Biotin is a B vitamin found in food. It helps the body convert food into energy and plays many other important roles in health.
Biotin boosts the health of the hair and nails, supports a healthy pregnancy, and helps manage blood sugar levels.
Biotin is one of eight B vitamins. It is also known as vitamin B-7 or vitamin H, in which case the H stands for “Haar und Haut,” the German words for “hair and skin.”
Biotin is water-soluble. The body does not store water-soluble vitamins, so people need to absorb them from their diets.
Biotin is necessary for the function of several enzymes known as carboxylases. These are part of important metabolic processes, such as the production of glucose and fatty acids.
Benefits and function
Biotin plays a number of important roles in the body, including:
* Breaking down macronutrients
Biotin helps the body convert food into energy — it supports a number of enzymes involved in the breakdown of carbs, fats, and proteins.
* Supporting nail health
Brittle nails are fragile and easily become split or cracked. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle nails, biotin improve the strength of nails.
* Boosting hair health
Biotin play an important role in the health of the skin and hair. Biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss, which indicates that the vitamin is involved in keeping the hair healthy.
* Supporting pregnancy and breastfeeding
Biotin is very important for women who are pregnant or lactating.
* Reducing blood sugar in people with diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels and impaired insulin function.
A biotin deficiency disrupt blood sugar, or glucose, regulation.
* Boosting skin health
Biotin play a great role in maintaining healthy skin. However, people with biotin deficiencies can experience skin problems, including red, scaly rashes.
* Supporting MS treatment
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. It damages the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and eyes.
This protective covering is called myelin, and biotin play an important role in producing it.
