In this article, we will discuss the scientific evidence for the efficacy of biotin.
Biotin is a vitamin and can be found in small amounts in many foods such as eggs, milk, or bananas. And it is commonly taken for conditions such as hair loss, fragile nails, and nerve damage.
Is there any scientific evidence for the effectiveness of biotin?
What are the supposedly beneficial effects?
For biotin deficiency, it has been suggested that taking it may help treat low blood levels, and it is also expected to prevent blood levels of biotin from becoming too low. Low blood levels may cause thinning of the hair and a 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 may occur in people who are pregnant, on long-term tube feeding, malnourished, experiencing rapid weight loss, or suffering from certain genetic conditions, as well as cigarette smoking.
What is considered probably ineffective?
Skin rashes in infants (seborrheic dermatitis)
Those for which there is insufficient scientific evidence to claim an effect.
Hair loss
Biotin - A hereditary condition called thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease.
Fragile nails and toe nails
Diabetes
Diabetic nerve pain
Muscle cramps related to dialysis
Multiple Sclerosis
While some studies have shown results for these things, overall the evidence is considered insufficient, so we cannot say that there is scientific evidence for these things.
Physiology of Biotin
Biotin is an important component of enzymes in the body that break down certain substances such as fats and carbohydrates. There is no good laboratory test to detect low biotin levels, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms. Other symptoms include depression, fatigue, hallucinations, and stabbing pains in the arms and legs.
There is also some evidence that diabetes can cause low biotin levels.
Safety Issues
Biotin is considered safe when properly ingested by mouth or applied to the skin as a cosmetic product containing 0.0001% to 0.6% biotin, and is therefore not considered problematic when used at recommended dosages.
Special precautions and warnings
Pregnant and lactating women may be safe when used in recommended doses. Consult your health care professional.
Are there any interactions with herbs or supplements?
Taking alpha lipoic acid and biotin together may reduce the body's absorption of each other, and taking biotin and vitamin B 5 together may reduce the body's absorption of each other.
