Biotin Needed During Pregnancy

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Have you ever considered taking any nutrition supplements during your pregnancy? And what if there is one single supplement which, if taken, can make a positive impact on your pregnancy? Well, we are talking about biotin here; whose presence can offer you many health benefits, and whose absence can cause some serious health issues. Would you like to know more? If yes, then please continue to read.

A developing fetus depends entirely on the mother for its nutrition, which is why expecting mothers are asked to follow a nutritious diet and pay special importance to specific dietary nutrients needed during the nine months. Biotin is one such important nutrient needed during pregnancy. Let's take a closer look at what biotin does, and find out more about some good ways to get more of it through foods.

Can You Take Biotin While Pregnant?

Biotin, also known as vitamin H, belongs to the B complex group of vitamins. B vitamins are necessary for the body to convert food into energy, and they also play several important functions that help maintain the overall health of the body. (1) Biotin during pregnancy can supplement the vitamin B deficiency.

A deficiency of this important vitamin can lead to the development of rashes, hair loss, hallucinations as well as depression. It is, therefore, important to keep up with the intake of this crucial vitamin, particularly during pregnancy. (2)

Why Is Biotin Needed During Pregnancy?

Biotin, just like other vitamins, is needed for the proper growth and development of the fetus. It was earlier believed that the deficiency of this vitamin is quite rare, but now, it has been found that pregnant women tend to be deficient in it.

In general, biotin deficiency tends to raise the risk of several health conditions and even birth defects during pregnancy, which is why, it is among the most crucial vitamins needed. (3)

Biotin Deficiency During Pregnancy

According to the Institute of Medicine, pregnant women must take in at least 30 mcg of biotin on a daily basis. (4) Just like iron and folic acid, biotin also makes for a crucial nutrient needed during pregnancy. In fact, a lot of women also tend to be deficient in this important vitamin during pregnancy because the body breaks down biotin more quickly during this period.

The Linus Pauling Institute and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition state that around 1/3rd to ½ of pregnant women are deficient in biotin, and this deficiency most commonly occurs during the late pregnancy. (5)

A deficiency of biotin is linked to several health problems including:

  • Poor nail and hair health
  • Increased risk of seborrheic dermatitis
  • Diabetes
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced appetite
  • Depression
  • Insomnia (6)

When it comes to pregnancy, biotin deficiency may also lead to birth defects. It has been found that a deficiency of this crucial vitamin may lead to birth defects in animals, particularly conditions such as skeletal deformities, cleft palate, cleft lip, etc. (7)

[ Read: Benefits Of Folic Acid In Pregnancy ]

Best Food Sources Of Biotin

Biotin and pregnancy go together for good health.The best way to ensure that you are not deficient in biotin during your pregnancy is to add more of biotin-rich foods to your diet. Some common foods that are rich in this vitamin include:

  • Grains and nuts:Whole grain products and nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds and peanuts turn out to be good sources of biotin.
  • Eggs and dairy products:Egg yolks tend to have the highest concentration of biotin. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, etc also contain impressive amounts of this vitamin, and can be easily included in the diet. (8)
  • Fruits and veggies:Many fresh fruits and vegetables turn out to be excellent sources of biotin. Cauliflower, avocadoes, mushrooms, raspberries, carrots, swiss chard, onions, cucumbers, etc. contain substantial amounts of biotin.
  • Legumes:Soybeans, black eyed peas and many other legumes also turn out to be notable sources of biotin.
  • Meat and fish:Organ meats, salmon and sardines are known to contain the highest levels of this vital nutrient. (9)

[ Read: Best Fruits To Eat During Pregnancy ]

It is best to have your doctor's opinion regarding adding more of biotin-rich foods to your diet during pregnancy.We hope you that this article answered your question of can you take biotin while pregnant.

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Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant. She moved into freelance content writing in 2013 and worked for various websites including MomJunction, Brainpulse Technologies, and Emarketz India.