Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Benfotiamine is vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the most bioavailable form possible, a fat-soluble version which can be taken orally in large, therapeutic dosages because it will not quickly flush out of the body the way ordinary vitamin B1 does. I bought this particular brand because, frankly, it was the only brand currently offered on Amazon that came in 300 mg capsules, and I wanted to get it right away through Prime. I had suffered trauma to my mandibular nerve in a dental procedure, and research has indicated that benfotiamine is excellent for neuropathy. Yes, that research has been centered particularly on peripheral neuropathy due to the disease process of diabetes but, in my opinion, if it could work for disease-damaged nerves, it would very likely help an injured nerve as well. The recommended dosage for neuropahy is 300 mg, two times per day. Important Note: Take this and all other B vitamins with food to avoid stomach upset. The way that benfotiamine works to heal damaged nerves is through supporting the body's production of adenosine triphosphate. ATP is an energy-bearing molecule that is found in all living cells and is produced by the cells' mitochondria. Many different crucial, energy-consuming metabolic processes at the cellular level are made possible by ATP. In particular, ATP supports the effective transmission of the impulses of all three types of nerves in the body: (1) Sensory nerves produce the immediate sensation of touch/position or the delayed sensation of pain/temperature. (2) Motor nerves carry signals from the brain via the spinal cord to produce movement in muscles. (3) Mixed nerves can produce both sensation and movement. Additional helpful nutraceuticals to raise ATP are: MethylCobalamin (methyl B12): This is the most bioavailable form of B12, which can be immediately utilized by the body. When regular B12 is consumed, the body has to convert it into the methyl B12 in the gut. Ideally, it is taken sublingually, so it can go immediately into the bloodstream. The recommended dosage is 1000 mcg/day up to as much as 9000 mcg. I bought the Source Naturals brand which I have used for years. B Complex: It is also a good idea to take a B-Complex supplement, because the B vitamins work in concert with each other. I bought the Source Naturals brand which I have used for years. Ribose AKA d-Ribose. The body naturally creates ribose from glucose, which is used to create ATP within the cells. Unfortunately, when cells and tissues, especially muscle tissue, are adversely affected by stress, injury or disease, they do not make sufficient ribose to produce enough ATP to create effective energy levels in the body. This can result in chronic pain and fatigue. The recommended dose for supplementing ribose is no more than 5 gm (1 heaping teaspoon) three times per day, and you can take it with or without food. I put it in my morning protein-powder drink. I purchased the BulkSupplements Pure D-Ribose Powder, which I am quite pleased with. CoQ10 as Ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the most bioavailable form of CoQ10. In addition to raising levels of ATP, it is a powerful antioxidant. The recommended dosage for neuropathy is 30-200 mg/day, consumed with or without food. I take 50 mg. I used Source Naturals Ubiquinol 50 mgs, which I had already been taking for years for its heart-protective qualities. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). Like CoQ10, in addition to raising levels of ATP, ALA is a powerful antioxidant. The recommended dosage for neuropathy is 600-1200 mg/day, consumed with or without food. I had already been taking this supplement for many years for its antioxidant qualities. I increased my dose to 500 mg. I have used the Doctor's Best brand most recently, but I have used Source Naturals and Jarrow in the past. Evening primrose oil. Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of a wildflower that grows throughout the United States. It contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is an omega-6 essential fatty acid that is also found in the seeds of borage and black currant. In addition to raising ATP levels, it is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is frequently prescribed by naturopaths for neuropathy. The recommended dosage is 500-1500 mg/day. In addition to taking it internally, I use it topically as a carrier oil to mix with essential oils which are helpful both for the pain of neuropathy and for healing damaged nerves. I put 1/4 tsp of this oil in my palm along with 1 drop of organic, clove bud essential oil and 1 drop of organic frankincense essential oil, mix them with a fingertip and apply the mixture directly to the gums surrounding the affected nerve in my mouth. I don't swallow it, but once saliva builds up in my mouth, I swish it and the mixture around in my mouth, spit out the excess, and leave what remains on my gum. (By the way, evening primrose oil is also a great, natural, skin moisturizer for the face and neck.) I purchased the organic Dr. Adorable brand, which can be taken internally or used externally. Note that, for this brand, 1/4 teaspoon is 600 mg. Creatine. Creatine is an important compound in muscle tissue and a building block for ATP. It is an amino acid, and it should be taken on an empty stomach, definitely not with protein. Take it an hour before a meal or 2 hours afterwards. The recommended dosage is 2-5 gm/daily. I purchased this bulk powder by BulkSupplements. At that high a dose, capsules would be exorbitantly expensive. I personally had a strong reaction to creatine, getting a bit dizzy and slightly queasy. I do not blame it on the brand of creatine but rather to my response in general to amino-acid therapy. I had previously had a similar, strong negative reaction to the amino acid, GABA. Since creatine is an extremely popular supplement with weight builders, I think my reaction is rare. By the way, raising ATP levels also acts to prevent and heal cardiovascular disease. Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra recommends the following ATP-raising "awesome foursome": CoQ10 (as Ubiquinol), l-carnitine, d-ribose, and magnesium. An additional treatment I have used for my dental neuropathy is the homeopathic remedy specifically for nerve pain, Hypericum. Note that when taking homeopathic medication, the compounds are volatile, so you should not touch these pills with your hands. Instead, you shake 2-3 tablets into the cap and drop them under your tongue. Do not consume food, drink, or strong tasting/smelling substances like essential oils at the same time you do homeopathics. For example, if you have used the essential oils I suggested above within the previous hour, I recommend brushing your teeth well with baking soda, which kills odors, swishing the baking soda around in your mouth, and finishing up by rinsing your mouth extremely well before using the hypericum. Do not put anything else, including water, into your mouth for 20 minutes after putting the hypericum tablets under your tongue, and nothing strong-scented (like essential oils or garlic, or spicy food) for as long as possible afterwards. So how has this protocol worked for me? I can't individually evaluate any of the above recommended remedies other than hypericum, which I have used for decades (it was miraculous for relieving the agony of a corneal scratch on two different occasions, once from a paper cut, and the second time from a scratch by a tiny baby's razor sharp fingernail). However, I have been taking all of the above, other than the creatine (for the reasons stated above), and my dental surgeon has been astounded at the rapid pace of my nerve's recovery. Usually it takes about 3 months to a year for a damaged mandibular nerve to recover (if it is going to at all), and in less than 2 weeks I've seen drastic improvement.