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Biotin

Overview

Biotin is a vitamin. Foods such as eggs, milk, or bananas contain small amounts of biotin.

Biotin is used for biotin deficiency. It is also commonly used for hair loss, brittle nails, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Vitamin

Primary Functions:

Biotin Deficiency

Also Known As:

Biotina, Biotine, Biotine-D, Coenzyme R, D-Biotin, Vitamin B7, Vitamin H

How Does It Work?

Biotin is an important component of enzymes in the body that break down certain substances like fats, carbohydrates, and others.

There isn't a good laboratory test for detecting low biotin levels, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms, which include thinning of the hair (frequently with loss of hair color) and red scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Other symptoms include depression, tiredness, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs. There is some evidence that diabetes could cause low biotin levels.

Uses

  • Biotin deficiency.Taking biotin can help treat low blood levels of biotin. It can also prevent blood levels of biotin from becoming too low. Low blood levels of biotin can cause thinning of the hair and rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Other symptoms include depression, lack of interest, hallucinations, and tingling in the arms and legs. Low biotin levels can occur in people who are pregnant, who have had long-term tube feeding, who are malnourished, who have undergone rapid weight loss, or who have a specific inherited condition. Cigarette smoking might also cause low blood levels of biotin.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • General: There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) established for biotin. The adequate intakes (AI) for biotin are 30 mcg for adults over 18 years and pregnant women, and 35 mcg for breast-feeding women.
  • Biotin deficiency: Up to 10 mg daily has been used.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

  • General: There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) established for biotin. The adequate intakes (AI) for biotin are 7 mcg for infants 0-12 months, 8 mcg for children 1-3 years, 12 mcg for children 4-8 years, 20 mcg for children 9-13 years, and 25 mcg for adolescents 14-18 years.
  • Biotin deficiency: Up to 10 mg daily has been used in infants.

Biotin Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Are there side effects to taking biotin?

Possible Side Effects

Biotin supplements can cause problems if you ingest too much. Side effects can include skin rashes, digestive upset, problems with insulin release, and kidney problems.

Do biotin supplements really work?

There's some research to suggest that increased biotin intake can improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine. You may already be getting the biotin you need through your diet, so talk with your doctor about the best option for you. They may recommend certain dietary changes or a biotin supplement.

What are the benefits of Biotin supplements?

Biotin: 5 healthy benefits of this B vitamin

  • Strengthen hair and nails. Though there's minimal research to support the effects of biotin on hair growth, there's strong evidence to support a deficiency will cause hair loss.
  • Improve the health of your skin.
  • Supports your metabolism.
  • Lower cholesterol.
  • Regulate blood sugar.

Does biotin cause weight gain?

Your resting metabolic rate is elevated and food breaks down faster when consuming biotin, which is why there's a link to biotin and accelerating weight loss. However, research is still preliminary and in no way does biotin act as a weight loss pill.

How long does it take biotin to work on hair?

If you're taking a supplement, it's important that you take it daily or as directed by your doctor. Although research is limited, studies from 2012 and 2015 suggest that results may be seen in as little as 90 days. This includes an increase in growth and shine.

Why is biotin bad for you?

Possible Side Effects

Biotin supplements can cause problems if you ingest too much. Side effects can include skin rashes, digestive upset, problems with insulin release, and kidney problems. As with any supplement, the safety of long-term or high-dose use isn't known.

Is Biotin good for thinning hair?

The bottom line. If you're experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, biotin may assist in regrowth. There's some research to suggest that increased biotin intake can improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine. They may recommend certain dietary changes or a biotin supplement.

Will biotin help me lose weight?

Along with boosting metabolism, biotin can also aid in weight loss. Essentially, consuming or ingesting biotin elevates your resting rate of metabolism. As this vitamin increases your metabolism, it can help accelerate weight loss, especially when paired with chromium.

Is biotin or collagen better?

Whether you're looking to strengthen your hair, skin, or nails, IdealCollagen is the way to go. If you're deciding between biotin and collagen, remember that you can get the full benefits of biotin through foods, but you can only get the full benefits of hydrolyzed collagen in IdealCollagen.

Is 5000 mcg biotin safe?

Dosage, Preparation, and Safety

Although there is no recommended dietary allowance for biotin, proponents often recommend taking 2 to 5 mg (2000 to 5000 mcg) of biotin in supplement form daily in order to strengthen hair shafts and achieve results. You can find out more about how to use supplements safely here.

Does biotin regrow hair?

The bottom line. If you're experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, biotin may assist in regrowth. There's some research to suggest that increased biotin intake can improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine.

Can I take 10000 mcg of biotin daily?

For starters, many biotin supplements contain way more biotin than the generally accepted amount you need per day, with many supplements containing anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 micrograms of biotin per pill. The NIH even says that there's no evidence that biotin is toxic at high levels.

Does biotin make you sleepy?

Research shows that a deficiency in B-complex vitamins, including biotin, can cause sleep and anxiety problems. By increasing your intake of biotin, anxiety and sleep issues can be reduced because biotin aids a number of functions within the body to promote overall health and well being.

Can taking biotin cause acne?

Biotin supplements and acne

Currently, there is minimal evidence that taking biotin supplements causes acne. Plus, some people theorize that biotin supplements could cause acne by interfering with the absorption of pantothenic acid, as your body uses the same pathway to absorb both nutrients.

Is 10000 mcg of biotin too much?

For starters, many biotin supplements contain way more biotin than the generally accepted amount you need per day, with many supplements containing anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 micrograms of biotin per pill. The NIH even says that there's no evidence that biotin is toxic at high levels.

Can taking too much biotin cause hair loss?

Unlike many other nutritional supplements, biotin supplements do not carry a risk of toxicity or overdose. It is important for individuals experiencing unexpected or unusual hair loss to speak to a doctor. In most cases, biotin deficiencies are not the cause of hair loss, but they may be a contributing factor.

Does biotin affect thyroid?

Biotin is a readily available supplement that is part of the B-complex vitamins. Biotin is a common component of multivitamin preparations and at high doses it has been reported to cause interference in immunoassays resulting in abnormal thyroid function tests.

Can I take multivitamin and biotin together?

Biotin doesn't have any known interactions, but your doctor should still confirm supplement use alongside any other medications you may be taking. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, so any extra biotin in your body will flush out through your urine.

Does biotin thicken hair?

The bottom line. If you're experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, biotin may assist in regrowth. There's some research to suggest that increased biotin intake can improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine.

Does biotin help lose belly fat?

Biotin plays a pivotal role in supporting metabolic function and works as a co-enzyme to help break down food, including carbohydrates, fats and protein. However, research is still preliminary and in no way does biotin act as a weight loss pill.

How does biotin improve skin?

Skin health

Biotin's role in skin health may be related to its effect on fat metabolism, which is important for the skin and may be impaired when biotin is lacking. There is no evidence showing that biotin improves skin health in people who aren't deficient in the vitamin.

Are biotin tablets safe?

Biotin Side Effects

Biotin is a safe and nontoxic vitamin. It has not been associated with any serious side effects, even in large doses. The FDA reports that biotin is safe and well tolerated when taken by mouth in recommended doses.

Can biotin make you constipated?

Constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach may occur. These effects are usually temporary and may disappear as your body adjusts to this medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Clinical Studies

 

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