For those looking to enhance the strength and health of their nails and achieve thick, full hair, can biotin supplements truly address common beauty issues?
How to overcome this deficiency?
Biotin deficiency is quite rare, and most individuals can obtain sufficient biotin (also known as vitamin B7) simply by consuming a balanced diet, according to Health line.
With advocates of biotin supplements highlighting their potential advantages for hair, nails, and more, it’s natural to question: How essential are biotin supplements, and do they provide more benefits to certain individuals?
What is the role of biotin?
Biotin aids various functions in the body, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, explains Dr. Misbah K. Keen, MD, MBI, MPH, a family medicine professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Additionally, biotin is crucial for maintaining the structure of keratin, a protein vital for healthy hair, skin, and nails, Keen tells USA TODAY.
During pregnancy, biotin becomes an essential nutrient that supports embryo growth, according to Mount Sinai.
Also Read: L-Lysine is an essential amino acid. Here’s why it matters.
Who is susceptible to biotin deficiency?
It’s crucial to recognize that most people can meet their biotin needs by consuming a range of biotin-rich foods—such as eggs, seeds, nuts, meat, and fish, states Dr. Barbara Bawer, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
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People Born with Enzyme Biotinidase
A very small number of individuals are born without the enzyme biotinidase. This inherited condition affects how a person metabolizes biotin, according to Dr. Lidya Bal, MD, a physician at Stamford Health. Global estimates suggest that biotinidase deficiency occurs in about one in 40,000 to one in 60,000 people, as reported by NCBI.
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Side effects of Biotin deficency:
While biotin deficiency is quite rare, it can lead to various side effects, including hair thinning or loss, brittle nails, a red scaly rash (around the eyes, nose, and mouth), a swollen and painful tongue, neurological changes (like numbness and tingling), and mental health issues (such as depression and lethargy), Keen adds.
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What happens to Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals?
Although it is rare, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals face a higher risk of biotin deficiency. Dr. Bawer explains that during pregnancy, the body metabolizes biotin more quickly. While breastfeeding, “you tend to excrete more biotin and therefore are at higher risk of being low,” she adds.
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People with Chronic Alchoholism:
People with chronic alcoholism and those on long-term antiseizure medications are also at risk for biotin deficiency,Keen points out. “These factors can interfere with biotin metabolism or absorption,” he explains.
Who can benefit from biotin supplements?
“Biotin supplements are used to prevent or treat biotin deficiency,” and those with a deficiency may find them helpful, says Bal.
Biotin supplements may be particularly beneficial during pregnancy and lactation, when maintaining healthy biotin levels is crucial, Hemeida states. There are risks associated with taking biotin supplements during pregnancy, so it’s important to consult your doctor beforehand, she advises.
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Expert’s Opinion:
Dr. Sarah Hemeida, MD, MPH, an assistant professor and family physician at UT Southwestern Family Medicine Department, emphasizes that biotin supplements should always be taken under medical supervision. She is also the co-director of Empowher Health, a program dedicated to educating women and dispelling cultural misinformation.
The adequate intake (AI) for biotin is 30 micrograms per day for adults and eight to 12 micrograms per day for children, according to Bal. However, dosages can vary based on the patient and the severity of their deficiency. In some cases, treatment may require a dosage of biotin supplements as high as 10mg per day, Bal notes.
Does biotin increase hair growth?
For most people, taking biotin supplements is unlikely to significantly affect hair growth. “While biotin is often promoted for hair loss, the evidence regarding its effectiveness is mixed,” Keen explains.
A 2017 review indicates that some studies found positive results from biotin supplementation in individuals with an acquired or inherited deficiency. However, such cases are relatively rare.
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What happens in normal individuals?
In healthy individuals who do not have a biotin deficiency, the same review concluded that biotin supplementation is unlikely to influence hair growth.
Does biotin support nail health?
Some small clinical trials suggest that biotin supplements may help strengthen brittle nails by enhancing their firmness, thickness, and hardness.
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What happens to normal individuals?
However, if you are not deficient in biotin, these supplements are unlikely to have any strengthening effect on your nails, according to Dr. Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
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When to take Biotin?
If you are dealing with brittle, easily broken nails, biotin supplements might be considered as a short-term solution, McMichael notes. However, it’s essential to consult with your board-certified dermatologist before starting any supplement for nail health, she emphasizes.
What is the downside of taking biotin?
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that any excess is excreted through urine, according to Hemeida. Overall, biotin is regarded as “a very safe vitamin.”
However, “too much of a good thing can be problematic with biotin, as it may hinder the accurate diagnosis of other important health issues,” and it could interfere with certain laboratory test results, Hemeida cautions.
“For this reason, we now advise patients to avoid taking biotin unless they have a deficiency.”
Here is the web story of this article: What does Biotin supplement Do? benefits and Potential Risks
