Biotin also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H is a water–soluble vitamin that is essential for overall health and can contribute to enhancing our natural beauty. It supports metabolic functions, such as the synthesis of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose by contributing to overall bodily function. Biotin catabolism refers to the breakdown or metabolism of biotin for its utilization in various bodily processes. Together, these processes play a role in maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails, earning biotin the name as “Beauty vitamin”.

 

How Does Biotin Deficiency Affect The Body?

Biotin deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms that usually appear gradually. In infants, the condition may be detected through newborn screening tests before symptoms even appear.

Some common signs of biotin deficiency include thinning hair and eventually hair loss all over the body, a red rash around body openings like the eyes, nose, mouth, and perineum, conjunctivitis, acid buildup in the body and urine, seizures, skin infections, brittle nails, and neurological problems like depression, lethargy, hallucinations, and abnormal sensations in the extremities.

Biotinidase deficiency is the most common cause of biotin deficiency in developed countries. Individuals with this deficiency may experience impaired growth, skin and hair changes, and neurological problems if left untreated. Symptom severity can vary with some experiencing symptoms only during times of stress or infection.

Biotinidase deficiency in infants can cause symptoms like dry skin, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, fungal infections and a scaly rash. Hair and nails may become brittle, and hair loss can occur. Untreated biotinidase deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms including muscle weakness, developmental delays, depression, hallucinations, seizures and optic atrophy.

Intestinal problems in biotin deficiency may include nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, while respiratory symptoms can involve breathing difficulties and abnormal breathing patterns. Metabolic problems like organic aciduria, keto lactic acidosis, and mild elevation of ammonia levels can also be present. In some cases, another condition called holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency can occur, which may result in growth problems and abnormal central nervous system findings even before birth.

 

Treatment For Biotin Deficiency

The management of biotin deficiency depends on the underlying cause. The key aspects of medical care for patients with biotin deficiency include early recognition of the condition and prompt initiation of therapy with oral biotin. The recommended dose is typically 5-10 mg per day, which may be increased to 15-20 mg per day during puberty. Children with partial deficiency usually require a lower dose of 1-5 mg per day.

Individuals with genetic disorders affecting biotin metabolisms, such as biotinidase deficiency and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, need lifelong treatment with biotin. In cases where biotin deficiency is a result of anticonvulsant therapy, the healthcare provider may consider switching to a different medication that does not interfere with biotin absorption. Alternatively, supplemental biotin can be prescribed.

Similarly, individuals on long-term oral antibiotic therapy may benefit from biotin supplementation. If biotin deficiency is expected to last for more than one week in patients receiving total parental nutrition (TPN), it is important to include biotin-containing vitamins in the TPN solution.

 

Complications Of Biotin Deficiency

 If biotin deficiency is not treated promptly or adequately, it can lead to several irreversible complications. These complications may include vision problems – such as difficulty seeing, sensory-neural hearing loss, ataxia – a lack of muscle coordination, cognitive impairment, which can impact thinking, memory, and learning abilities, and developmental delay, where a child may not reach milestones at the expected time. It is crucial to diagnose and treat biotin deficiency early to prevent these long-term complications.

 

 Biotin And Hair Health

  •  Promoting Hair Growth: Keratin is essential for hair strength and resilience. Adequate biotin levels ensure that the body has enough resources to produce keratin, leading to healthy hair growth.
  • Strengthening Hair: Biotin contributes to the overall strength and resilience of hair strands. Biotin strengthens hair, reducing breakage and damage. Stronger hair strands can withstand daily stressors like styling, brushing, and environmental factors, leading to reduced hair damage and breakage.
  • Improving Hair Thickness: Biotin can contribute to thicker-looking hair. Promoting the production of keratin, it helps in increasing the diameter and volume of individual hair strands. This can result in the appearance of thicker and fuller hair.
  • Addressing Hair Loss and Baldness: Hair loss can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and genetics. Healthy hair follicles are essential for producing strong and healthy hair strands. Biotin supports healthy hair follicles, leading to reduced hair loss and improved hair regrowth.

 

 

Biotin And Nail Health

Biotin plays a crucial role in the production of keratin, a protein that is essential for string and healthy nails. Keratin provides strength and structure to nails which helps reduce their susceptibility to breakage and damage. By supporting the production of keratin, biotin helps strengthen nails, making them more resilient.

Improving Brittle Nails: Brittle nails are nails that are weak, easily breakable, and prone to splitting. Biotin can help improve the condition of brittle nails by promoting the growth of stronger and healthier nails. It nourishes the nail bed and supports the development of new cells, leading to improved nail texture and reduced brittleness.

 

Biotin And Skin Health

  • Addressing Acne and Breakouts: Biotin plays a role in maintaining healthy skin by supporting the metabolism of fatty acids. Balanced fatty acid metabolism is crucial as imbalances can contribute to skin issues such as acne and breakouts. By promoting proper fatty acid metabolism, biotin helps reduce the occurrence of acne and breakouts, leading to clearer and healthier skin.
  • Anti-Aging Benefits: Biotin has anti-aging properties that contribute to maintaining a youthful appearance of the skin. Biotin helps in the production of natural oils that moisturize and safeguard the skin from dryness and damage. This can contribute to reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles promoting smoother and supple skin.

 

Recommended Biotin Intake

The recommended daily intake of biotin varies based on age, sex and health conditions. The recommended daily intake of biotin for adults is generally around 30 to 100 micrograms (mcg). However, pregnant and breastfeeding women may need slightly higher amounts.

Biotin can be found in various food sources such as organic meats, eggs, fish, seeds, nuts and vegetables like sweet potatoes. However the quantity of biotin in these foods can differ due to variety, season and processing methods. Raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that hinders the absorption of biotin in the digestive system. However, cooking eggs denatures avidin, rendering it unable to interfere with biotin absorption. This means that consuming cooked eggs is a safe way to obtain biotin without the risk of interference.

In addition to dietary sources, biotin supplements are also available. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has provided recommendations for adequate intake (AI) levels of various nutrients, including biotin. Biotin is available in different forms such as supplements that contain biotin only, as well as those that combine it with other B-complex vitamins or as part of multivitamin / multi-mineral products.

If biotin is taken orally, it has a high absorption rate of 100%. This means that the body can effectively absorb and utilize biotin, even if the person is taking higher doses of up to 20 mg per day.

 

 

Choosing The Right Biotin Supplement

Choosing the right biotin supplement can be overwhelming with the numerous options available. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a biotin supplement:

  • Quality and Purity: Looking for a reputable brand that follows good manufacturing practices (GMP) and third-party testing to ensure the quality and purity of their products. This can help ensure that the supplement contains the stated amount of biotin and is free from contaminants.
  • Dosage Strength: Biotin supplements come in various dosage strengths, typically requirements ranging from 500 micrograms (mcg) to 10,000 mcg per serving. It’s important to choose a dosage that aligns with specific needs and the advice of a healthcare professional.
  • Formulation and Ingredients: Consider the form of the supplement, such as capsules, tablets, or gummies, and check the list of ingredients to ensure there are no unnecessary additives or allergens that may not be suitable.
  • Bioavailability: Biotin supplementation may contain different forms of biotin, which can include aspartic acid–biotin or biotinylated compounds. Looking for supplements that use forms with good bioavailability, meaning they can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body will be helpful.
  • Additional Ingredients: Some biotin supplements may include other nutrients or botanical extracts that are believed to support hair, skin, and nail health. Consider if these additional ingredients align with the specific goals of a person and if there is any scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Customer reviews and seeking recommendations from trusted sources or healthcare professionals to get insights into the reputation and effectiveness of the biotin supplement can be considered.

 

Some Common Questions on Biotin

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Biotin Supplementation?

When taken at recommended doses, biotin is generally considered safe with minimal side effects. However, in some circumstances, taking too much biotin supplementation may result in unwanted side effects. Some of the possible negative effects include:

  • Digestive Problems: When you take excessive amount of biotin supplements, some people may develop stomach discomforts including nausea, cramps, or diarrhoea. Often these mild symptoms tend to go away on their own once the dosage is adjusted or the supplementation is stopped.
  • Allergic Reactions: Although rare, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to biotin supplements.
  • Liver disease: Liver disease can impair the liver’s ability to process and metabolize biotin, leading to biotin deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies. Managing liver disease requires personalized care and suitable supplements.

 

Can Biotin Cause Interactions With Medications?

Biotin supplements have minimal interactions with medications but there are a few exceptions to consider. Here are some potential interactions between biotin and certain medications:

  • Anticonvulsants: Biotin can affect the levels of anticonvulsant medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) in the body.
  • Cholesterol-lowering Drugs: Biotin may interfere with the absorption of certain cholesterol-lowering medications, such as cholestyramine (Questran) and colesevelam (WelChol). To avoid potential interactions, it’s recommended to take these medications at least 4 hours before or after taking biotin supplements.
  • Diabetes Medications: Biotin can impact blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes medications.
  • Immunosuppressant: Biotin can potentially interfere with the effectiveness of immunosuppressant medications such as cyclosporine, commonly prescribed after organ transplantation.

 

What Are The Indicators Of Biotin Deficiency?

Serum and urine biotin levels are not reliable indicators of inadequate biotin intake. However, serum testing can help confirm the consumption of biotin-containing supplements and determine if enough time has passed since supplement use to avoid interference with drug tests. Indirect measures of biotin deficiency rely on assessing the requirement for carboxylases, enzymes that depend on biotin. For example, measuring the urinary excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, an intermediate compound in the breakdown of the amino acid leucine, can serve as an early and sensitive indicator of biotin deficiency.

 

High-Dose Of Biotin As Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis?

High doses of biotin (300 mg/day) have been studied for multiple sclerosis treatment. It is believed that biotin works by activating certain enzymes involved in the production of the protective covering, by improving energy production in nerve cells and potentially slowing down or even reversing the damage caused by the disease.

 

Can Biotin Prevent Or Reverse Graying Hair?

Biotin is not known to prevent or reverse graying hair. Graying hair is mainly influenced by genetics and the aging process. Biotin is important for maintaining hair health but does not directly affect hair pigmentation.

 

Can Biotin Improve The Appearance Of Stretch Marks?

There is limited scientific evidence to suggest that biotin can specifically improve the appearance of stretch marks. Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches rapidly, often during pregnancy or periods of rapid growth. While maintaining healthy skin through proper nutrition, hydration, and overall skin care may be beneficial, biotin alone may not have a significant impact on the appearance of stretch marks.