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Biotin

Uses

Biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin, acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
2 Stars
Brittle Nails
2.5 mg daily
Biotin has been shown to improve nail firmness and thickness and to reduce splitting in several studies.

, a B vitamin, is known to strengthen hooves in animals. As a result, Swiss researchers investigated the use of biotin in strengthening brittle fingernails in humans, despite the fact that it remains unclear exactly how biotin affects nail structure. An uncontrolled trial of 2.5 mg biotin per day found improved firmness and hardness in almost all cases after an average treatment time of 5.5 months. In a controlled trial using 2.5 mg of biotin per day, women with brittle nails, who had their nail thickness measured before and at six to fifteen months after, found their nail thickness increased by 25%. As a result, splitting of nails was reduced. In an uncontrolled study of people who had been taking biotin for brittle nails in America, 63% showed improvement from taking biotin. Although the amount of research on the subject is quite limited and positive effects do not appear in all people, those people having brittle nails may want to consider a trial period of at least several months, using 2.5 mg per day of biotin.

2 Stars
Multiple Sclerosis
Refer to label instructions
In a preliminary study, supplementation with biotin was associated with an improvement in neurological function in patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.
In a preliminary study, supplementation with large amounts of biotin (100 to 300 mg per day) for an average of 9 months was associated with an improvement in neurological function in a majority of patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. The beneficial effect of biotin (300 mg per day for 12 months) was confirmed in a double-blind study of patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, although only 13% of the patients in that study improved. Because multiple sclerosis can be a serious illness, and because the amount of biotin used in this study was very large, this treatment should be monitored by a doctor.
2 Stars
Pregnancy and Postpartum Support
Use a prenatal supplement that includes biotin
Biotin deficiency may occur in as many as 50% of pregnant women. A prenatal multiple vitamin and mineral formula that contains biotin may help prevent a deficiency.

deficiency may occur in as many as 50% of pregnant women. As biotin deficiency in pregnant animals results in birth defects, it seems reasonable to use a prenatal multiple vitamin and mineral formula that contains biotin.

2 Stars
Type 1 Diabetes
16 mg daily
Biotin may improve glucose levels and reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.
Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. High doses of biotin have been suggested to reverse some of the negative effects of chronic low insulin levels on glucose metabolism. In a pilot trial, people with type 1 diabetes given 16 mg of biotin per day for one week experienced 50% reductions in fasting glucose levels. In a placebo-controlled trial, people with type 1 diabetes treated with biotin at doses of about 2–4 mg per day, depending on body weight, had improvements in blood glucose regulation and blood lipid levels after three months. Case reports suggest biotin may also reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy). Some doctors recommend a trial of 16 mg of biotin daily for a few weeks to see if blood sugar levels decrease.
2 Stars
Type 2 Diabetes
9 to 15 mg daily
Biotin may improve glucose and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes and reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.

Biotin is a B vitamin needed to activate a major enzyme involved in glucose metabolism. In a clinical trial, 43 participants with type 2 diabetes were found to have lower serum biotin levels compared to healthy people without diabetes. Supplementation with 3 mg of biotin three times per day (along with a probiotic) for two months led to normalization of glucose levels. In addition, five participants who continued to take biotin for four years maintained these benefits. In another trial, taking 64.1 micromoles (15 mg) of biotin per day for 28 days led to reductions in high triglyceride levels, but had no effect on glucose or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Case reports suggest long-term treatment with high-dose biotin may reduce symptoms of diabetes-related nerve pain.

It is thought that biotin may have a synergistic effect with chromium. Placebo-controlled trials investigating the effects of taking 600 micrograms of chromium (as chromium picolinate) plus 2 mg of biotin per day have found this combination improves blood glucose control and triglyceride and other lipid levels; however, it is worth noting these trials were funded by the manufacturer of the chromium/biotin supplement they used.

1 Star
Neuropathy
Refer to label instructions
There is anecdotal evidence that high-dose biotin may reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.
Researchers reported three cases of diabetic neuropathy in which high-dose biotin for four to eight weeks was effective for reducing symptoms, and biotin was continued safely for one to two years.
1 Star
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Refer to label instructions
Biotin injections either for the infant or the nursing mother may be an effective treatment for cradle cap.

Preliminary studies have found that injecting either the infant or the nursing mother with may be an effective treatment for cradle cap. Studies of oral biotin have yielded mixed results in infants. Older preliminary studies and case reports suggest that 4 mg per day of oral biotin might be sufficient for mild cases of cradle cap, but 10 mg per day was required for more severe cases. Two more recent, controlled trials found that oral biotin (4 or 5 mg per day) produced no benefit. Thus, the scientific support for using oral biotin to treat cradle cap is weak. The role of biotin in adult seborrheic dermatitis has not been studied.

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