Kaj je biotin?

Customer question:

What is biotin - is it a type of vitamin? Anonymous customer's question

Pharmacist's answer:

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble B vitamin. It plays a crucial role in many metabolic processes in the body.

Biotin is a coenzyme for several carboxylase enzymes involved in critical metabolic pathways. This includes fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and gluconeogenesis (formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids).

Biotin is often touted for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Biotin deficiency can cause symptoms such as brittle nails, hair loss, and dermatitis.

How much biotin should we consume per day?

Recommended daily intake may vary depending on age, gender, and stage of life. For adults over 19, including pregnant women, the adequate intake is set at 30 micrograms per day. For lactating women, it is slightly higher, namely 35 micrograms per day.

Can we have too much biotin in our body?

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that any excess is usually excreted in the urine, making it relatively low in toxicity even at high intake levels. For this reason, the risk of side effects due to excessive consumption of biotin with food is minimal.

However, when taken as a supplement, especially in high doses, possible excesses can occur. One of the main concerns with high biotin intake is its potential to interfere with specific laboratory tests. Biotin can distort the results of various tests, including:

• thyroid tests
• tests for cardiac troponin levels (used to diagnose heart attacks)
• hormone tests, such as tests for parathyroid hormone or luteinizing hormone

This disorder or interference can lead to a wrong diagnosis and, consequently, inadequate treatment.

Can biotin be used for stronger nails?

Yes, biotin is also often promoted as a supplement to strengthen nails.

In the past, interest in biotin's role in nail health was sparked by observations of biotin-deficient individuals. These individuals often had brittle and thin nails. The addition of biotin improved the health of their nails.

The exact mechanism by which biotin strengthens nails is not yet fully understood. However, biotin plays a vital role in the health of keratin, the protein in nails, hair, and skin. Improved keratin structure may be one-way biotin contributes to nail strength.

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