Nutrition Research Brief- Sample

Research brief: Biotin Nutrition

Summary

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 is a member of the B complex group of vitamins that has a major contribution in the metabolism of food into energy. Good sources of biotin are foods such as eggs, almonds, sweet potatoes, oats and carrots (Hamid, 2012). The B complex plays a major role in nutrition and health support. Biotin helps in regulation and balance of blood sugar, promotion of better skin health, strong cardiovascular system, promotion of embryonic growth among pregnant women (Hamid, 2012). In addition to that, biotin plays an important role in maintenance of body tissues such muscle tissues and tissues of the nervous system. Nutritionists also state that vitamin B7 has an overall benefit of optimizing the body health. For example, it synthesizes glucose to the amount that is most appropriate in provision of energy. Apart from dietary sources, biotin is also available in form of nutrient supplements.

Nutritionists and biochemical experts have conducted research studies that provide wide information on the effects of biotin supplements in degradation of various body processes. The research shows that excess vitamin B7 causes damage of certain body tissues such as the liver and kidney. Other experts say that biotin causes hormonal imbalances when consumed in high proportions, which subsequently affects patients diagnosed with diseases which are brought by disruptions of hormone patterns. The paper will make a review of research conducted by Patel et al. who stated that biotin does not have any nutritional impact in the promotion of hair growth and nails growth, Barbesino who stated that biotin causes disruptions of hormone patterns especially in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Riverón-Negrete et al. who stated that high proportions of biotin supplements cause damages to the liver tissues and changes in biochemical compositions.

Statement of the Problem

Research indicates that overconsumption of pharmacological biotin supplements causes major effects such as liver damage & general tissue disruptions and biochemical abnormalities which interfere with several body hormones among certain patients. Other research studies indicate that biotin has no effect on hair growth among healthy people. Such problems necessitate the need for conducting research about the effects of vitamin B7 supplements when consumed in excess proportions.

Studies

Patel et al. made a study on the effects of biotin on the promotion of healthy hair and nails growth since it is a common hair growth supplement used in the cosmetic industry. The authors hypothesized that there are minimum cases of biotin deficiency reported by nutritionists. The assumption made was the vitamin has less effect on hair and nail growth since scientific evidence has not proved the theory (Patel et al., 2017). In the study, Patel et al. utilized initial reports, clinical trials and other reported literature studies to assess the outcome of biotin supplementation among 18 recommended patients. All the 18 patients who had poor hair and nails growth reported a clinical improvement after using the supplement for 3 months (Patel et al., 2017). Among the 18 patients, 3 individuals had brittle nail syndrome. They also stated an improvement in nails strength after using the supplement for a prolonged period. The authors support the clinical improvements by stating the contribution of biotin in protein synthesis where keratin is produced and subsequently contributes to hair and nails growth (Patel et al., 2017). However, the author concludes that biotin does not have a significantly proven effect of hair growth in healthy individuals.

In a second study, Barbesino (2016) studied the interference of oral biotin doses in immunoassays of a few hormones. The conclusions of the study were derived from a case scenario of treatment of a man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. His condition involved an imbalance of thyroid, thyroglobulin and thyrotropin hormones which led to a secondary condition; Graves’ disease (Barbesino, 2016). The patient underwent medication and frequent examinations aimed at suppressing the hormonal imbalance levels. Later, an observation of persisting symptoms of Graves` disease was made. The patient admitted that he had been using biotin doses at high doses of up to 300mcg per day. After restriction of vitamin B7 dose usage, body examinations indicated normal hormonal patterns. After research, the author discussed the issue, stating that certain proteins in the hormones had a higher affinity to biotin. Consequently, blocking immune complexes were formed in the patient`s body (Barbesino, 2016). The antibody complexes acted as restrictive factors in the medication plans prescribed to the patient. The author concluded that biotin doses should be taken with certain restrictions on the daily recommended intakes. He also stated that patients with hormonal conditions and those undergoing blood tests should strictly avoid biotin supplements during the treatment period (Barbesino, 2016). He further made a recommendation, stating that pharmacists should inquire about the patient`s secondary conditions such as hormonal diseases before prescribing the supplements for medication.

Finally, Riverón-Negrete et al. conducted a research to prove on the effects of biotin supplements in damage of tissue structures. Riverón-Negrete et al. (2016) hypothesized that high biotin doses damage the liver toxicity markers and the hepatic morphology. In the study, normal mice were used to test the author`s hypothesis. Biotin supplements were fed to the mice and observations were made based on specified weekly periods. Normal mice which were not fed with biotin supplements were used for comparison of the tissue and morphological characteristics (Riverón-Negrete et al., 2016). The study results indicated the following; alteration of the portal triad, dilated sinusoids, increased vascularity and increased volumes of the bile conducts. Other observations that were made apart from the changes in liver physiognomies include; increased number of bi-nucleated hepatocytes and increased carbon tetrachloride levels. In the discussion, the authors stated that the effects of an altered liver structure and biochemical compositions are due to a reduced oxidative stress in the body, caused by high doses of biotin (Riverón-Negrete et al., 2016). A conclusion was made, stating that biotin supplements do not have a significant effect on the liver toxicity markers. They recommended further research about biotin toxicity since it was evident from the research that vitamin B7 alters the tissue morphology, biochemical compositions, and nuclei structure.

Conclusion

From the studies, it is evident that biotin supplements are associated with secondary biological and biochemical effects that should be considered before dosage. The study shows that vitamin B7 does not have an effect on hair growth on healthy people. Secondly, the B-complex vitamin has hormonal effects that should be considered in the medication of people diagnosed with Graves` disease. Finally, the vitamin has a significant outcome on the liver tissue structure and other biochemical compositions of the body. Nutritionists should conduct future research to determine the acceptable daily intakes of biotin supplements. However, vitamin B7 from normal foods such as eggs can be readily consumed, since there is no scientific evidence that proves its effect on the body based on the parameters that were discussed in this paper.