Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

 Biotin 

     Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin[B7] essential for metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and protein .It is also known as vitamin H.

It is a co-enzyme for synthesizing fatty acids and amino acids like isoleucine and valine.

Biotin plays an important role in normal foetal growth and in maintaining pregnancy. Folic acid also is equally important for foetal development.

  Biotin prevents nerve damage and thus vital for the nervous system. Biotin is important for the activity of pyruvate carboxylase. In the absence of biotin high levels of pyruvate and aspartate may be elevated, and this can adversely affect the nerves.

 Biotin may help to reduce neuropathy related to type 2 diabetes, although more researches are needed in this regard.

Studies have suggested that high dose biotin therapy might help improve symptoms in patients having multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system & causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

   There is no recommended daily allowance for biotin. However, biotin does have adequate intake (AI) levels, which are amounts that ensure nutritional adequacy.

How much biotin is needed daily?

 The Institute of Medicine suggests an AI of 30 mcg per day for adults ages 19 years and over.

Sources of biotin

Beef liver

Eggs (cooked)

Salmon

Avocados

Pork

Sweet potato

Nuts, seeds.

Who are at risk of biotin deficiency? 

Alcoholism can increase the risk of biotin deficiency as alcohol can block their absorption. Biotin deficiency may cause thinning hair, scaly skin rashes around eyes, nose, mouth and brittle nails. The other risk groups are 

•     Women during pregnancy

•     People receiving prolonged intravenous nutrition

•     Infants who consume breastmilk with low amounts of biotin

•     People with weak biotin absorption due to an inflammatory bowel disease or other gastrointestinal tract disorder.

Health impacts of biotin  on the nervous system

Biotin has potential effects to prevent nerve damage and  thus protects the nervous system. Biotin is important for the activity of pyruvate carboxylase enzyme. In the absence of biotin high levels of pyruvate and aspartate may be elevated, and this can adversely affect the nerves.

 Biotin may help to reduce neuropathy related to type 2 diabetes, although more researches are needed in this regard.

Studies have suggested that high dose biotin therapy might help improve symptoms in patients having multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system & causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

Supplements:

Do biotin supplements help hair loss?

Biotin supplements are often given for treatment for hair loss and to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. However, evidence showing a benefit of supplementation is inconclusive. There is only limited evidence to suggest biotin can provide a benefit to hair growth in otherwise healthy people though its use as a hair and nail growth supplement is prevalent.

Biotin may have benefits in those suffering from pathologic brittle hair syndrome or uncombable hair syndrome.Researches are ongoing regarding the management of this condition and role of biotin as biotinidase deficiency is present in this disorder.

No evidence in humans has shown a toxicity of biotin even with high intake.

Do biotin supplements help pregnancy, foetus and nerve related diseases in others?

It is given for women before and during pregnancy to avoid the risk of fetal anomalies. Biotin  is also given for nerve pain management, especially in diabetic neuropathy.

REFERENCES

1.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31973013/

2.     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/

3.     https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/biotin-vitamin-b7/