Everyone longs for those long, beautiful, wavy tresses. However, due to pollution, the hair is exposed to irritants, so for many it is really difficult to keep the hair healthy. This is the reason why, along with external hair care, in the form of washing and regular conditioning, we must ensure that a healthy diet is followed, so that the hair reflects it. This is where the growth of biotin and hair enter the scene. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin B complex that is necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids in the body. The use of biotin for hair growth is not new and there are many biotin supplements that are available in the market. In fact, there are a few shampoos and solutions that claim to work on hair and contain biotin, although the rate of absorption of biotin through the skin is doubtful. Below are the details on the use of biotin for hair growth and what happens if there is a deficiency of biotin in the body.
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How does vitamin biotin work for hair growth?
There are many benefits and side effects of biotin. In fact, most people agree that hair growth and biotin are closely related. However, what many people do not know is how exactly biotin helps in hair growth. Biotin is responsible for promoting healthy hair growth and also prevents the chances of developing dry hair. On the other hand, biotin and hair growth are closely related, since this fabulous vitamin also increases the elasticity of the hair cortex, which greatly minimizes the chances of hair breakage. Therefore, biotin is useful for inducing the growth of hair and new skin cells, making them healthier and more abundant. For people suffering from hair loss, additional biotin can help grow thicker, healthier and longer hair.
The levels of biotin daily requirement for hair growth
In 1998, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine estimated that the existing evidence, regarding biotin requirements, was not sufficient to calculate a recommended daily dose of biotin, so, instead, it establishes a level of the adequate intake (AI). Therefore, the daily recommendations of vitamin B7 in the diet are listed below, according to the requirement of biotin dose for hair growth:
- Babies 0 to 6 months: 5 mcg / day
- Children from 7 to 12 months: 6 mcg / day
- Children 1 - 3 years old: 8mcg / day
- Children from 4 to 8 years old: 12 mcg / day
- Children from 9 to 13 years old: 20 mcg / day
- Adolescents from 14 to 18 years old: 25 mcg / day (females) and 25 mcg / day (male)
- Adults 19 years and older, 30 mcg / day (females) and 30 mcg / day (male)
- Pregnancy: 30 mcg / day
- Breastfeeding all ages: 35 mcg / day
Deficiency of biotin
The deficiency of biotin is very rare. This can only happen in extreme circumstances like, if a person were to eat twenty egg whites raw. The avidin protein, which is present in egg whites, binds to biotin, which makes it unavailable to cells. Because biotin and hair growth are so closely related, the symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss along with other skin-related symptoms, such as conjunctivitis, dermatitis and some neurological symptoms. There may also be achromotrichia, which is, the absence or loss of pigments in the hair. As mentioned above, biotin deficiency is rare and therefore, one must be alert to other symptoms in order to be sure that the symptoms that are observed are, in effect, due to the deficiency of biotin. These symptoms include red scaly facial rash, lethargy, depression, etc. In the rarer cases, a person can be biotin-deficient due to a deficiency of biotinidase (the genetic disorder), chronic use of seizure medications, dialysis, etc. However, when you are receiving treatment for biotin deficiency, be sure not to take an overdose of biotin, since it can have equally damaging effects on hair and for overall health.
This was all about the relationship between biotin and hair growth. It is of utmost importance that people discuss the use of biotin for hair growth with their doctors, in order to make sure that they are not allergic to the medication or are not taking any medication with which biotin can interact. They also need to make sure they do not turn out to be taking too much biotin. Something that could be helpful, while reaching a decision, is to read the criticisms in the use of biotin and MSM for hair growth, to see, how has it helped other consumers who experience hair loss and if is it beneficial for them or not? In addition, this will help to shed some light on whether biotin can lead to certain side effects or not. In the end, even if biotin and hair growth are closely related, it is always advisable to make an informed decision before trying any product or supplement.