Biotin for hair is a vital nutrient that plays a critical role in many essential bodily functions. Its main role is to help the body convert food into energy by breaking down carbohydrates and fats. Biotin is sometimes referred to as vitamin H, B-7, or coenzyme R. Experience the power of biotin: Biotin boosts hair growth naturally!
Apart from its energy-producing properties, biotin also plays an essential role in maintaining healthy skin, regulating LDL cholesterol levels and blood sugar. Additionally, biotin is necessary for the production of keratin, a protein that strengthens hair and nails.
As a water-soluble vitamin, biotin cannot be stored in the body for long periods and must be replenished through diet or supplements. Although the body doesn’t produce biotin naturally, gut bacteria can produce it, and having healthy intestinal flora is crucial for biotin production.
Biotin deficiency is rare but can occur in people who consume large amounts of raw egg whites, as the protein avidin in egg whites can bind to biotin, preventing its absorption. Symptoms of biotin deficiency can include thinning hair, scaly skin, and neurological problems. Biotin deficiency can be treated with supplements or by consuming biotin-rich foods such as eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes.
Side Effects of Biotin Deficiency
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including metabolism, skin health, and hair growth. While biotin deficiency is not very common, it can still occur and lead to various symptoms. Here are some of the side effects of biotin deficiency:
1. Skin Issues
Biotin deficiency can cause red rashes on the skin, particularly on the face, as well as dry or scaly skin.
2. Hair and Nail Problems
Brittle hair, hair loss, and weak or brittle nails can also occur due to biotin deficiency.
3. Fatigue and Insomnia
Biotin deficiency can lead to fatigue and insomnia, making it difficult to get enough rest.
4. Digestive Problems
Loss of appetite, nausea, and frequent upset stomach are other symptoms that can occur due to biotin deficiency.
5. Neurological Issues
Burning or prickling sensation in the hands and feet, muscle pain, seizures, and difficulty walking are all symptoms of biotin deficiency that affect the nervous system.
6. Mental Health Problems
Biotin deficiency can also cause depression and other mental health problems.
7. Oral Health Issues
Cracking in the corners of the mouth is another common symptom of biotin deficiency.
It is essential to consume a well-balanced diet to prevent biotin deficiency. However, if you suspect a biotin deficiency, you should consult a doctor or a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
How is It Diagnosed?
Biotin deficiency can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be mistaken for other medical conditions. Initially, a doctor may treat the symptoms as if another issue caused them. However, if the symptoms persist, the doctor may suspect a biotin deficiency and order a blood test to measure the level of B-7 in the blood. The doctor may also order additional lab tests to check for other nutrient deficiencies and use the results to confirm or rule out a biotin deficiency.
In some cases, low levels of biotin may be caused by an underlying medical condition. If the doctor suspects this is the case, they may recommend further tests to determine the underlying cause of the low biotin levels.
Causes of Biotin Deficiency
Biotin deficiency is a rare condition, and there are several potential causes. Some of the most common causes include:
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs, can interfere with biotin absorption, while antibiotics can destroy the beneficial bacteria in the gut that produce biotin.
- Intravenous feeding: Receiving nutrition through an IV or feeding tube can lead to a biotin deficiency, requiring supplementation until solid food can be consumed again.
- Intestinal problems: Chronic intestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and colitis, may interfere with nutrient absorption, including biotin.
- Long-term dieting: Strict diets may limit the variety of nutrients obtained from food, including biotin. A balanced diet is crucial for overall health, even when losing or maintaining weight.
- Biotinidase deficiency: A rare genetic disorder preventing the body from recycling biotin, leading to severe symptoms that may appear in infancy.
- Other genetic causes: Rare genetic disorders such as holocarboxylase synthetase, biotin transport, and phenylketonuria may also lead to biotin deficiency. Infants are screened for phenylketonuria at birth, as it can cause severe neurological problems if untreated.
How is Biotin Deficiency Treated and Prevented?
Prevention of biotin deficiency:
- Eat foods that are rich in biotin, including green peas, legumes, lentils, sunflower seeds and butter, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, cooked eggs (especially egg yolks), organ meats, dairy products, seafood, and whole grains.
- Eat these foods in their whole, unprocessed forms to get the highest vitamin quantity possible.
Treatment of biotin deficiency:
- Treatment typically involves consuming more biotin through either food or supplements.
- Biotin supplements are available in 10, 50, and 100 mcg doses.
- Consult with a doctor before taking biotin supplements, as they can interact with other medications and excessive intake can lead to unintended side effects.
- In severe cases, high doses of biotin may be given intravenously.
Biotin for Hair Growth
Biotin is essential for the production of keratin, the protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails.
Biotin deficiency is rare in healthy people who eat a balanced diet but can cause hair thinning and loss.
Biotin supplements and hair products with biotin are often advertised to promote healthy hair growth or thicker hair.
Limited evidence suggests that supplementing with biotin or using biotin hair products promotes hair growth in non-deficient people.
A small 2012 study found that a multi-ingredient hair growth supplement containing biotin resulted in increased hair volume, scalp coverage, and thickness, but it’s not possible to attribute the findings to biotin alone.
Another study found that children who experienced improved hair growth after taking biotin supplements had an underlying condition that caused biotin deficiency.
Overall, no strong evidence supports taking biotin supplements or using biotin hair products to promote hair growth in non-deficient people.
Does Biotin Help Prevent Hair Loss?
Biotin may help prevent hair loss in people with a biotin deficiency, but the evidence for its effectiveness in promoting hair growth is weak. A biotin deficiency was found in 38% of women complaining of hair loss, and 11% of those women had risk factors for biotin deficiency, such as inflammatory bowel disease or medication use.
However, hair loss can have multiple causes, including androgenetic alopecia, rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal diseases. Determining the underlying cause of hair loss before supplementing with biotin is important, as other factors may be at play.
Even in cases where a biotin deficiency is present, biotin supplements may not necessarily prevent hair loss. One study found that only some of the patients with low biotin levels who were prescribed a biotin supplement for hair loss saw a significant decline in hair loss after three months.
Written By
MD (Skin & VD)
Dr Richa Sanmukhani is renowned skin and hair specialist in India. She has more than 10 years of experience in hair loss treatments with biotin and other hair supplements.
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See Detailed Disclaimers Here.
