Hair loss can be a painful experience, as it has damaging effects on our confidence and appearance. In pursuing a cure, we modify our lifestyle, start eating healthy, ditch chemical products, go for natural treatments, etc. There are deeper metabolic functions of the body that also influence hair health. Biotin is a nutrient vital for hair growth, a deficiency which causes hair loss. Let us understand what biotin is, its role in our body, and the various ways of using it for hair growth.


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Does Biotin Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

Biotin is a B vitamin and water-soluble. It is also called vitamin H or vitamin B7. It plays a vital role in facilitating several metabolic processes in the body. Certain enzymes in our body need biotin to break down carbohydrates and fats into glucose. As we all know, every cell in our body needs glucose to sustain itself. Biotin also affects the synthesis of proteins by amino acids like keratin. Keratin is a vital component of hair, skin, and nails; 90% of hair comprises keratin. If keratin is not synthesised sufficiently, it affects hair growth and regrowth. So, when biotin is deficient, keratin production goes down, resulting in hair loss or alopecia, hair thinning.

There are various causes of biotin deficiency, including inadequate diet and genetic disorders that affect biotin metabolism, health conditions that affect the gut flora in producing biotin, certain medications, alcohol consumption, smoking, etc.

The amount of biotin we need per day varies with age. The table below indicates the recommended average daily requirement of biotin in micrograms

Recommended Biotin Intake:

  • Birth to 6 months – 5 mcg/day.
  • Infants (7-12 months) – 6 mcg/day.
  • Small Children (1-3 years) – 8 mcg/day.
  • Children (4-8 years) – 12 mcg/day.
  • Children (9-13 years) – 20 mcg/day.
  • Teens (14-18 years) – 25 mcg/day.
  • Adults (19+ years) – 30 mcg/day.
  • Pregnant teens and women – 30 mcg/day.
  • Breastfeeding teens and women – 35 mcg/day.

Read More: Phases of Hair Growth Cycle


Benefits of Biotin:

Biotin helps the body carry out some important functions and keeps various systems in the body healthy, like the digestive system, nervous system, etc. Let us look at some key benefits of biotin in maintaining the health of our body:

1. Hair, Nail and Skin Health:

Biotin is linked to the development of hair, skin, and nails. It is vital for producing keratin, a protein that gives structure to hair, nails, and skin. Any deficiency in biotin results in hair loss, brittle, weak hair, thin hair, brittle nails, skin infections, skin rashes, etc.

2. Aids in Metabolism:

Biotin plays an important role in spearheading various metabolic processes that create energy. Various enzymes in our body require biotin to produce glucose from carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids. It also helps break down many vital amino acids to produce energy. It also plays a very important role in synthesising fatty acids.

3. Supports Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

Pregnant and lactating women require higher energy levels, so nutrients get used up quicker than at other times. Biotin gets depleted more rapidly during these times. Low levels of biotin during pregnancy may lead to birth defects in unborn children. So consuming biotin-rich foods or supplements during these periods is very important.

4. Helps Manage Multiple Sclerosis:

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the protective covering of certain nerve fibres is damaged. This protective covering is made up of myelin, a lipid-rich component. Biotin helps in the production of myelin. Biotin consumption may help MS patients manage their disease better.

5. Helps in Diabetes Management:

Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the functionality of insulin is compromised, leading to higher levels of blood sugar levels. Some research says that people with diabetes have lower biotin levels, so biotin supplements for diabetic patients could help lower blood sugar levels.

6. Aids in Brain Functions:

Brain functionality depends on the conduction of nerve impulses. Myelin is the insulating layer around the nerves that facilitates the transmission of electric impulses and nerve cells. Biotin helps in myelin production, so depleted levels of biotin may affect cognition, memory, and other functionalities.

7. Protects Heart:

Biotin helps in defending against inflammation that affects heart health. It is also helpful in lowering the LDL or bad cholesterol levels that cause heart disease. It helps increase HDL or good cholesterol levels that benefit the body.


Also Read: How to Use Monistat for Hair Growth


Foods That Are Rich in Biotin:

Biotin is water-soluble; hence, it is not retained in the body. Though the body does not synthesise biotin alone, gut bacteria produce biotin in levels that are usually sufficient for the body. Small amounts of biotin are also found in various food sources. Adequate intake of biotin-rich foods is always recommended, as biotin is a vital nutrient that can influence overall health. Let us look at some foods rich in biotin.

  • Egg yolk.
  • Yeast.
  • Cheese.
  • Nuts.
  • Whole grains.
  • Wheat germ.
  • Leafy greens.
  • White mushrooms.
  • Soybeans and other legumes.
  • Bananas.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Carrots.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Apple.
  • Lettuce.

Organ meats, such as kidneys or liver.

Biotin Products for Hair Growth:

Now that we understand how important biotin is in treating hair loss and stimulating hair growth let us look at the various popular biotin products available in the market:

1. Carbamide Forte High Potency Biotin 10000mcg Tablets:

The best way to ensure your body gets sufficient amounts of biotin is to take biotin supplements daily. Carbamide Forte’s Biotinova is one of the top biotin supplements in the market today. It claims to give significant results in treating hair loss, skin rash, skin cracking, dryness, and thin, brittle, or soft nails. Each tablet of Biotinova contains 10000 mcg of biotin, the recommended dosage of biotin supplementation worldwide; most supplements only have 5000 mcg of biotin. It is meat and egg-free, so that vegetarians can consume it. It is also free of soy, yeast, and gluten, making it suitable for people with allergies. This tablet is also free of sodium and fish ingredients. It is not a capsule, so there is no gelatin used.

  • The recommended dosage is one tablet daily with breakfast.

2. Simply Herbal Biotin 10000mcg:

Another popular biotin supplement is Biotin by Simply Herbal. These high potency 10000 mcg capsules are enriched with calcium and claim to strengthen hair, promote hair growth, and prevent hair fall and thinning. They are also good for brittle and weak nails, making them stronger and healthier. They are very beneficial to the skin as they help restore the natural glow and shine. These capsules are 100% safe and natural and free of GMO, soy, dairy, and gluten; hence, they can be consumed by people with allergies. The capsules are made of soft gel, gluten-free, and 100% vegetarian. These capsules are very effective in treating bald spots.

  • The recommended dosage is one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening with meals.

3. Kayos Naturals Biotin 10000 mcg:

Biotin by Kayos Naturals is a liquid biotin supplement with a high potency of 10000 mcg. As it is in liquid form, it assures the highest absorption; supplements in capsule or tablet form have low absorption in the body, sometimes as little as 20%. This supplement assures effective results in treating hair loss and promoting hair growth. It is highly convenient for topical application on the face and hair as it is in liquid form. The topical application of vitamins like biotin enhances their effectiveness. It can be safely applied on the scalp to treat hair loss in men and women. You can use a few drops of this liquid in your face packs or hair masks for highly significant and quick results. All products of Kayos Naturals are manufactured in FSSAI and GMP-certified units, so they carry high standards of quality.

  • The recommended daily dosage is 1 mL mixed in your juice or smoothie. For topical application, 1 mL can be mixed in the hair shampoo or mask. 0.5 mL can be mixed in the face mask if you want to use it on your face.

4. Calla Naturals Biotin Shampoo:

Calla Natural’s Biotin shampoo claims to reduce hair loss and boost healthier and thicker hair growth. It also helps fight dandruff. It is made with pure oils and is highly safe, free of harmful sulphates and parabens that can damage your hair, and it is also free of mineral oils. Apart from biotin, it has a range of other components like hydrolysed collagen, jojoba cold processed oil, avocado and sunflower oil, carrot and tomato seed extracts, silk protein and oat extracts, aloe vera extract, and ginger essential oil. These natural ingredients benefit the hair and scalp as they treat dandruff, oily scalp, and infections. They are also very effective in promoting hair growth.

  • The shampoo is natural and mild to be safe to use daily.

Read Next: Is MSM Good For Hair Growth


Overview:

It is difficult to ensure your body gets sufficient nourishment every day. Vitamins and minerals help our bodies in carrying out important functions, so it is essential that we consume them enough to meet our body’s requirements. If you are using biotin tablets for hair and body health, it is advised to choose products made from real and natural food sources free from toxins and fillers. Various foods are rich in biotin, like eggs, whole grains, meats, milk, etc. It is important that we plan all our meals to include these foods in our daily diet.

Suvarna

About Suvarna

Suvarna is a freelance content writer with over 8 years of professional writing experience. She specialized in developing research-based content on Beauty, Skin, and Hair Care. Suvarna believes that beauty is one of the key factors for every personality. She always strives to bring more authenticity and credibility to her articles.
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