Biotin is one of the new kids on the block on vitamin counters everywhere. Touted as a must-have supplement by the likes of Kylie Jenner and credited with being able to restore, well… just about everything cosmetic. We take a closer look.
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin. A deficiency is extremely rare but the symptoms, when it does occur, can be pretty unpleasant. They include red rashes on the skin, dry eyes, brittle hair, fatigue, and insomnia. It is found in foods, in small amounts, like eggs milk and bananas. As a supplement, it is sold to improve brittle nails, mucous membranes, skin, hair, and even nerve damage.
Given that list of symptoms, it would seem an easy sell for health food shops to convince us to invest in a regular supply. If its availability is anything to go by then it would seem they are right. That is backed up by the number of articles we have seen touting its virtues across the web over recent months. And of course, there is the world’s youngest “self-made” billionaire, Kylie Jenner, regularly touting the stuff on her Instagram pages.
Note of Caution
Little wonder then that Biotin has become the success story it has. Seemingly good reasons to take it and being pimped by celebrities and health food stores will usually have that impact. When it comes to side-effects these do not seem to get a mention, maybe there aren’t any? It is a water soluble vitamin and so is easily excreted, in the normal manner. That said, there is most definitely a facet of Biotin that make it a foe when it comes to taking it regularly in some circumstances…
A lack of evidence for exactly how long Biotin stays in the system means it is necessary to be aware of its potential to interfere with important medical testing. Check the label on pretty much any supplement aimed at hair, skin, or nails, and you will see that they have something in common. They all carry the threat of interfering with lab results for medical tests, particularly on thryoid and hormone levels. They have the potential to lead to bogus results and misdiagnosis. For example, in the test for cardiac troponin levels, which is used to diagnose heart attacks.
HIS Hair Clinic
It would appear that adding Biotin to your supplement routine is, in most cases, harmless. While a case can be made for why they might improve your situation in regard to hair skin and nail condition there is no hard evidence to support it, and the threat of altering the outcome of important medical tests should be remembered at all times. If you are taking Biotin and have an upcoming test then consult with your doctor, who will most likely to tell you to stop taking the tablets a few days before the test.
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