Biotin Usage

All the proposed uses of biotin discussed here are speculative, based on highly incomplete evidence.

Preliminary research suggests that supplemental biotin might help reduce blood sugar levels in people with either type 1 (childhood onset) or type 2 (adult onset) diabetes , ¹ and possibly reduce the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy . ² However, no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have been reported on these potential uses of biotin. (For why double-blind trials are so important, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies? ) Two double-blind studies have found benefit for diabetes with a mixture of biotin and chromium ³ ; however, it is not clear how much the biotin in this combination contributed.

Very weak evidence, too weak to rely upon at all, has been used to support that theory that biotin supplements are helpful for brittle nails . ⁴ On the basis of virtually no evidence at all, biotin has been proposed for treating cradle cap in infants.

There are indirect indications that individuals taking antiseizure medications might benefit from biotin supplementation at nutritional doses. ⁵ However, it has been suggested that biotin should be taken at least 2 hours before or after the medication dose, to avoid potential interference with the medication's absorption. In addition, excessive biotin supplementation (above nutritional needs) should be avoided, because it might possibly interfere with seizure control. Note:All these proposed interactions are quite speculative, and even if they do exist, may not be important enough to make a difference in real life.