What is Biotin? Your Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Its Role and Benefits
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Biotin is a core water-soluble B vitamin. It’s vital for our health. Known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, it plays key roles in systems like energy release, metabolism, and cell signaling. This blog on biotin will guide you through its many proposed benefits. Looking to learn about how it benefits your hair, skin, nails, or pregnancy? Are you curious about how it reacts in your metabolism? Do you wonder about what might cause biotin lack, and how to get biotin in your diet? This guide covers everything you need to know.
Did you know?
Biotin’s main job is turning food into fuel.
Biotin is a key part of enzymes that turn food into fuel. With its help, carbs, fats, and proteins become resources for the body.
Biotin also helps make glucose from non-carbs and build fatty acids. Plus, it aids in breaking down certain amino acids, like leucine. All these processes are vital for creating energy in the body.
Biotin may aid hair health, due to its role in making keratin.
Short on biotin? You may see hair loss or thinning. Biotin is linked to healthy, strong hair. Some hair products may use biotin to aid hair growth, these effects are best proven in those with low biotin levels.
Biotin might help prevent hair loss if you’re short on it, nutritional lack or hormone issues could be the root cause. Other treatments may be needed.
Check Out –PharmEasy Biotin
Fancy stronger nails? Biotin might help.
Weak nails might be a sign of low biotin. Those needing biotin might find supplements that may help their nails. But research on this is sparse.
Biotin may be a secret weapon for glowing skin.
Biotin might impact the skin but we’re not sure how. Lack of biotin is linked to skin problems like red, flaky rashes. This might be due to biotin’s role in fat breakdown. Still, we’ve no proof that biotin aids skin health in those with good biotin levels.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Keep an eye on your biotin levels. Biotin breaks down faster during pregnancy. This might lead to a small shortage. This lack may impact the mother’s health and the baby’s growth. So, it’s important to discuss biotin intake with a healthcare provider.
People with type 2 diabetes might have low biotin levels. Some research suggests biotin might improve glucose breakdown and diabetes management. However, more study is needed.
Biotin might be an ally in multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment.
Biotin in high doses has shown potential in slowing the progress of MS. It has reduced chronic disability in some patients. More research is needed, but this offers hope to those living with this tough condition.
Into the table here’s what we learned about biotin’s function and benefits:
| Biotin’s Function and Benefits | Examples |
| Breaking Down Macronutrients | Metabolism of carbs, fats, and proteins |
| Hair Health | Hair growth and loss prevention |
| Nail Health | May strengthen nails |
| Skin Health | May improve complexion and texture |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Support for fetal development is to be taken under the guidance of a doctor |
| Blood Sugar Regulation | Potentially helpful in diabetes management, more studies are needed. |
| MS Treatment Support | Possible support for MS treatment, more studies are needed. |
Biotin is not stored in the body, so you can eventually become low in biotin if there isn’t enough in your diet, bacteria in the small intestine can make small amounts of biotin. Biotin is also important for normal embryonic growth, making it a critical nutrient during pregnancy.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Aware of the signs of biotin lack? It’s time to learn.
Hair shedding? Might be low on biotin. It’s needed for making keratin, a building block of hair. So, a lack of biotin could lead to hair problems.
Dry and irritated skin is another sign of not getting enough biotin. This vital vitamin affects skin health because it’s involved in the breakdown of fats.
Feeling worn out can be another sign. Biotin turns food into fuel, so not having enough may lower energy levels.
Next up let’s talk about the symptoms of biotin deficiency:
| Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency | Examples |
| Hair Loss | Hair thinning |
| Dry Skin | Irritated skin |
| Fatigue | Low energy |
The most common B Vitamin you might already be familiar with is Biotin—also known as Vitamin B7. If you’ve been looking into growth vitamins to thicken your hair, you’re likely familiar with Biotin at this point. It’s an essential growth ingredient often added to supplements that promote healthy hair and nails
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Knowing why biotin lack happens can help you act to stop it.
Eating a less-varied diet, short on foods rich in biotin? That could be why. A balanced diet will give you all the nutrients you need, including biotin.
Inherited conditions like biotinidase deficiency can cause shortfalls in biotin. People affected by these conditions might need biotin supplements for life.
Planning a balanced menu, rich in foods high in biotin? That’s the best means to meet daily needs.
Need to know which foods can boost your biotin levels? We’re here to help.
A wide array of whole foods is packed with biotin. Proteins of animal and plant origin, fruits, and veggies are good sources. Include them in your meals daily for great health.
Here’s a quick list of foods heavy in biotin:
Want to get enough biotin each day? Try eating a diverse range of biotin-heavy foods. These include of beef, chicken, or fish, combined with fruit, veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds should do the trick.
Get to grips with biotin in the diet from the table below:
| Biotin in Diet | Examples |
| Biotin-rich Foods | Beef liver, eggs, salmon, pork, sunflower seeds |
| Balancing the Diet | Include biotin-rich foods in daily meals |
Even though supplements are an option, try to get your nutrients, including biotin, from whole foods first. Also, start biotin only after keeping your doctor in the loop:
Your healthcare provider may suggest taking biotin supplements if you have a known lack or are at high risk. Such groups might include pregnant women or those with certain health conditions.
Don’t forget to talk about dosage and safety with your healthcare provider before starting to take biotin.
How much biotin you need per day can vary by age and sex. It ranges from 5–35 mcg for most folks. Above all, get advice from your healthcare provider.
As a rule, biotin is safe to take. Any surplus leaves your body in your pee. However, large doses could impact some lab test results. Always make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any supplements you’re taking.
When searching for a biotin supplement, choose a brand that’s been tested for quality by a third party. Follow the guidance of your healthcare provider when deciding what type to take and how much.
Biotin is vital for our health. It’s needed in processes like energy release and metabolism. This guide set out to show the many ways biotin may help. It’s potentially important for hair growth, preventing hair loss, and overall health. This is especially true if you have a lack of biotin,
Evidence points to biotin aiding hair growth and loss only if you have a proven lack of it. For others, hair health may depend on other factors. In these cases, it may be necessary to tackle these underlying causes.
Whether you get it from food, trusted supplements, or both, keeping your biotin levels stable is critical to maintaining good health and always keeping your doctor in the loop.
The amount of biotin you need daily can change by age and sex. Ask your healthcare provider how much is right for you.
Check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, including biotin. They will advise on the length and amount of biotin supplements to take.
Biotin may interact with medications and other supplements. Always consult your healthcare provider before you start a new supplement, especially if taking other meds or supplements.
Biotin is seen as safe given excess is peed out. Still, it might affect the outcomes of certain lab tests, so make sure to inform your healthcare provider if you’re using any supplements.
Generally, biotin supplements offer the most benefit for those lacking biotin. Results may not be as good for others as other factors might impact their hair loss or growth.
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