According to WebMD, biotin is a B vitamin found in multiple foods, and people utilize it in supplement form as well.
Biotin promotes healthy skin and helps the nervous system, digestive system, and metabolism to function properly, as reported by WebMD.
This vitamin offers a variety of benefits and can improve both health and physical appearance when taken in the form of a supplement.
Biotin and Brittle Nails
Biotin is well-known for its ability to improve the appearance of brittle nails, and the research supports its effectiveness in this area.
Researchers for a 2017 edition of the Journal of Dermatological Treatment analyzed the results of multiple studies concerned with the relationship between biotin and the appearance of nails.(1)
They found that the research shows that biotin supplementation mends brittle nails by increasing firmness and thickness of the nails.
Reduced Blood Sugar with Biotin
Biotin supplementation could reduce blood sugar levels among individuals with diabetes.
A 2013 study published in the Oman Medical Journal found that three months of biotin supplementation significantly reduced average blood sugar levels among a group of participants diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.(2)
A 2006 study in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics found that a combination of biotin and chromium was also effective in reducing blood sugar levels among patients with type 2 diabetes.(3)
When combined with usual diabetes medications, biotin can help to keep blood sugar levels within a healthier range.
Hair Growth with Biotin
Individuals who are struggling with hair loss can expect improvement with biotin supplementation.
Researchers for a 2017 edition of the journal Skin Appendage Disorders reviewed the results of 18 different studies and found that these studies showed that biotin supplementation improved hair growth among individuals with clinical conditions related to hair loss.(4)
Instead of undergoing expensive medical treatments, those who are suffering from thinning hair can supplement with biotin to improve their physical appearance.
Lower Triglycerides with Biotin
Supplementation with biotin can reduce levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
A 2006 study in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy found that four weeks of biotin supplementation reduced triglyceride levels among both diabetic and non-diabetic study participants.(5)
Biotin could, therefore, be used in place of expensive prescription medications to lower triglyceride levels.
Biotin for Treatment of Nerve Pain
Biotin is widely-used in the treatment of neuropathy, or nerve pain, among individuals with diabetes.
Early research found that biotin was an effective remedy for neuropathy.
In 1990, scientists conducting a study for Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy found that after one to two months of supplementation, biotin significantly improved symptoms of neuropathy among a group of patients with diabetes.(6)
They recommended that medical professionals utilize biotin in the treatment of individuals with diabetes to preclude the development of nerve pain.
In conclusion
The aforementioned research suggests that biotin has a variety of benefits for both physical health and appearance.
Supplementation with biotin may be a simple, cost-effective method for treating a variety of ailments, ranging from severe nerve pain to brittle nails.
Resources
(1)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2017.1395799
(2)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679599/
(3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17109595
(4)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28879195
(5)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16677798
(6)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2085665
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