effects of thiamine restoration may provide critical information to help treat patients with AD.' [Emphasis added]

However, while studies showing that thiamine supplementation improves cognition in AD patients appear to be lacking, the following preliminary mouse and cell culture studies describe benfotiamine's beneficial effects in their respective contexts:

-- Powerful beneficial effects of benfotiamine on cognitive impairment and beta-amyloid deposition in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 transgenic mice (2010) states: 'Thiamine treatment exerts little beneficial effect in [Alzheimer's] patients... In the animal Alzheimer's disease model, benfotiamine appears to improve the cognitive function and reduce amyloid deposition via thiamine-independent mechanisms... These results suggest that, unlike many other thiamine-related drugs, benfotiamine may be beneficial for clinical Alzheimer's disease treatment.' [Emphasis added]

-- Benfotiamine upregulates antioxidative system in activated BV-2 microglia cells (2015 in cell cultures) concludes: 'Our results open the possibility for benfotiamine application in neurodegenerative conditions which show hyper-reactive microglia, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. Further research on animal model studies are warranted in order to evaluate benfotiamine capacity to mitigate the microglial component of pathology of neurological diseases.'

It appears further studies in humans may be required to show conclusively that thiamine or benfotiamine supplementation help prevent or reverse Alzheimer's-associated cognitive decline.

While ensuring optimal brain thiamine status, benfotiamine, especially in the context of a multi-faceted approach to Alzheimer's prevention, would seem to be a safe intervention to help address Alzheimer's-related pathologies, but two cautionary notes are worth documenting when time allows:

1. Thiamine appears to have a complex relationship with cancer, sometimes facilitating tumor growth and other times reducing it. [Needs elucidation]

2. Benfotiamine does not appear to have been studied at length for toxic affects. [Needs cite]