As reported by DRWF UK, newly published research by the University of Bristol has shown that a dietary supplement of the synthetic derivative of vitamin B1 may have the potential to prevent heart disease caused by diabetes.
The research, published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology and funded by Diabetes UK, involved giving mice with and without diabetes a synthetic derivative of vitamin B1 called benfotiamine.
The scientists found that treating mice with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes with benfotiamine at an early stage can delay the possible progression to heart failure. They also found that the vitamin B1 derivative improved survival and healing after heart attacks in Type 1 mice, even in the mice without diabetes.
Professor Paolo Madeddu who led the research said, ‘We conclude that benfotiamine could be a novel treatment for people with diabetes, and the next step in this research will be testing whether similar effects are seen in humans.’
Scientists believe that vitamin B1 may help the body to dispose of toxins and therefore protect cells of the heart from becoming damaged. Diabetes leaves the heart more vulnerable to stress as less oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the heart and other organs.
