PREVENT HAIR LOSS EFFECTIVELY
E-mail

For every problem involving bodily issues, there are several factors which influence them. The same goes for hair loss and the causes. While many causes have been listed earlier, several times, yet a new cause erupts every time someone researches on them. While heredity and other functional problems definitely cause problems leading to hair fall, some nutritional issues are also linked with this ravaging disorder. Biotin, often known as Vitamin H or Vitamin B7, is one of most deciding factors when it comes to hair growth and health. Though few are aware of this fact, a deficiency of Biotin, though extremely rare in occurrence, might result in hair fall and poor, brittle hair. Before getting into the extremities of biotin, let us first understand the basics involving biotin, its usage, function and relation with hair loss.

What is Biotin?

biotin and hair loss
Belonging to the B group of vitamins, Biotin is a major factor that leads to proper formation of fatty acids and glucose in the body, thus enabling the formation of required production of the energy in our bodies. This is not all. Biotin is a water soluble vitamin, comprising of an ureido (tetrahydroimidizalone) ring conjoined with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. Covering our daily requirements, an intestinal bacteria sitting in our intestines helps in synthesizing biotin, though in small amounts. Further, the body too acts like scavengers, recycling the bodily wastes and consuming all the biotin present there. Biotin also helps in assimilating and metabolizing the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in our body. Found naturally in all food, deficiency of biotin is hard to find. Usually, it is noticed that people on a high diet of egg whites, alcohol etc develop this phenomenon of low or deficient biotin in the body. The basic fact behind this is that egg white is highly enriched in protein called Avidin, which links itself with biotin tightly, not leaving biotin free for usage by the hair, skin or body functions. Some of the good food supplements for biotin happen to be bananas, egg yolk, liver, mushrooms, and nutritional yeast and so on.

It's Usage
As explained earlier, due to its help and boost to the metabolism in our body, Biotin is extremely necessary for the production of fatty acids, cell growth, metabolism of amino acids and fats etc. Furthermore, it helps in the citric acid cycle, which is when the biochemical energy gets generated, while undergoing aerobic respiration. In addition to the above facets, biotin also serves in transferring carbon dioxide to the body functions and carboxylaze enzymes which are comprised of carbon dioxide. Biotin is also helpful in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels amongst those suffering from diabetes, while also helping in the strengthening of hair and nails. Many cosmetics product, for the same reason, comprise of biotin when treating skin and hair problems.

Furthermore, Biotin is known to be used effectively in treating problems like acne, eczema, brittle nails, diaper rash, cradle cap or hair loss amongst children or adults alike.

Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency
Usually, biotin deficiency comes up in the form of skin or hair problems. The patients suffering from Biotin Deficiency may face symptoms like dry skin, Seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, rashes like redness developing around the corners of the mouth or near the mouth (erythematous periorofacial macular rash), fine and brittle hair, hair loss, baldness. While these are only the initial symptoms of the biotin deficiency in our bodies, if left untreated, this might take an ugly turn. People who do not recognize biotin deficiency as a disorder might later develop problems like mild depression, profound lassitude or somnolence in extreme cases, a change in the mental status of the person, muscular pains and cramps (myalgias) though generalized in nature, hyperesthesias and paresthesias. Perosis, where the shortening and thickening of bones occur; FLKS, which is fatty liver and kidney syndrome; and hepatic steatosis are also some of the symptoms of the deficiency of biotin in our body. Further, if biotin deficiency is completely ignored, it might take on a fatal form.

Who suffers from Biotin deficiency?
As explained before, people who eat excessive amounts of raw egg whites are most likely to suffer from biotin deficiency. Alcohol and smoking too comes in the way to biotin processing and hinders body metabolism. Biotin is also reported to be running low amongst people who have undergone partial gastronomy, are suffering from achlorhydria, burn patients, epilepsy, old age and athletes. Meanwhile, biotin levels may also fall during the pregnancy and lactation period in the life of women. Sometimes, people are born with the metabolism disorder and the requirement for biotin is increased here. When biotin is not given in ample supply, such people also tend to suffer from biotin. Furthermore, a few antibiotics also have some effect on the intestinal bacteria which helps in secretion and assimilation of biotin in our body. When this happens, the bacteria are unable to assimilate biotin leading to biotin deficiency.

Treatment
Increasing the intake of biotin rich food and nutrients will help in satiating the symptoms of biotin deficiency. Further, if the deficiency is the result of nutritional disorder, setting the diet right, like reducing the intake of egg white and increasing the intake of egg yolk, will help. While, increasing the biotin levels might involve intake of high amounts of calories and food, one can also opt of biotin supplements in the form of medicines and doses, which are readily available on counter.

The US Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine has a set recommended intake doses depending on the age group of the sufferer. A daily Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 micro grams in adults is termed as ample in normal course. Amongst kids the dose comes down to 20 to 25 micro grams per day.

There are several shampoos and cosmetic products too which come with biotin as their constituent. Though it is not yet verified if biotin is successfully absorbed when applied orally, many people have had effect when using these biotin and silica shampoos.

Biotin Deficiency and hair loss
Many doctors prescribe usage of biotin along with other hair loss treating medicines like minoxidil, proscar etc. Biotin is the main nutritive agent for the hair and the nails. Many scientists and doctors have gone to the extent of terming biotin as food for hair. With such significance, biotin deficiency most surely falls hard on hair and hair growth. Alopecia and loss of hair growth etc are all the resultants of biotin deficiency. Intake of biotin not only helps in strengthening the hair, it also adds to the body of the hair, making hair thicker and stronger. Further, biotin also helps in adding onto the elasticity of the hair, making breakage a thing of the past.

With so many positive action of biotin on hair and preventing hair loss, who wouldn't want to make biotin a part of their daily intake?
 
Please register or login to add your comments to this article.