Biotin
Biotin Supplements at Walgreens
Biotin is an important B vitamin also known as vitamin B7. Biotin helps the body break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins to turn them into energy. Biotin can be found in certain foods, such as eggs, milk, and bananas. It is also available as a supplement , and biotin supplements can be found in Walgreens stores or online.
What is biotin?
Biotin is another name for vitamin B7. It’s a necessary vitamin for turning the food you eat into energy. As a water-soluble vitamin, biotin can dissolve in water and is not stored in the body long-term, but instead needs to be consumed regularly for nutritional benefit. Biotin is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, cooked eggs, salmon, and avocado. Biotin deficiency is rare in the United States, but symptoms of deficiency can include thinning hair, brittle nails, and scaly skin on regions of the face. Biotin supplements are effective for treating biotin deficiency.
What is biotin good for?
Biotin plays an important role in helping the body function properly. It is needed for the formation of fatty acids and glucose that are used as fuel, and it also helps to regulate certain cell and gene activity. Biotin is often promoted as a treatment for improving hair and nail health, but so far there is not enough research to support these benefits. Biotin supplements are good for treating biotin deficiency when necessary.
How much biotin should I take?
Because it is rare to be deficient in biotin, there is no set recommended dietary allowance (RDA). However, it is generally recommended for adolescents and adults to consume about 30 to 100 micrograms (mcg) per day. Infants and children need less, usually between 10 to 30 mcg daily. People who are breastfeeding should aim to consume at least 35 mcg each day. Most people get enough biotin from the foods they eat, but supplements can provide additional biotin for those who need it. Certain medications can affect biotin levels, so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before you start taking biotin or other supplements.
Can you take too much biotin?
Biotin has not been found to be harmful in large doses. It is likely safe to take in doses up to 300 milligrams (mg) daily, although it’s usually taken in much smaller doses. Very high doses of biotin may interfere with lab results for some tests, so tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking biotin supplements.
Is biotin good for hair?
There is currently very limited evidence to suggest that biotin improves hair health. For rare cases of biotin deficiency, those with thin hair may experience improvement through biotin supplementation. For those already consuming enough biotin, more research is needed to determine if biotin supplements can help promote healthy hair.
What does biotin do for your nails?
More research is needed to determine if biotin is good for nail health. Some small studies suggest that those with thin and brittle nails may experience stronger nails from high doses of biotin, but this evidence is limited. Speak with your healthcare provider if you would like to learn more about taking biotin for nail health.
What does biotin do for your skin?
Research is ongoing to study the potential benefits of biotin on skin health, but current evidence does not suggest that biotin improves skin health or conditions such as acne or eczema . While biotin deficiency can cause skin problems such as rashes and scaly skin, most people get enough biotin and are not experiencing deficiency. Your healthcare provider can help you decide the best course of action if you are looking to improve the health of your skin.
How long does it take for biotin to work?
Most people get enough biotin from the food they eat, so biotin is doing its job on a daily basis. People who are deficient in biotin can usually resolve the issue by consuming more foods that contain biotin or by taking a biotin supplement as recommended by their healthcare provider. People with certain conditions, such as those who lack an enzyme called biotinidase, may need to take biotin supplements long-term. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if biotin supplements are right for you.
What form does biotin come in?
Biotin comes primarily from the foods we eat, but it’s also available in supplement form. Options include biotin pills, tablets, softgels, and gummies in a variety of doses. All of these forms of biotin supplements are available for purchase in Walgreens stores and online.
What are symptoms of biotin deficiency?
Biotin deficiency can cause symptoms such as thinning hair and loss of body hair, rashes on the face, brittle nails, and even seizures. While biotin deficiency is not common, it’s important to get enough of this vitamin to keep your body healthy. Consuming a healthy diet with a variety of nutrients, such as those found in vegetables, certain meats and fortified foods, can prevent biotin deficiency. Speak with your healthcare provider if you are concerned about biotin deficiency.
Sources
- “Biotin – vitamin B7,” Harvard Health. Web. 18 Jan 2022. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/biotin-vitamin-b7/
- “Biotin,” National Institutes of Health. Web. 18 Jan 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/
- “Biotin – oral route,” Mayo Clinic. Web. 18 Jan 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/biotin-oral-route/description/drg-20062359
- “Biotin,” Medline Plus. Web. 18 Jan 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/313.html
- “Biotin deficiency,” StatPearls. Web. 18 Jan 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547751/