Better known as vitamin H or B8, biotin is very present in both animal and plant foods. Its lack can mean a deficit of cellular enzymes that affect tissues such as skin or hair
Much is being said about the famous shampoo for horses for human use. His supporters talk wonders about him and say, among other things, that he leaves his hair stronger and brighter, as well as having the properties of a hair grower. All this is attributed to the shampoo, directed to horses, has a high concentration of biotin among its components.
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin known as vitamin H or B8. It intervenes in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids and purines as a cofactor of enzymes; that is to say, that it is necessary for the action of certain essential enzymes in the processes of cellular duplication.
Therefore, biotin is used for cell growth, the production of fatty acids and in the metabolism of fats and amino acids . It also helps transfer carbon dioxide and participates in the maintenance of blood sugar levels. Hence, it can help improve blood glucose levels of patients with diabetes, relieve muscle pain and combat eczema and dermatitis among other benefits.
Biotin deficiency
The truth is that showing a picture with biotin deficiency is very rare. Biotin is very present in foods of animal origin (fish, chicken, eggs, yeast and especially in viscera such as the kidney or liver) as a vegetable (fruits, legumes, nuts, potatoes, etc). In addition, the intestinal flora is capable of synthesizing large amounts of biotin.
Therefore, biotin deficiency is relatively rare, but can be treated with supplementation. A lack of biotin can suppose, among others, a deficit of cellular enzymes that affect tissues such as skin or hair.
Causes of deficiency
The biotin deficiency can be caused by an excessive consumption of raw egg white, which contains high levels of a protein called avidita , which has the peculiarity of binding to biotin and ceasing to be absorbed by the intestine of mammals. It is also produced by a rare deficiency in biotinidase , which is the enzyme that metabolizes it, or by disorders in the same metabolism in alcoholic people or who are subjected to anticonvulsant treatments.
When there is a biotin deficiency, seborrheic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, hair loss, eyebrows and eyelashes and neurological symptoms such as depression, irritability or seizures are easily produced.
To alleviate this deficiency, the specialist can administer biotin supplements to patients.
Biotin and hair
Biotin supplements are sometimes recommended for problems of hair loss or seborrheic dermatitis when, as mentioned, there is a deficit of this vitamin. However, there are no studies that show the benefits of biotin when the subject does not have this deficiency.
In addition, biotin is not absorbed by the skin, but by the intestine , so that the beneficial effects of shampoos with biotin through the scalp are at least doubtful.
If we do not have biotin deficiency it is preferable to adapt our diet in a correct way before using these shampoos. However, if we want to be sure, it is best to go to a specialist to diagnose our real problem.
The success of horse shampoos
The boom of horse shampoos is a phenomenon to study. The first thing we have to ask ourselves is why these people do not use the biotin hair products that exist in the human market. There are lots of shampoos where biotin is used as part of their ingredients. We find it in anti-fall products, in strengthening products, in different types of shampoos, etc. And in well-known brands in the market.
Biotin and horse
Biotin is widely used in equine feed as a supplementary nutrient to promote good condition of the helmet and hair. Horses need to receive nutrients from the blood to stimulate helmet growth and regeneration. The wall of the hoof is a dermal tissue, like the skin and hair, and studies have shown that biotin supplementation, along with other ingredients, improves the condition of horses' hooves.
However, it is said that horses do not need biotin diets except in the case of work under stress conditions , such as intense work, long trips or being fed a low quality diet. And even in these cases, biotin deficiency in equines is relatively rare.
It is also used as an equine shampoo for the animal to look a beautiful hair thanks to its excellent detersive properties , that is, for its property of hair cleaning. It maintains the PH (of the horse) balanced and leaves a clean and shiny hair, but not only for the biotin, but for the conjunction with the other ingredients. Among these, there are sometimes insecticides or insect repellents.
The detrimental effect of horse shampoos
In principle, the use of any product not intended for human consumption should be rejected. It is possible that shampoos for horses are not harmful to humans, but we do not know if insecticides (if any) or other ingredients can damage our scalp if, for example, we have a problem such as allergies or irritation. It is also absurd to use a shampoo for horses existing shampoos with biotin for humans .
And the most important thing is that there is no evidence of its effectiveness in hair. As we have already mentioned, a diet rich in biotin will offer better results.