Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, Vitamin H, Coenzyme R or Biopeiderm, plays a key role in the body. It supports the health of the skin, nerves, digestive tract, metabolism, and cells. Biotin may also help to treat some types of nerve pathology, such as the peripheral neuropathy that can result from kidney failure or diabetes. Biotin is also important for normal embryonic growth, making it a critical nutrient during pregnancy.
Biotin is used for preventing and treating biotin deficiency associated with pregnancy, long-term tube feeding, malnutrition, and rapid weight loss. It is also used orally for hair loss, brittle nails, skin rash in infants (seborrheic dermatitis), diabetes, and mild depression.
Biotin has had a number of different names since it was first discovered. Scientists weren't sure what it did, couldn't decide if it was an enzyme or a vitamin, and had trouble naming it. Biotin is still sometimes referred to as vitamin H, although it is now known that biotin is a B-complex vitamin.
Biotin is part of the B complex group of vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly.
Your body needs biotin to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails and it's found in many cosmetic products for hair and skin.
Like all B vitamins, it is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning the body does not store it. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.
However, bacteria in the intestine can make biotin. It is also available in small amounts in a number of foods.
If you have a deficiency, biotin could help to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. However, most cases of hair loss are not caused by a deficiency, and it is unlikely that hair loss would be the only symptom.
There isn't a good laboratory test for detecting biotin deficiency, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms, which include hair loss, thinning of the hair (frequently with loss of hair color), dry scaly skin, cracking in the corners of the mouth (called cheilitis), swollen and painful tongue that is magenta in color (glossitis), dry eyes, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Nervous system symptoms include depression, exhaustion, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs.
Biotin deficiencies are rare, although certain conditions or situations may increase the risk, such as:
Biotinidase deficiency (a genetic disorder)
Certain seizure medications or antibiotics
Consumption of large quantities of raw egg whites (which contain a substance that causes biotin depletion)
Kidney dialysis
IV feedings (known as total parenteral nutrition or TPN) that do not contain biotin
Smokers and pregnant women may also be at risk for mild biotin deficiencies
There is some evidence that diabetes and cigarette smoking could result in biotin deficiency
People who have been on parenteral nutrition -- nutrition given through an IV -- for a long period of time, those taking antiseizure medication or antibiotics long-term, and people with conditions like Crohn's disease that make it hard to absorb nutrients are more likely to be deficient in biotin.
Pregnant women tend to have a high risk of biotin deficiency. Research has shown that nearly half of pregnant women have an abnormal increase of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, which reflects reduced status of biotin. Numbers of studies reported that this possible biotin deficiency during the pregnancy may cause infants' congenital malformations such as cleft palate. Mice fed with dried raw egg to induce biotin deficiency during the gestation resulted in up to 100% incidence of the infants' malnourishment. Infants and embryos are more sensitive to the biotin deficiency. Therefore, even a mild level of the mother's biotin deficiency that does not reach the appearance of physiological deficiency signs may cause a serious consequence in the infants.
Biotin is necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. It plays a role in the citric acid cycle, which is the process by which biochemical energy is generated during aerobic respiration. Biotin not only assists in various metabolic reactions but also helps to transfer carbon dioxide. Biotin may also be helpful in maintaining a steady blood sugar level. Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails. As a consequence, it is found in many cosmetics and health products for the hair and skin, though it cannot be absorbed through the hair or skin itself.
Although biotin supplementation is clearly beneficial for people who have biotin deficiencies, people take biotin for other reasons as well. Biotin is claimed to be beneficial for the following problems or conditions:
Hair loss
Brittle nails
Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis in infants)
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Depression
There is little scientific evidence to support the use of biotin for uses other than to treat a biotin deficiency and hair loss. Many of its proposed uses are based on weak evidence or case reports:
Diabetics may benefit from biotin supplementation. In both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetics, supplementation with biotin can improve blood sugar control and help lower fasting blood glucose levels, in some studies the reduction in fasting glucose exceeded 50 percent. Biotin can also play a role in preventing the neuropathy often associated with diabetes, reducing both the numbness and tingling associated with poor glucose control.
The signs and symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss which progresses in severity to include loss of eyelashes and eyebrows in severely deficient subjects, as well as nails that break, chip, or flake easily. Biotin supplements are available in most pharmacies. The recommended dose is about 5000mcg to 7500mcg per day. Thicker and stronger hair and healthier nails may be seen within several months, depending on rate of growth. Some shampoos are available that contain biotin, but it is doubtful whether they would have any useful effect, as biotin is not absorbed well through the skin.
Patients with palmoplantar pustulosis had metabolic derangements of glucose and fatty acids as well as immune dysfunction derived from biotin deficiency, which led to abnormal manifestations of skin, bone and other tissues and organs. All of the clinical, metabolic and immune disorders were improved by biotin administration. These findings indicate that biotin deficiency was implicated in the outbreak and exacerbation of the disease and its complications. Supplementary addition of a probiotic agent to the biotin treatment intensified the therapeutic effect of the vitamin. Additionally, patients with psoriasis vulgaris, systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis also had biotin deficiency with the subsequent metabolic abnormalities and immune dysfunction, and so the biotin treatment provided beneficial effects in the therapy of the diseases, as in the case of palmoplantar pustulosis.
Children with a rare inherited metabolic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU; in which one is unable to break down the amino acid phenylalanine) often develop skin conditions such as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis in areas of the body other than the scalp. The scaly skin changes that occur in people with PKU may be related to poor ability to use biotin. Increasing dietary biotin has been known to improve seborrheic dermatitis in these cases.
There have been reports that biotin supplements improve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy for some people who developed this condition from either diabetes or ongoing dialysis for kidney failure. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet, hands, legs, or arms. Numbness, tingling, burning or strange sensations, pain, muscle weakness, and trouble walking are some symptoms.
Biotin can be found in brewer's yeast; liver; cooked eggs, especially egg yolk; some fish, especially sardines; butter, cheese, and milk; nuts (almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts) and nut butters; soybeans; other legumes (beans, blackeye peas, green peas, lentils, soybeans, sunflower seeds, corn, fortified cereals, cauliflower,); whole grains; cauliflower; bananas; and mushrooms.
Biotin is destroyed by certain food-processing techniques such as canning and heat curing. Less-processed versions of the foods listed above contain more biotin.
Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which combines with biotin in the intestinal tract interferes with the body's absorption of biotin.
Biotin is available in multivitamins and B-vitamin complexes, and as individual supplements.
Standard preparations are available in 10 mcg, 50 mcg, and 100 mcg tablets and contain either simple biotin or a complex with brewer's yeast.
As with all supplements, check with a health care provider before giving biotin to a child.
Adequate daily intakes for biotin from food, according to the National Academy of Sciences, are listed below.
Pediatric
Infants birth - 6 months: 5 mcg
Infants 7 - 12 months: 6 mcg
Children 1 - 3 years: 8 mcg
Children 4 - 8 years: 12 mcg
Children 9 - 13 years: 20 mcg
Adolescents 14 - 18 years: 25 mcg
Adult
19 years and older: 30 mcg
Pregnant women: 30 mcg
Breastfeeding women: 35 mcg
Biotin has not been associated with any side effects, even in high doses, and is considered to be non-toxic.
Another thing that isn't a side effect of biotin itself but of the supplement is that often with biotin supplements, there are other things inside the pills: Other Ingredients: Rice Flour, Cellulose (capsule), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source) and Silica. So while a person might not have an adverse reaction to the biotin itself, they made experience side effects or allergic reaction to the other components inside the supplement.
That said, biotin is safe for most people when taken appropriately and by mouth. Biotin is well tolerated when used at recommended dosages.
Biotin is safe when used in recommended amounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Biotin is safe for children when consumed in normal food amounts (or in amounts used in children's multivitamins). It is not known if higher doses of biotin are beneficial or safe for children.
People receiving kidney dialysis may need extra biotin. Check with your health care provider.
Ingestion of large amounts of raw egg whites and long-term anticonvulsant therapy can induce biotin deficiency.
Although there is no evidence that biotin interacts with any medication, there are some medications that may lower biotin levels. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use biotin without first talking to your health care provider.
Antibiotics -- Long-term antibiotic use may lower biotin levels by destroying the bacteria in the gut that produces biotin.
Antiseizure Medications -- Taking antiseizure or anticonvulsants medications for a long time can lower biotin levels in the body. Valproic acid can cause biotinidase deficiency, which may be helped by biotin supplements. Ask your doctor before taking any supplements, however. Anticonvulsant medications include:
Carbamazepine (Carbatrol)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Primidone (Mysoline)
The Institute of Medicine has provided general guidelines for dietary requirements for most people.
However, dosing recommendations for specific uses (rather than for general nutritional supplementation) have not yet been established.
Biotina, Biotine, Biotine-D, Coenzyme R, D-Biotin, Vitamin B7, Vitamin H, Vitamine B7, Vitamine H, W Factor, Cis-hexahydro-2-oxo-1H-thieno[3,4-d]-imidazole-4-valeric Acid.
The following reviews have been selected:
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52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Works..., November 16, 2010
By
Napoleon (Princeton, NJ USA)
Product works great! I have been using it for a month and I've seen significant difference in my skin, nails, and hair. Being that I am a black woman I have tons of products at home that don't do what they claim, so it is quite refreshing to finally find a product that not only is good for my health but also will aid in my hair growth, limit hair shedding, provide me with bright clear skin, and strengthen my nail growth. All in all, this is definitely a keeper!
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5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good, December 7, 2011
By
Ariel
Iv'e been taking this product for 3 weeks, and so far I am impressed! I usually have tons of hair falling out, since i've been taking this product, my hair is feeling thicker, and my hair falls out about 95 percent less than it used to. So far i'm extremely happy.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Working!, October 25, 2011
By
everythingsarah
I have female pattern baldness and I have tried soooo many other pills but this is the only one that is actually working. Now its not overnite but I've been on it 2 months and my hair is growing in. The best part is its a B vitamin so I know I'm not putting anything harmful in my body :) Oh and a positive side effect my nails are strong and grow quickly! I highly recommend this
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143 of 145 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Working well after just 2 1/2 weeks, January 13, 2010
By
Leanne (San Diego, CA)
I've only been taking these Biotin supplements for 2 1/2 weeks, but I can already tell a difference. The last year or so, I've noticed that my hair is thinning in the front, and it's gotten worse the last few months as I've started perimenopause. I've also had two nails that are splitting/peeling, and I haven't been able to grow them out or do anything to stop the splitting. I bought the Biotin to help with these two problems, and so far it's already making a difference.
While it's still too soon to notice any difference in the thickness of my hair, my splitting/peeling nails have already grown out to the point where they are no longer splitting. In fact, the top layer of the nail that was separating from the rest of the nail seems to be more "fused" in place. My nails also feel harder and stronger, and almost brighter.
Additionally, I've also noticed that both my eyelashes and my eyebrows have gotten longer...
At this rate, I'm very happy with this product since it has had noticeable results. Like I said, I haven't noticed too much difference in the front of my hair, but I know that that is because it is still early in the process and it can take several months to have noticeable hair growth.
It sort of snuck up on me, too, how quickly this was working. The other day, I glanced down and was surprised to see that my nail was no longer splitting. I wasn't expecting such quick results, and was pleasantly surprised. Since I have seen results with my nails, eyelashes, and eyebrows, however, I know that this is working already, and I can't wait to see continued results with my hair.
UPDATE ON 3/2/10: I've been taking these Biotin tablets now for about two months, and notice a definite difference in my hair and nails. The front of my hair has started filling in, and my hair is much thicker in those places where I had noticed some hair loss. My nails are also growing really quickly, and they are strong, with no more cracking or peeling.
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46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars It works, stay hydrated, April 7, 2011
By
Delaney
Biotin will help your hair to grow. You can also get Biotin in a multivitamin that resembles a prenatal vitamin sans the high iron count. I was worried about the cystic acne that I had heard other users talk about. I suppose it helped that I started out on a much lower dose and worked my way up. Also I made a very conscientious effort to stay hydrated so that I could flush out whatever Biotin my body wasn't using. I also took biotin with Hyalruonic acid which helps with joint flexibility and your skin's elasticity...
I do have a couple things going on here. I lost some hair due to my neurological medication that I take because of an automobile accident, and then I also have PCOS. Women with PCOS usually have all kinds of fun hair on their face and such, and they also are insulin resistant. Interestingly the biotin helps to reduce triglycerides as well as a "bad" form for cholesterol called "VLDL" which tends to be present in PCOS patients blood. And the Biotin and a combination of Chromium can help to reduce the blood sugar of diabetics. So in trying to grow back my lost hair I ended up doing something pretty good for my PCOS. I would suggest that if you have PCOS you should have a little chat with your doctor before you go ahead, especially if you are already on something for your insulin issues. (I am also on Metformin for my PCOS, but apparently not as high a dose as you can go.) For any other PCOS patients who may be concerned about growing hair other than where hair should be, I have had no new facial hair as a result of using Biotin. My eyelashes are longer and thicker, but this is desirable, my eyebrows are about normal, no new mustache, no beard, no neck hair. Just my eyelashes and my head. No increase in my arm hair either.
Hope that helps.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Products works......on dogs., December 11, 2011
By
Rick
In conjunction with gelatin, Biotin has helped my dog's problem with losing his nails. At one point, my dog lost all of his nails, but now they are growing back and we are able to dremmel them to continue to strengthen them. The process has taken some time, but with some patience and persistance, this product does work.
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