Doctors reveal 6 surprising advantages of taking a biotin supplement
From hair growth to improving blood sugar, this is what this vitamin can do for you.
Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7, is a water -soluble nutrient that helps transform food into energy. It can be found in salmon, eggs, nuts, soy, bananas, liver, mushrooms, pork chops, sweet potatoes, etc. It's a important vitamin Because it helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates and amino acids, the constituent elements of proteins, which are essential to repair the body. For this reason, the benefits for the health of biotin are more diversified than you think, according to doctors, which is why some people turn to biotin supplements.
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The background on the biotin:
Since biotin is in a variety of food, it is rare to have a deficiency, especially with a well -balanced diet; However, certain long -term conditions such as Crohn's disease make the absorption of nutrients difficult, as well as taking antiserze drugs or antibiotics for a long time. Symptoms of a deficiency Include changes in the skin, hair and nails, cracking in the mouth, rashes, dry eyes, fatigue and loss of appetite.
In these cases, some people take a biotin supplement, but doctors advise to speak to your doctor.
"The vitamins should be launched after having discussed it with your health professionals, because taking vitamins by themselves or in the presence of other health problems could exacerbate health problems or discover new conditions," Tomi Mitchell , MD, family doctor certified by the board of directors with Holistic well-being strategies .
However, with the approval of your doctor, you can benefit from the advantages of the following biotin.
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1 Biotin helps hair and nails to push.
Eat a healthy diet loaded with protein, healthy fat , vitamins A, E and D, iron and carbohydrates are particularly important for shiny and thick hair and strong nails.
If you do not get enough nutrients, you may be tempted to spend large dollars in costly shampoos and oils, hoping for a quick solution. However, many believe that biotin changes the game to improve fragile nails and the thickness of the hair because it "promotes the production of natural oils in the scalp, which maintains healthy hair", notes Mitchell.
However, according to Cleveland clinic , research is not final as to whether biotin helps hair growth, although it is used to help treat alopecia in hair loss condition.
"In addition, there are a lot of shampoos made with biotin, and they can help with Regeneration of hair follicles , " Best life noted previously.
2 Biotin can stabilize blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Global, 830 million people Fight diabetes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and more health problems can occur if diabetes is not managed, and it is currently the eighth cause of death.
There are many types of diabetes, but those with type 1, a condition where the pancreas does not make enough insulin, could see the relief of biotin, as this could help reduce blood sugar.
"A small study Involved people with type 1 diabetes, aged 5 to 25, with poorly controlled blood sugar, "said Mitchell." Participants took 40 mcg of biotin per day alongside insulin or simply used insulin. After three months, the biotin group showed lower blood sugar than those that have not completed with biotin, indicating a potential biotin advantage in diabetes management. »»
Biotin could also help people with type 2 diabetes, when the body cannot properly treat sugar in the bloodstream, for its potential to reduce blood sugar and reduce high cholesterol.
"A big 2022 Meta-analysis … Has found that biotin supplementation can reduce the total rate of cholesterol and cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, who run a higher risk of heart disease, ” Samantha Cassetty , MS, RD, nutrition and well-being expert and co-author of Sugar shock .
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3 Biotin could help with prenatal care.
Appropriate prenatal care can help identify early problems and ensure fluid delivery. Eating a balanced diet filled with vitamins and nutrients, including biotin, is also vital during pregnancy, as it is important for embryonic growth.
"Biotin draws more attention to prenatal care", shares Bess Shepherd , RDN, CDN, founder of Nutrition by Bess . "A few studies Show that a third of pregnant women are low in biotin. Although the sources are not clear about the reason why this is, the complement with biotin can be beneficial in the meantime. »»
Before taking biotin during pregnancy, consult your doctor.
4 Biotin could protect against Parkinson's disease.
A study published last year in the journal Jama Network Open explored the link between intestinal health and Parkinson . Researchers found that people with gastrointestinal mucous lesions had a chance to develop a 76% higher disease, Best life reported at the time.
A distinct study published in the journal NPJ Parkinson's disease concluded that biotin deficiency was common in Parkinson patients, probably because vitamin has anti-inflammatory properties, in particular with regard to the intestine.
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5 Biotin can reduce muscle cramps in patients with dialysis.
Dialysis is a vital treatment for people with kidney failure that involves helping the body eliminate waste and blood fluids when the kidneys are too weak and unable to do so. Muscle cramps are a common side effect of treatment due to loss of liquid. To help relieve discomfort, some patients take biotin supplements.
Mitchell points to a 2012 study This revealed that taking 1 mg of biotin considerably reduced cramps during and after dialysis for the majority of participants.
6 Biotin supports the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Sclerosis in plates (MS) is an incurable disorder of the chronic central nervous system which damages the protective myelin sheath surrounding the nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord and eyes. The SP affects everyone differently. Some people have only light symptoms, while others may lose the ability to see, write, speak or walk.
However, taking a biotin supplement can help fatigue and pain associated with MS.
"This supplementation shows a potential in the inversion of the progression of the disease and the reduction of chronic disability, with a promising additional treatment for the MS," explains Mitchell. "" Research Indicates that people with SEP respond positively to the daily doses of biotin up to 300 mg. »»
Cassetty also points to Clinical trials What she says is "the research stallion", which shows that nearly 900 people with MP have benefited from a high-dose biotin supplement.
However, it warns that "high -dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain laboratory tests, and so far, studies I was mixed, so I would not exhaust myself in the alley of the supplement without first speaking to your doctor. ""
This advice is true for anyone who plans to take a new supplement: always talk to your health care provider first to make sure you avoid potential interactions between other supplements and drugs.