What is Biotin?
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin, and there are many other names for biotin such as vitamin B7, vitamin H, coenzyme R, and D-Biotin, etc. It is present in small amounts in many foods such as eggs, bananas, and milk. It is an essential component of enzymes that are present in the body and cause the breakdown of many substances in the body such as carbs, fats, and protein. So we can say that biotin is essential for metabolism. There are other benefits of biotin that we will cover further in this article.
You will find that biotin is most famous for its benefits related to hair, skin, and nails. This natural supplement is the leading ingredient in natural hair and skin care products. Let’s take a more in-depth look at this beautiful vitamin!
What are the symptoms of a Biotin deficiency?
A biotin deficiency is rare, but if you have a low biotin level you may feel the following symptoms:
- Neurologic symptoms such as depression etc.
- Memory problems
- Nausea
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Seizures
- Hair loss
- Scaly rash around the eyes, face, and genital areas
If you observe any symptoms, then consult a doctor. There are several reasons which reduce the biotin level and can cause the deficiency. The most common reasons are gastric issues, taking some medicine for too long, the use of antibiotics, smoking, or malnutrition.
Suggested daily dosage
Usually, the biotin requirement varies for different age groups for children is 8-12 micrograms per day while for adults, it is 30 micrograms per day. Biotin helps to maintain healthy hair, and nails and prevent them from being brittle and dull.
Which foods contain biotin?
Biotin is present in a wide range of foods, which is why its deficiency is not shared. Some of the foods enriched with biotin are:
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Mushrooms
- Green leafy veggies
- Cheese
- Pulses
- Yeast
- Organ meat
- Cauliflower
The bacteria present in our gut also produce some amount of biotin, but if we are unable to fulfill the biotin requirement, then supplements are available to overcome the deficiency.
7 Amazing biotin health benefits
Biotin plays an essential role in the body and has many health benefits, such as:
1. Improves hair growth and health
Biotin is added to hair growth supplements that nourish the thin hair and promote hair growth. If your hairs are getting thin day by day or started to discolor then, this may be a symptom of biotin deficiency. Our hair, skin, and nails are made up of keratin protein, which is regulated by biotin because it improves the body biotin’s infrastructure. Taking biotin-rich supplements and foods helps in improving hair thickness, but it only happens if the thinning of hair is due to a deficiency of biotin. You will also find a shampoo that includes this beautiful vitamin and collagen.
Biotin fights hair loss
Hair loss can be due to various conditions such as genetic factors, some deficiency, or using the wrong shampoo. So if your hair is becoming thin gradually along with a change in texture, you must consult the doctor to identify the root cause. If tests show biotin deficiency, the doctor will recommend you some supplements along with biotin-enriched food. This will overcome the deficiency that speeds up hair growth and help people suffering from hair loss.
Studies have shown that biotin increases hair growth and helps fight baldness in both males and females. It allows men and women to regain hair, but it does not affect male pattern baldness. It is usually recommended when a person is suffering from hair loss issues as it stops hair fall, but it doesn’t reverse the male pattern baldness.
2. Help to grow stronger, shinier nails
Weak and brittle nails are problematic, and they don’t look right. According to studies, brittle nails may occur due to biotin deficiency. Biotin supplement helps to strengthen the nails and improves their quality while providing durable and shiny nails. It helps in keratin building, which is vital for skin, nails, and hair.
3. Improves body metabolism
Biotin is a vitamin that acts as a regulator of enzymes in many biochemical reactions. It helps the body to get energy by regulating the metabolism of protein, fat, and carbs. Biotin plays a significant role in these processes.
- It helps in gluconeogenesis, which is a metabolic pathway that produces glucose from protein, not from carbohydrates or fats. Biotin-containing enzymes regulate this process.
- It is an important coenzyme that helps in fatty acid synthesis.
- It is also important for the metabolism of many amino acids, such as leucine.
In general, biotin is important for energy synthesis in the body by regulating various metabolic pathways.
4. Good for diabetics
As biotin regulates metabolic pathways, it is very effective for people with diabetes because diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs due to reduced insulin activity. Due to the impairment of insulin, functioning blood sugar levels increase, which is not good for the body. Biotin supplements are high for diabetic people because they help to reduce blood sugar levels. Chromium and biotin supplements work together to lower blood sugar levels.
5. Contains anti-aging properties for skin
Biotin plays an important role in having healthy, youthful skin. If you are getting scaly or red rashes on your skin, this might be the symptom of a biotin deficiency. Sometimes its deficiency can be related to dermatitis and eczema. Biotin improves the quality of the skin by collagen synthesis and fat metabolism which helps you achieve glowing, firm, and young-looking skin.
6. Helps with autoimmune diseases
It is beneficial for autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis. In this disease, the protective sheath of nerve fibers is damaged or destroyed, which is very important for nervous coordination. Biotin is an essential factor because it helps in myelin regeneration and synthesis. It helps to protect the central nervous system.
7. Important during pregnancy and lactation
Biotin is an essential vitamin required in significant amounts during pregnancy and lactation. Typically, it can be obtained from foods, but the supplements are usually suggested for pregnant and lactating females. Women who take this supplement show improvements in their overall health.
All-natural biotin supplements
Biotin is an essential vitamin that is very good for the health of the skin, nails, and hair. Its deficiency is not good and may cause several health issues, but taking biotin reduces the symptoms along with improving overall health.
In the case of severe biotin deficiencies, biotin supplements are advised by doctors to fulfill the body requirement. Usually, people take their biotin from foods and gastrointestinal bacteria. Doctors recommend biotin supplements to pregnant and lactating mothers because they need more biotin as compared to the average adult. The AgelessHAIR all-natural supplement includes 5,000 mcg of biotin and is combined with other ingredients to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails.