Role of Biotin in Prenatal Health or During Pregnancy
- Pushpanjali
- May 2
- 5 min read
Many nutrients are required throughout pregnancy to maintain both the mother's and baby's health and well-being. While you may know biotin for its role in promoting healthy hair and nails, this B vitamin can do so much more. Biotin is one of the necessary nutrients for every mom-to-be.
Pregnancy is a critical phase in a woman’s life that demands increased attention to nutrition, as the developing fetus relies entirely on the mother for nutrients essential for growth and development. Among the variety of vitamins and minerals necessary during pregnancy, biotin plays a crucial role that stays unseen.
So the common questions that arise are what is biotin, what are the benefits of biotin during pregnancy, can you take biotin while pregnant, and where can you find it? No worries! You are going to find out here in this article.
Role of biotin
Biotin belongs to the B-complex family of vitamins. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble vitamin that supports many essential physiological processes, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, and helps regulate genes and provide structure to the DNA. Its role in maintaining maternal health and promoting fetal development has garnered growing interest recently.
It acts as a coenzyme for five carboxylases—enzymes critical in energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and gluconeogenesis. Biotin also helps mothers in maintaining the health of their skin, hair, nails, and eyes.
The human body does not synthesize biotin on its own; therefore, it is obtained through diet, supplementation, and efficient recycling of biotin in the body. Dietary sources of biotin include cooked eggs, nuts, seeds, fish, meat, dairy, and certain vegetables like sweet potatoes and spinach. Additionally, some biotin is produced by gut bacteria, but this may not be enough, especially during pregnancy when demand increases.
Demand for biotin during pregnancy
Pregnancy causes a variety of physiological changes in a woman's body, including hormonal alterations and increased metabolic needs.These changes can elevate the body's requirement for many nutrients, including biotin. Studies have shown that biotin deficiency is relatively common during pregnancy, even when dietary intake appears adequate.
One reason for this is an increase in biotin catabolism. During pregnancy, the rate at which biotin is broken down and excreted increases, leading to a state of functional biotin deficiency. Although severe biotin deficiency is rare, marginal deficiency can still have adverse effects, especially during fetal development.
Role in maternity
Biotin supports both mother and child health in several important ways during pregnancy:
1. Energy giver
Biotin helps convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy. Because of the increased energy needs during pregnancy, weariness is common. Sufficient levels of biotin promote energy production and metabolism, which may lessen fatigue.
2. Skin and hair
Many pregnant women experience skin issues such as rashes, dryness, and hair thinning due to hormonal changes. Biotin plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, and supplementation may alleviate some of these issues, though evidence is mixed and individualized.
3. Nervous system support
Biotin is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system for both mother and child. As the maternal nervous system adjusts to accommodate pregnancy and prepare for delivery, biotin helps maintain cognitive function and emotional health.
Though folic acid is most often highlighted for neural tube development, biotin also plays a supporting role in the development of the fetal nervous system. In animal studies, biotin deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with fetal malformations, though human data are more limited.
4. Cell growth and development
Biotin supports cell proliferation and the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are critical during early embryonic development. Rapid cell division and differentiation during pregnancy require robust nutrient support, and biotin contributes to these fundamental processes.
5. Immunity and enzyme activity
As a coenzyme for carboxylases, biotin supports metabolic reactions that are vital for fetal tissue growth and development. These enzymes help produce fatty acids, essential for fetal brain development and immune system function.
Symptoms of biotin deficiency
Biotin deficiency in pregnant women can appear as hair loss, scaly skin rashes, and brittle nails, and neurological symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and even mental confusion can also occur. Severe deficiency may affect fetal development.
Certain factors can make you more prone to biotin deficiency, including:
Pregnancy. Due to the increased need for this vitamin for fetal growth and development, pregnancy inherently results in biotin deficit.
Breastfeeding. It's crucial to remember that you could continue be at risk for biotin deficiency during nursing, even after giving birth.
Smoking. This causes biotin to deteriorate.
Overconsumption of egg whites. A protein called avidin, which is found in egg whites, binds to biotin and stops it from being absorbed by the body. This might result in a biotin shortage. During pregnancy, take care not to consume excessive amounts of egg whites. Egg whites are found in products like mayonnaise and caesar dressing.
Biotin-rich food for pregnant woman
Pregnancy-related health benefits for both you and your unborn child can be achieved by eating foods high in biotin. The foods listed below are excellent sources of biotin:
Egg Yolks
Organ Meats
Fish, such as Salmon
Dairy Products such as Eggs and Milk
Nuts and seeds include pecans, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
Vegetables include sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, avocados, cauliflower, mushrooms, Swiss chard, and carrots.
Fruit, including raspberries and bananas
Legumes, including black-eyed peas and soybeans.
Is biotin supplementation necessary?
Prenatal vitamins often contain a range of B vitamins, including a small amount of biotin. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for biotin during pregnancy is about 30 micrograms per day, which is typically achievable through diet. However, because biotin excretion increases during pregnancy, some researchers suggest that a slightly higher intake may be beneficial.
Supplementation may be considered in cases where dietary intake is insufficient or symptoms of deficiency appear. However, high-dose biotin supplements should be avoided or taken with doctor’s advice. While biotin toxicity is rare due to its water-soluble nature (excess is excreted in urine), high doses can interfere with laboratory tests, particularly thyroid function tests and certain hormone assays, leading to inaccurate results.
Recent studies suggest that biotin deficiency during pregnancy may be more common than previously thought.
Scientists are now investigating:
Whether increasing biotin intake during pregnancy can improve birth outcomes.
The role of biotin in gene expression related to fetal development
Potential therapeutic uses of biotin in gestational conditions such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
Biotin is a crucial but often overlooked nutrient during pregnancy. While severe deficiency is rare, functional insufficiency is relatively common due to increased metabolic demands and excretion rates during gestation. Ensuring adequate biotin intake supports maternal health, helps regulate metabolism, and promotes optimal fetal development, particularly in early stages when cell growth is most rapid.
Although most women can meet their biotin needs through a balanced diet and prenatal vitamins, awareness of the signs of deficiency and the potential need for supplementation in specific cases is essential. As research continues to explore biotin’s broader implications for prenatal health, healthcare providers and pregnant women alike should consider its role in fostering a healthy pregnancy and a nourished baby.
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