Can Biotin Help Diabetics Control Blood Sugar?

July 26, 2021

Can Biotin Help Diabetics Control Blood Sugar?

Biotin-What it is

There are a total of eight B vitamins, and Biotin is one of them. We also know of it as vitamin H or B-7. We see an H in one of its alternative references because, in the German language, H stands for Haut or Haar, meaning skin and hair.

The reason why Biotin is a standard part of our healthcare regimes now is that it is water-soluble. Our bodies cannot store the water-soluble vitamins; hence we need to absorb the essential element from our diets.

We rely on Biotin for several necessary functions, including carboxylases and enzymes. You will find these two elements playing a significant role in two of our essential metabolic processes. These include the production of fatty acids and glucose.

Now let’s take a look at the role Biotin plays in supporting diabetic patients.

Biotin in the Use of Diabetes Management

So far, Biotin has been a source of significant interest to investigative medical experts in the use of Biotin in diabetes management. Many encouraging results have come forth, and people are hopeful that they could help with this substance for their condition.

But what does the scientific evidence tell us? Let’s take a look at the details below:

Deficiency Management

The “Molecular Genetics and Metabolism” was published in a journal back in 2011. The study discovered that a lack of Biotin in the body could hamper cholesterol and glucose regulation.

In the animal and tissue culture study, the results proved that lacking Biotin can cause reduced energy and also launch the stress response mechanisms. Moreover, the study noted that biotin deficiency also negatively impacted the production of fats and glucose control.

Another fact that came to light was that a shortage of Biotin also increases fatty acid oxidation and glucose production. However, despite the indisputable evidence, one can still not emphatically state that Biotin has a definitive impact on diabetic patients and their blood sugar control. This topic warrants further research to make conclusive statements.

Glucose Regulation

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2004. They stated that Biotin affects blood sugar levels, while the study found it to be lower in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study included a group of participants that consumed six micro-moles per deciliter of vitamin B-7, Biotin. They took it consecutively for twenty-eight days, which caused several enzymes to increase their activity. The final result also proved a regulation of the blood sugar in both non-diabetic and diabetic participants.

However, the results did not produce any significant changes in the cholesterol, triglycerides or insulin, and glucose in both the groups from Biotin.

A Combined Therapy

Diabetics’ technology and therapeutics issued a journal in December 2006. The journal featured results of a study that featured a group of participants that took two-milligram doses of Biotin daily. The study also combined this therapy with six hundred micrograms of chromium picolinate daily for four straight weeks.

The results showed a noticeable improvement in the glucose tolerance of all forty-three participants. Furthermore, the study was also able to prove that the combined therapy reduced the fructose and triglyceride levels. Fructose is a sugar type that fruits contain.

This sugar type is noteworthy for its implication in elevated cholesterol and insulin resistance. The investigative medical team noted no side effects and that participants should have incredible tolerance of the supplement.

This study proves that a combination of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation can be successful in helping diabetic patients. With this combination therapy, they can likely manage the lipids and blood sugar levels.

Economic Relief for Diabetic Patients

Biotin supplementation in combination with chromium picolinate can also be economically relieving for diabetic patients. The studies have proved that combination therapy of these supplements can significantly decrease healthcare costs for diabetic patients.

Type 2 diabetic patients trying to control their blood sugar can significantly benefit from this. A journal named “Disease Management” launched in August 2005, which talked about Diachrome, a supplement.

The study discussed how the said supplement could regulate the Hba1c levels for those diabetic patients struggling to manage the disease. For those who are not aware, Hba1c is a measure of blood sugar levels.

Research proved that supplements with biotin inclusion could add to the benefits of medications for managing diabetes.

Let’s look at some of the other health benefits of Biotin:

Macronutrients Breakdown

One of the primary benefits of Biotin is how it helps break down our food into energy for the body. While breaking down several kinds of proteins, fats, and carbs, the substance also supports several enzymes in our bodies.

Here is a list of precisely what biotin targets

Amino acids- Biotin contains enzymes that break down amino acids in our bodies. Biotin involves several kinds of amino acids and their metabolism, including leucine.
Synthesis of fatty acids- Biotin also supports many of the enzymes into activating essential reactions. These reactions are crucial for producing necessary fatty acids in our bodies.
Gluconeogenesis- this process includes synthesizing glucose from a variety of sources. These include biotin-included enzymes and amino acids.

Blood Sugar Control

Yes, Biotin does help type-2 diabetic patients in controlling their blood sugar levels. This diabetes type is a condition that features insulin function impairment and alarmingly high levels of blood sugar. Like we discussed at length above, a lack of Biotin in the body can disrupt blood sugar.

Biotin shortage can also disrupt glucose regulation. The numbers of studies that have produced evidence thus far tell us that a combination of biotin and chromium picolinate supplementation could reduce resistance to insulin.

So far, the results show promises that combining chromium picolinate and biotin therapy could help manage type-2 diabetes. However, the scientific world is striving to gather more evidence on this subject to understand the benefits of Biotin for diabetes management fully.

Supports Pregnancy

Biotin has also proved its benefits for lactating or expectant mothers. We do commonly see a deficiency of Biotin during pregnancy. However, symptomatic biotin deficiency is still a rare thing. The stats prove that almost fifty percent of pregnant women have a mild biotin deficiency.

According to medical experts, pregnant women commonly have this deficiency because their bodies break vitamins down quicker due to their condition. In such situations, it is necessary to give pregnant women more biotin intake, either through supplements or their diet, to meet the deficiency.

Hair and Nail Health Improvement

Biotin deficiency often causes cracked and brittle nails. Since nails are soft and sensitive, increasing biotin intake through supplements can cure the nails and improve their health for good.

Similarly, Biotin can also have a pretty positive impact on the health and quality of our hair. When your body lacks sufficient biotin levels, you will find frequent hair loss and weaker hair. On the contrary, an adequate amount of Biotin in your body will ensure your hair remains healthy and robust.

Supports MS Treatment

Many people are victims of the autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis. This condition has a damaging impact on the eyes, spinal cord, and brain because it affects the protective layer around the nerve fibers.

Myelin is the protective layer, and healthy amounts of Biotin can result in active production of it. Scientific research has proved that M.S. sufferers can benefit if they consume nearly 300 milligrams of Biotin daily.

At the very least, studies have proved that biotin supplementation can reverse the progression of the M.S. disease. Moreover, it can also decrease the likelihood of chronic disability.

Final Thoughts

Thus far, medical research has uncovered that a combination of Biotin and chromium picolinate can be successful in blood sugar management. Studies have proved that this combination therapy of the two supplements is especially beneficial for type-2 diabetes.

While research on this topic is still underway, the medical world is hopeful that eventually, there will be conclusive evidence on biotin benefits for diabetes. In addition to regulating blood sugar level management, Biotin also shows promises of supporting hair nail and skin health.