Biotin Deficiency: What You Need to Know
Biotin is essential for your well-being. It supports your neurological system and aids in the body's conversion of food into energy.
But what happens if you don't get enough biotin? How common is biotin deficiency and what are the symptoms and causes? In this blog post, we will respond to these queries.
What is biotin and where can you get it?
One of the eight vitamins in the B complex is biotin, commonly referred to as vitamin H or B-7. These vitamins are water-soluble, which means they dissolve in water and are not stored in your body.
You need to get them from your diet or supplements every day.
Biotin is found naturally in many foods, such as eggs, meat, fish, nuts, seeds, dairy products, legumes, mushrooms, cauliflower, bananas and avocados.
Biotin is also produced by the bacteria that live in your intestines. These bacteria, also known as the microbiome or gut flora, have many beneficial effects on your health. They help digest food, synthesize vitamins, regulate your immune system and protect you from harmful pathogens.
How common is biotin deficiency and who is at risk?
Biotin deficiency is very rare among healthy people who eat a varied diet. However, a few things can make you more susceptible to biotin deficiency. These consist of the following:
Genetic disorders
Some people are born with a condition called biotinidase deficiency (BTD), which affects their ability to use biotin from food or supplements. BTD is caused by a mutation in the gene that makes the enzyme biotinidase.
This enzyme is needed to release biotin from protein-bound forms and recycle it in the body. BTD can cause serious symptoms in infants and children, such as seizures, developmental delay, hair loss, skin rash and fungal infections.
BTD can be diagnosed by a blood test and treated with high doses of biotin supplements.
Medications: Some drugs can interfere with your body's absorption or metabolism of biotin. These include antibiotics, which can kill the good bacteria in your gut that make biotin.
Dietary factors: Consuming raw egg whites frequently could lead to a deficiency in biotin because they contain the protein avidin, which binds to biotin and prevents its absorption. Avidin is destroyed and made available for use when egg whites are cooked.
Medical conditions: Some diseases or disorders can affect your digestion or absorption of nutrients, including biotin. These include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, short bowel syndrome and gastric bypass surgery.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and lactating women have higher requirements for biotin because they need to support the growth and development of their babies.
What are the symptoms of biotin deficiency?
Biotin deficiency can cause various signs and symptoms that affect your skin, hair, nails and nervous system. These include:
Skin problems: Biotin deficiency can cause dry, scaly or red skin on your face or body.
Hair loss: Biotin deficiency can cause thinning or loss of hair on your scalp or eyebrows. You may also notice changes in the texture or color of your hair.
Nail problems: Biotin deficiency can cause brittle or splitting nails that are prone to breaking or peeling. You may also notice ridges or white spots on your nails.
Neurological problems: Biotin deficiency can affect your brain and nervous system, causing symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, mood swings, memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, muscle weakness or pain, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, or difficulty walking or coordinating movements.
How is biotin deficiency diagnosed and treated?
Consult your physician for an appropriate diagnosis and course of therapy if you think you may be suffering from a biotin deficiency. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, medications, diet and symptoms.
They may also order a blood test to measure the level of biotin in your blood. However, this test is not widely available and may be inaccurate.
The treatment for biotin deficiency depends on the cause and severity of your condition. In most cases, taking oral biotin supplements can correct the deficiency and improve your symptoms.
The dosage and duration of biotin supplementation will vary depending on your needs and treatment response.
In addition to taking biotin supplements, you may also need to make some changes in your diet and lifestyle to prevent biotin deficiency from recurring. These include:
- Eating a balanced diet: You should eat a variety of foods that provide adequate amounts of biotin and other nutrients. Some good sources of biotin are eggs (cooked), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, dairy products, legumes, mushrooms, cauliflower, bananas and avocados.
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking: You should limit or avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes as they can deplete your biotin levels and impair your absorption of nutrients.
- Managing your medical conditions: You should follow your doctor's advice on how to treat any underlying diseases or disorders that may affect your biotin status.
- Consulting your doctor before taking medications: You should inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or planning to take that may interact with biotin. These include antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs and isotretinoin.
- Taking prenatal vitamins if pregnant or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should take a prenatal vitamin that contains biotin and other essential nutrients for you and your baby. You should also eat a healthy diet that meets your increased needs for biotin and other vitamins.
Conclusion
If you have biotin deficiency or want to know more about it, you should talk to your doctor for advice. Please don't take your health for granted, as it may put your health at stake, resulting in biotin deficiency.
