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Biotin: Promoting Hair Growth and Avoiding Hair Loss

7 Min Read

A Biotin Supplement plays an important part in hair growth. Known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, Biotin is one of eight in the B-vitamin complex. This B-vitamin complex specifically plays a role in maintaining the health and proper functioning of the nervous system, liver, eyes, skin, and hairs.

A large variety of hair care products and supplements contain Biotin because of its immense benefits in hair growth. These products include medicated shampoos, split-end prevention products, conditioners and supplements that support healthy hair growth.

Mechanism of Action of Biotin to Promote Hair Health

Biotin possesses rejuvenation characteristics which help in body’s production of new cells. Biotin helps in preventing hair loss by rejuvenating both the hair follicles and scalp. This is highly beneficial for preventing shedding and also promotes hair regeneration.

Our bodies have the ability to manufacture Biotin, and that takes place in our intestines. That, combined with the fact that we just don’t require much of it, makes it highly unlikely that we will be deficient.

Although it’s a popular belief that Biotin does prevent hair loss, it is by no means proven. It’s only 1/100 of the solution and, therefore should always be included in a supplement. However, taking Biotin alone shouldn’t be expected to promote hair growth.

What Biotin does is support hair growth through metabolic function. Keratin is the building block of hair follicles and it’s formed from several amino acids. Biotin plays its role in breaking down the dietary proteins into different amino acids required for the formation of keratin. Increasing keratin production in the body promotes the production of healthy hair follicles.

Biotin also prevents hair dryness and improves the elasticity of the cortex of the hairs– preventing the splitting and breakage of hair strands. This is why many split-end prevention products contain Biotin as an ingredient.

Dietary Sources and Reasons of Biotin Deficiency in the Body

Foods rich in Biotin include: eggs, liver, dark leafy vegetables, walnuts, green peas, sunflower seeds, soybean, brown rice, and oats.

It should be noted that high protein consumption, especially raw foodists and athletes who love their raw egg drinks in the morning, can decrease Biotin assimilation. Raw egg whites contain a protein called Avidin which bonds with the proteins, making them unavailable to perform other functions in the body. Also, people with Type A blood group have decreased Biotin assimilation in the body.

Antacids also prevent Biotin absorption in the body. Hence, those people who use antacids excessively, are more susceptible to develop Biotin deficiency.

Needless to say, since Biotin is manufactured in the gut, anyone who has had surgery to remove the stomach will be prone to deficiency.

The Biotin Supplement: Recommended Daily Intake

The recommended intake of Biotin is 35 to 50 mcg\day in infants, 65 to 120 mcg\day in children, 100 to 200 mcg\day in adolescents, and 120 to 200 mcg\day in adults. If Biotin deficiency can’t be fulfilled by dietary intake, then a Biotin Supplement is recommended.

You can find a Biotin Supplement with the recommended dose of 500 mcg per day, in order to treat hair loss and promote hair growth. The most effective treatment for Biotin deficiency is an oral Biotin Supplement, as compared to topical preparations.

A Biotin toxicity or overdose can lead to skin rashes, decreased release of insulin from pancreas, high blood glucose levels, and deficiency of Vitamin C in the body, so it’s important to regularly check in with your doctor and of course discontinue Biotin supplementation if experiencing any negative side effects.

References

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.