Some people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) add supplements like biotin to their treatment plans to help manage symptoms. While biotin is known for supporting hair, nails, and skin, researchers are now studying how it might benefit the nerves and immune system in progressive forms of MS.

Many MyMSTeam members have tried biotin and discussed their experiences, both positive and negative. Read on to find out more about biotin, whether it might help with MS, and what members say about it.

What Is Biotin?

Biotin is an essential B vitamin found primarily in animal products such as beef, eggs, and salmon. It’s also found in smaller amounts in foods such as sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, spinach, almonds, and tuna. For adults aged 19 and older, the recommended amount of biotin is 30 micrograms per day. It can be hard to get enough biotin from a vegetarian or vegan diet, which is why many people have started to take biotin supplements over the years.

Research has suggested that biotin may have properties that support the production of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers that’s essential for nerve health. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin in the central nervous system, leading to demyelination (loss of myelin). This damage disrupts communication between nerves, causing symptoms such as muscle weakness and cognitive impairment. Researchers theorize that biotin could potentially slow down the demyelination associated with MS or aid in myelin repair.

Results From Biotin Clinical Studies

Only a few clinical trials have been conducted to assess the mechanisms of high-dose biotin supplements and symptoms of progressive MS, with mixed results. When figuring out if a supplement is effective, it’s important to have studies with large numbers of participants who are followed over a period of time. For high-dose biotin supplements to be proven helpful or harmful for people with primary progressive MS, other studies need to show the same results. Consistent findings are key to understanding how effective biotin might be.

Studies Supporting the Use of High-Dose Biotin in Progressive MS

There are a few studies that seem to support using high-dose biotin to treat progressive MS.

In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers looked into high-dose biotin to see if it could help slow down or even reverse the worsening of symptoms. The study included 154 people with primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS. Disability was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results showed that 13 percent of people who received the supplement experienced improvements in MS-related disability.

A small pilot study included 23 participants — 14 with PPMS and nine with SPMS progressive MS. The study found that high-dose biotin improved visual acuity and spinal cord function in some participants with these conditions.

One more study from the journal Neurology examined three clinical trials involving 796 people diagnosed with progressive MS. When these study participants received high-dose biotin for 12 to 15 months, a statistically significant number showed improvement in how fast they could walk over short distances.

Studies Questioning the Use of High-Dose Biotin in Progressive MS

One study from the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders found no benefit of taking biotin for progressive MS. It examined high-dose biotin in 43 people for one year. None of the individuals had symptom improvement. In fact, one-third of the participants’ symptoms became worse. Worsening symptoms included increased lower extremity weakness, decreased balance, and increased falls.

It's unclear whether worsened symptoms were from disease progression or due to the body’s increased demand to metabolize high-dose biotin. Some people’s symptoms improved after they stopped taking the biotin supplement.

Most recently, a randomized, double-blind placebo study from The Lancet Neurology also failed to show improvements in people with PPMS symptoms when taking a high-dose biotin supplement. The study involved 642 individuals in 13 countries. The supplement did not significantly improve disability or walking speed for those with progressive MS.

Conclusions: Is Biotin Effective for Progressive MS?

Some researchers have looked at all of the biotin research as related to progressive MS to try and draw some conclusions. One of these articles cited in the journal Nutrients simply emphasizes the fact that the research is inconsistent. There’s some promising research for using biotin with other demyelinating diseases, but no conclusions specific to primary or secondary progressive MS.

Another set of researchers looked at the use and benefit of biotin overall, in progressive MS and other conditions. They came to the same conclusions: The research regarding progressive MS and biotin is inconsistent, and we need more data.

As far as current research can tell, there’s no convincing reason to take biotin for the treatment of progressive MS.

Is Biotin Safe?

Published data suggest that 300 milligrams of biotin per day was tolerated well and considered safe. However, consuming high doses of biotin has been shown to create false lab results, which could mask abnormal test results, for instance, for thyroid-stimulating hormone and troponin, a protein measured to detect a heart attack.

Dietary supplements like biotin aren’t strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), like medications are. This means there may be concerns about accurate labeling, contaminants of heavy metals, and other harmful byproducts. Be careful when choosing supplement products. Some supplements are tested by independent organizations to make sure they are safe and effective. Look for products with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or NSF logo — these marks show that the supplements meet quality standards.

Talk with your neurology team before taking biotin to ensure it won’t interfere with any prescribed medications, supplements, or other health conditions.

What Do MyMSTeam Members Say About Biotin?

Although evidence on the efficacy of biotin for MS is mixed, some members of MyMSTeam report noticing an improvement in their symptoms after taking biotin regularly. One member shared, “My doctor said it would take six months for the full effect, but I already see a difference with no leg spasms.” Another said, “I take it at night, and it seems to help with leg cramps and leg spasms.”

A third MyMSTeam member shared, “I have been taking biotin for years now to help my hair. My MS is basically nonexistent.”

However, some members find biotin doesn’t work as well as they had hoped. As one member shared, “I started my biotin regimen in June, taking pure biotin three times a day. I see no beneficial effects to this point. Still hoping.”

Another member had a similar lack of results. “I took biotin daily for very long but found no benefit at all,” they shared.

Biotin for Hair Loss

There are several reasons why you might lose your hair with progressive MS. Most of these are associated with treatments for MS, rather than with the disease itself.

As noted above, biotin may help with hair loss. This is another area where more research is needed to find definite answers. Some MyMSTeam members have found biotin helpful for their hair. “I’ve been using biotin for about a year for my hair loss,” one reported. “It seems to make my hair a little stronger.”

Talk to Your Doctor

Some research suggests that high-dose biotin might help people with progressive MS, but the results have been mixed. There’s no solid proof yet that it can slow down symptoms or improve mobility for everyone. Still, some people find it worth trying. If you’re thinking about adding biotin to your routine, make sure to talk with your doctor first to see if it’s a good fit for you. As new research comes out, staying informed can help you make the best choices for your health.

Find Your Team

On MyMSTeam, the social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones, more than 216,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with multiple sclerosis.

Are you thinking about taking biotin for progressive MS? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.