Biotin has many benefits for the body. The primary one is to turn the food you eat into energy. Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, an essential nutrient most often found naturally in food; Biotin-rich foods include rice, vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, cereals like wheat, and oats.
This article explains how Biotin can prevent hair loss, the risk of deficiency of Biotin, and the effects of Biotin in hair loss treatment.
Can Biotin prevent hair loss?
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, stimulates keratin production in hair and increases follicle growth rate. It is not stored for a longer period in the body. Most of your nutrients come from the food you eat. Biotin is a supplement that may be helpful for those who are truly Biotin deficient. Biotin deficiency is quite rare amongst the general population. Biotin is added to some shampoos, which claim to reduce hair loss, but there is no evidence that it works. Foods rich in healthy minerals and vitamins will help with overall hair health.
What are Biotin-rich foods?
The best natural sources of Biotin are eggs, fish, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. It will help fortify the hair follicle by boosting your keratin. Foods that contain vitamin E, such as nut butter and avocado, can also support hair health. Lastly, it ensures you get enough omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids through foods like walnuts, chia seeds, and fish.
Eggs are a good source of Biotin, but avoid consuming the raw to get most of the vitamin. Raw egg whites contain avidin, a sugar protein that tightly binds Biotin and prevents your body from absorbing it.
Biotin recommended dosage
The National Institute of Health recommends that 20 to 30 micrograms of Biotin intake for teenagers and adults will be effective.
However, the total amount of Biotin intake depends upon all the sources of Biotin, such as cooking ingredients and common foods.
Taking a small dosage of Biotin supplements is very common and normal to prevent Biotin deficiency, potentially promoting hair health.
The maximum safe dose of Biotin
Biotin is an effective and safe supplement with a few side effects Biotin is reported with high intakes. Generally, it is best not to take too much Biotin. Until and unless you have been prescribed Biotin at a certain dose by the healthcare provider, it will be best if you stick to the recommended daily dose listed on your Biotin supplement.
Biotin benefits
Biotin is an essential vitamin; your body needs this micronutrient to function properly. Biotin consumption in foods helps the body to turn the food into energy.
Biotin supplement is likely to be effective in treating Biotin deficiency and receding hairline. However, some Biotin supplements claim that it has some additional health benefits, which are not supported by scientific benefits.
Who is at risk for Biotin Deficiency?
Generally, Biotin supplements are unnecessary until and unless you have a Biotin deficiency or any risk factor which increases the risk of a deficiency. You may observe Biotin deficiency in those people with:
- Chronic alcohol use: Alcohol inhibits the absorption of Biotin. Long-term use of alcohol can cause a significant reduction in Biotin levels.
- Malnutrition: Inadequate nutrient and food intake can lead to low nutrient levels, including Biotin.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can decrease the gut bacteria's Biotin production.
- Biotinidase deficiency: It is a genetic disorder in which the body cannot recycle or reuse Biotin.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can develop low Biotin levels, despite having a normal dietary intake of the vitamin. It may be due to increased use of the vitamin, impaired absorption, or maybe both.
People who take certain classes of medications like retinoids and antiepileptics also have the risk of Biotin deficiency.
Antiepileptics are generally used to treat seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, and nerve pain. Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from vitamin A, commonly used to treat psoriasis, acne, and other dermatological conditions.
Biotin deficiency can cause skin rashes, hair thinning, brittle nails, and hair loss. It owes to the vitamin's role in keratin production.
Side effects of Biotin
Biotin supplements can cause problems if you take too much. Side effects of Biotin include skin rashes, digestive upset, problems with insulin release, and kidney problems.
Biotin treatment was said to interfere with Grave's disease and laboratory tests.
Risks and warnings of the Biotin
Biotin is taken as a dietary supplement that is relatively safe and unlikely to have any toxic effects since it is water soluble. However, an overdose can cause excessive thirst, urination, and insomnia.
Overdose of Biotin can increase and cause high levels of Biotin in the blood., which can hinder certain lab tests, including those used to measure vitamin D, heart health, and thyroid hormones.
Biotin can bind with specific proteins and detect certain health conditions. Therefore make sure to consult the doctor.
Conclusion
Poor hair growth or hair thinning are sometimes associated with Biotin deficiency; correcting the Biotin deficiency level may help hair regrowth in some people.
Several other factors are also responsible that can cause hair loss and thinness, including the deficiency of other nutrients like zinc and iron.
Most people get plenty of Biotin from their diets. Some other factors like lifestyle habits and medications can cause low levels of Biotin deficiency.
If you are planning to take supplements with Biotin, then make sure to consult a doctor prior to taking any medications.
To know more about Biotin and Does Biotin stops hair loss, you can visit the nearest AHS clinic and consult the hair experts. Their experience will put your mind at ease regarding does Biotin stops hair fall or if it is of no good use. To schedule an appointment, give us a call or visit your nearest AHS Hair Fall Clinic.