BIOTIN SUPPLEMENTS: DURATION, TIMING, SIDE EFFECTS AND EFFECT ON THYROID AND WEIGHT

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble B vitamin that plays an important role in metabolism and in maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. Due to its health benefits, biotin is gaining popularity as a dietary supplement. In this blog article, we'll highlight some common questions about taking biotin, including how long to take it, the best time to take it, possible side effects, and how it affects the thyroid and weight.

1. How long can you take biotin? Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is not stored by the body and excess biotin is usually excreted in the urine. Therefore, long-term use of biotin is usually safe. There is no set maximum duration for taking biotin, and many people take it continuously as part of their daily supplementation. However, it is recommended not to exceed the recommended daily dose to avoid possible side effects.
2. When should I take biotin? Biotin can be taken at any time of the day because it is water soluble and does not require special ingestion with food. However, some people prefer to take biotin with a meal to reduce possible stomach discomfort. On the other hand, it is recommended not to take biotin at the same time as consuming coffee or tea, as this may interfere with the absorption of the vitamin.
   
   
3. Is biotin carcinogenic? To date, there is no credible scientific evidence that biotin is carcinogenic. On the contrary, biotin is an important nutrient for the maintenance of skin, hair and nails and occurs naturally in a variety of foods. Nevertheless, it is important not to exceed the recommended daily dose, as excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals can have undesirable effects.
4. Side effects: In general, biotin is well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. However, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to biotin and develop symptoms such as skin rash, itching, or difficulty breathing. If such reactions occur, the use of biotin should be stopped immediately and a doctor should be consulted.
5. Biotin and the thyroid: Biotin may affect the results of thyroid tests and lead to false results. Therefore, individuals who are taking thyroid medication or have thyroid problems should discuss taking biotin with their physician and may want to consider temporarily discontinuing biotin before thyroid tests.
6. Weight gain: There is no scientific evidence to suggest that biotin causes weight gain. Biotin is not a hormone or fat burner, but a nutrient involved in metabolism. If weight gain occurs, it could be caused by other factors such as caloric intake, lifestyle, or hormones.

Conclusion:

Biotin is an important vitamin that provides a variety of health benefits and is usually safe to take as a dietary supplement. It can be taken at any time of day, and side effects are rare. However, individuals with thyroid problems should discuss biotin intake with their physician prior to thyroid tests. For a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, it is important that biotin is not considered a substitute for a balanced diet, but rather a supplement to it. If you are unsure or have concerns about taking biotin, it is advisable to consult a physician for individualized recommendations.