Overview:
Biotin (vitamin B7) is a micronutrient vital to energy production, nervous system health, and other bodily functions.
Found in a plethora of foods and available as a supplement, biotin is most well-known for strengthening hair and nails and combatting alopecia. Biotin is an essential nutrient. An essential nutrient is one that your body can’t produce or can’t produce enough of and needs to function correctly.
Biotin Deficiency:
Biotin deficiency is rare in the United States. When it happens, symptoms may include:
- Hair Thinning
- Hair Loss
- Brittle Nails
- Red, scaly rash, around eyes, nose and mouth
- Unusual facial fat distribution
- Skin infections
- Conjuctivitis
- Neurological Issues (Depression, tiredness or hallucinations)
- Decreased muscle tone
- Sluggishness
- Developmental Delay (Infants)
Uses For Biotin
Hair and Nail Health
Biotin is often touted as a hair loss treatment. Some proponents claim that biotin-containing products make your hair stronger and more luscious. However, science only supports biotin for hair growth if a confirmed biotin deficiency has caused your hair loss.
Biotin supplementation is sometimes used to treat brittle, worn-down nails. It is also used to treat nail conditions like trachyonychia, or rough nails, a condition that is associated with alopecia.
Clinical trials have found evidence that biotin supplementation can improve these conditions and your nails’ firmness, hardness, and thickness. However, these trials are small, and more research is needed.
Blood Sugar Control
Neuropathy
Hyperlipidemia