Discover the power of vitamin and vitamin supplements for hair care: biotin vitamin

Sometimes known as Vitamin H, biotin is one of the lesser known B vitamins. This water-soluble vitamin is produced in the body by specific intestinal bacteria. Other sources include foods such as egg yolks, rice, soy products, cauliflower, oatmeal, barley, whole wheat, milk, cereals, almonds, beef liver, peanuts and brewer’s yeast. Most vitamin B complex products also contain biotin.

The word biotin comes from the Greek word ‘bios’, meaning life. As per its name, biotin is responsible for the metabolization of fats, carbohydrates and building block of proteins the amino acids in the body. Researchers suggest that like most other B vitamins, biotin has co-enzymatic properties, which allow it to synthesize amino acids, fats and carbohydrates, all of which are elements necessary for protein production. Research also shows that biotin plays an important role in blood glucose utilization, a primary source of energy within he body.

Biotin is especially helpful for hair and nail problems. This B vitamin is finding its way into a number of natural hair loss products and may be particularly useful in cases of alopecia (partial to complete hair loss) in both men, women and children.¹ Biotin also works well to improve the condition of thin, brittle, splitting finger and toenails. One study suggests that biotin administered in amounts of 2.5 mg per day, strengthened fingernails in approximately 66 percent of patients.²

Biotin is thought to help produce keratin, the building block of hair and nails. It is also thought that is vitamin may prevent graying of hair. However the major benefit of biotin lies in its ability to strengthen hair and nails.

Biotin vitamin is beneficial for male hair growth as well for female hair growth anyone who is experiencing hair loss. Women can keep their hair longer and promote hair growth by taking a biotin supplement or hair vitamins containing biotin.

VBiotin is so important to hair health, that many dermatologists prescribe biotin supplements to their patients as part of their medical hair restoration treatment for hair loss. It is taken along other medication used for medical hair restoration. Besides promoting hair growth it also protects hair against dryness by being involved in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fats. Lack of biotin has been shown to result in hair loss for both men and women. Biotin along with the vitamin-B3 offers a powerful combination of hair loss supplements for restoring for male hair growth restoration and female hair growth restoration

Biotin deficiency is rare, most likely because it is abundantly available in so many foods. Studies show however, that raw eggs contain a protein called avidin which actually binds to biotin, blocking its absorption by tissue cells. Cooking eggs though, will inactivate avidin’s binding properties, although experts say less processed foods are still better sources of biotin.

Most medical students have likely heard the case in which a poultry farmer, who ate raw eggs for breakfast every day for many years, eventually became one of the few recorded cases of biotin deficiency. Although possible, eating raw eggs is still a very unlikely cause for biotin deficiency, but it is a very good way to contract Salmonella and not recommended.

Studies show that vegetarians are more able to efficiently absorb and use biotin from the gastrointestinal tract than people who eat meat. These results may be related to the fact that many vegetarians eat raw food sources of biotin that are not yet destroyed by food processing.

The most common signs of biotin deficiency are dry scaly skin, cheilitis (cracks in the corner of the mouth), glossitis (magenta colored, swollen and painful tongue), dry eyes, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia and hair loss. As well, birth defects such as cleft palate have been reported, which is quite alarming considering statistics show that as many as 50 percent of pregnant women may be biotin deficient. Some research suggests that long-term use of antibiotics and other sulfa drugs as well as anticonvulsants can slowly deplete the body of biotin.¹

Studies show that people suffering form Type 2 Diabetes are also commonly deficient in biotin. Earlier studies suggest that biotin may play a part in insulin regulation and improve blood sugar control this type of diabetes.³

As well, long-term diabetes sufferers often develop a secondary condition called peripheral neuropathy. This often painful disease results from damage to the nerves of the extremities, most commonly the feet and calves. People who duffer form peripheral neuropathy experience a numbness, tingling or burning feeling usually in combination with pain and muscle weakness that makes walking very difficult. Studies suggest that biotin supplementation may improve symptoms in as little as 1 to 3 months.⁴

Biotinidase deficiency is a rare, genetic condition found in babies and young children usually from Saudi Arabia. Symptoms include seizures, hair loss or bald spots, skin disorders, hearing loss, visual problems and delayed development. Biotin supplementation is normally given to relieve some of these symptoms and has had good results to date.⁶

Another genetic disease with similar symptoms as Biotinidase Deficiency is Holocaroylase Synthetase Deficiency, which also interferes with biotin metabolism. Again, biotin supplementation has been found to be very helpful in relieving symptoms.

Cradle cap is a common malady among newborns. Scientists now know that this condition, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, results in part from a biotin deficiency. Reports show that some infants respond positively to biotin supplementation administered through formulas or in breast milk and show improvement in the degree and severity of scaly skin.⁷ As well, in a similar condition, Phenyulketonuria (PKU), in which the body is unable to break down a common amino acid called phenylalanine, patients also develop skin conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Studies also show improvement in symptoms after biotin supplementation.⁸

Recent studies suggest that biotin may also play a part in LDL (bad) cholesterol. Patients with high levels of LDL cholesterol all showed low levels of biotin. Although no studies have yet to confirm whether biotin supplementation will correct this situation, the theory is that raising the levels of biotin may also lower the levels of LDL.

Some researchers believe that biotin deficient people are more likely to contract candida infections. Candida is caused by a yeast-like fungus, which builds up and eventually infects healthy cells. The most commonly affected areas include the skin, vagina, and mouth. Symptoms are often quit e painful and include cracks at the corners of the mouth, white patches in the mouth or on the throat, skin rashes most frequently in moist areas of the body such as the groin, between the fingers and toes and under the breasts. As well, severe vaginal itching is usually followed by a thick, white discharge. Although specific studies have yet to be conducted, reports do show that taking biotin supplements for a period of three months may help to relive symptoms and improve chronic recurring incidences.

Biotin supplements are usually found along with other B vitamins in most B complex formulas, however, biotin can be found separately or in combination with brewer’s yeast as well. Usual preparations contain either 10 mcg, 50 mcg or 100 mcg tablets. As with many of the vitamins, the recommended dose varies with age and weight. The average dose for adults 19 an over however, is 30 mcg per day. A health practitioner may recommend much higher doses (up to 1,000 mcg) depending on the severity and type of problem, but it is always best to speak to someone before self-medicating above the recommended dosage. Biotin is a non-toxic compound because all excess amounts are regularly eliminated through the urine.

Some drug interactions have been noted such as antibiotics. Studies show that long-term use of antibiotics could potentially lower biotin levels by destroying the intestinal bacteria responsible for biotin production. As well, long-term use of anticonvulsants such as Phenobarbital, can reduce biotin stores as a result of increased urinary excretion.

1. Camacho FM, Garcia-Hernandez MJ, “Zinc aspartate, biotin, and clobetasol propionate in the treatment of alopecia areata in childhood”, Pediatr Dermatol, 1999;16(4):336-338.
2. Houchman LG, et al, “Brittle nails: response to biotin supplementation”, Cutis, 1993;51:303–307
3. Gulati S, Passi GR, Kumar A, Kabra M, Kalra V, Verma IC, “Biotinidase deficiency – a treatable entity”, Indian J Pediatr, 2000;67(6):464-466.
4. McCarthy MF, “Toward practical prevention of type 2 diabetes”, Med Hypotheses, 2000;54(5):786-793.
5. Yatzidis H, Koutsicos D, Agroyannis B, Papastephanidis C, Francos-Plemenos M, Delatola Z, “Biotin in the management of uremic neurologic disorders”, Nephron, 1984;36(3):183-186.
6. Oshi S, Al-Essa MA, Archibald A, Ozand PT, “Biotinidase deficiency: a treatable genetic disorder in the Saudi population”, East Mediterr Health J, 1999;5(6):1213-1217.
7. Mock DM, “Skin manifestations of biotin deficiency”, Semin Dermatol, 1991;10(4):296-302.
8. Schulpis KH, Nyalala JO, Papakonstantinou ED, et al, “Biotin recycling impairment in phenylketonuric children with seborrheic dermatitis”, Int J Dermatol, 1998;37:918–921.