All about Biotin

Biotin is a B vitamin that works synergistically with pantothenic acid (also known as vitamin B5) in producing many crucial enzymes. Enzymes are responsible for speeding up vital chemical processes within our body. We normally obtain this vitamin from food sources such as liver, nuts, oatmeal, rice, and legumes, but therapeutic doses can be incorporated through supplementation.

Biotin is involved in the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also plays a crucial role in energy production, by facilitating the use of glucose, which is the body’s primary source of fuel. There is some evidence that it can help diabetics due to its ability to keep glucose (blood sugar) levels low.

If you want healthy hair, skin, and nails, biotin is an important vitamin. It will not prevent general hair loss, however, as is sometimes claimed, unless that hair loss is due to a deficiency of the vitamin. In other studies, it has been able to increase nail thickness by nearly 25% on average.

Other noted benefits include: alleviating fatigue, heartburns, and allergies.

There are no known adverse side effects.

Most experts advise taking at least 100 mcg per day, and up to 1,000 mcg of biotin if you are taking it for a specific purpose, such as healthy hair and nails.

Biotin’s importance is underrated since one doesn’t hear much about the crucial role of this vitamin. At the same time, this is a vitamin that is usually difficult to become deficient in, due to its prevalence in many foods.

However, its therapeutic benefits usually require a dosage level higher than we normally get from foods. Therefore, people interested in the possible benefits discussed above may wish to investigate dietary supplementation with biotin.

Total Balance, the nutritional supplement we use, contains biotin , along with too many other nutrients to mention here. See our What We Take in Supplements page for more info.