While biotin has long been praised as the fix to healthy hair, the common person may be left wondering what it is and if supplements offer support to hair health. According to Medical News Today, the most common signs of biotin deficiencies include hair loss, rashes, depression, lethargy, and impaired immune function, to name a few. Biotin deficiency occurs in certain people such as women who are pregnant or postpartum, those who have recently experienced weight loss surgery, or people who smoke. It is for this reason Postpartum and Gastric Weight Loss pages are often filled with testimonies of people who swear by biotin for hair growth. Generally speaking, Biotin deficiency is uncommon, but there are symptoms to look for to see if you may need to add more to your diet/supplemental intake. Biotin and amino acids play a beneficial role in maintaining healthy hair and scalp and controlling dandruff. Currently there is no recommended dietary allowance for biotin, so it's hard to know exactly how much biotin you should get on a daily basis. Following a healthy hair plan with a physician can help determine how much Biotin is needed and from which sources.
What is Biotin? Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates keratin production in the hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth in the scalp. Biotin helps convert nutrients into energy and helps metabolize carbohydrates and amino acids, aiding in breaking down fat in the body and supporting healthy skin, nails, and hair. Other B-vitamins work to create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. These processes are important for hair growth. And not only does this vitamin support keratin production, but it is also known to support a healthy metabolism, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive function.
What Are Some National Sources of Biotin? Biotin is most effective when it is consumed nutritionally. The good bacteria in your gut (that comes from a healthy diet) synthesizes more biotin than the body needs. For those wishing to increase daily intake through food, a daily variety of biotin-rich foods is needed for maximum absorption, according to Healthline. Egg yolks, meat, fish, peas, beans, lentils, nuts, oats, spinach, pork, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, bananas, broccoli, and avocados all contain biotin rich nutrients to support hair health. Many of these foods also provide other nutrient rich hair support in addition to biotin. Spinach, for example, is made up of about 90% water, which supports hair growth by preventing split ends and brittle hair. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, promoting healthy gut bacteria. A healthy gut contributes to overall body health, including hair health. In most regions of the United States, the average biotin intake from foods is around 35-70mcg/day, an indication that Western diets typically have an adequate amount of biotin without the need of added dietary supplementation.
How Much Do I Need? Outside of dietary intake, biotin supplements can be found on any pharmacy shelf and the typical safe dosage range is 1,000 to 3,000 mcg per day, up to 6,000 mcg per day for those with seborrheic dermatitis and nursing mothers, and up to 8-16 mg daily for those with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. While it is available as an over the counter vitamin, it is important to note that there is supplement without physician support. Excessive intake of Biotin can pose a risk to your health, causing clinically false high or low laboratory test results. These false positive or negative results could lead to a misdiagnosis of thyroid function, heart health, adverse drug interactions and more. It is for this reason that Smart Solutions RX advises working on your healthy hair plan with a qualified LOCKrx partnering physician who can address your hair health concerns to create a customized plan specific to addressing your individual needs.
For biotin deficient lifestyles, over-the-counter biotin supplements may help to restore levels. A premier blend of super Vitamin B and 3000 mcg of biotin can be found in LOCKrx GUARD, an oral nutraceutical that works to give you healthy hair from the inside out. GUARD healthy hair tabs are formulated with a proprietary blend to support healthy metabolism of hair, skin, and nails. Multiple B vitamins and biotin have been shown to be some of the most important factors in maintaining hair vitality and supporting structure and color. For those seeking to add only Biotin to their hair health, there’s NatureMade Biotin Gummies for hair, skin, and nails. These supplements contain 5000Mcg of Biotin and are designed for adults diagnosed with low biomarkers.
Final Thoughts Taking biotin in supplemental form and incorporating more of it into your diet are wonderful ways to promote healthy hair growth. If you are diagnosed as biotin deficient, supplemental sources of biotin are even more important to consider and should be incorporated with the support of a physician. If diet alone does not help to increase your Biotin levels, a supplement, like LOCKrx Guard may help to protect your health when followed by a professional.
Further Reading
https://www.healthline.com/health/biotin-hair-growth#risks-and-warnings https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/hair-loss/does-biotin-really-prevent-hair-loss https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/biotin-rich-foods#1.-Egg-yolkshttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287720#deficiency https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-biotin-supplement#6
