Biotin for hair: how this vitamin works and how to take it correctly

Biotin was first discovered and described in 1927. The discovery occurred after an experiment with raw chicken eggs - they were included in large quantities in the diet, and the people who participated in the experiment began to lose hair significantly. The proteins in the eggs were found to react with a certain substance in the body and block its activity. This substance was vitamin B7 - Biotin. That is why it is still used today mainly for strengthening hair, especially in the case of hair loss and thinning, which are directly linked to a deficiency of this vitamin.

Like other B vitamins, it is synthesized by bacteria in the healthy gut. This means that an imbalance in gut flora can lead to a deficiency of many B vitamins, including biotin.

Besides its positive effects on hair, as well as skin and nails, Biotin is involved in other important processes:

• Regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism - it activates the production and breakdown reactions of amino acids and fatty acids;
• Stimulating insulin production - in combination therapy, Biotin can slightly lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.

A vitamin B7 deficiency manifests by:

• Deterioration in the condition not only of the hair but also of the skin, nails and mucous membranes. Hair becomes significantly thinner and falls out, nails break, and the skin reacts to "Biotin starvation" by dullness, increased sensitivity, rashes at the bridge of the nose and corners of the mouth, dryness and other symptoms;
• specific psychological symptoms;
• gastrointestinal disturbances on parenteral nutrition, malabsorption syndrome, after small bowel resection, and in people undergoing hemodialysis.

A Biotin deficiency can be caused by:

• Dysbacteriosis of the gastrointestinal tract, atrophy of its mucosa;
• genetic disorders of metabolism, such as Biotin-associated multiple carboxylase deficiency. This condition is a direct indication for prescribing Biotin;
• unbalanced diet, "strict" diets;
• excessive consumption of sugar substitutes
• smoking (especially in women), alcoholism. Warning. Biotin, like many B vitamins, is poorly absorbed in combination with alcohol;
• long-term treatment with antibiotics and sulphonamides - these drugs destroy the beneficial bacteria in the gut that produce Biotin.

How to take Biotin for hair

Vitamin B7 is involved in the synthesis of keratin - a protein that forms the basis of hair (up to 50% of hair is composed of keratin). It is important to note, however, that hair loss is not only related to a deficiency of Biotin or other micro- and macro-elements (e.g. zinc, sulphur, selenium, vitamin D, E, etc.). The cause can be a hormonal imbalance, a low hemoglobin/ferritin level, immune deficiencies and many others. Therefore, in the case of significant hair loss, it is absolutely necessary to comprehensively investigate the entire body and draw conclusions based on the results alone.

The Biotin dose for hair is calculated in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (µg). For adults, it is generally 2.5 to 5 mg - i.e. 2500 to 5000 µg. In severe cases, up to 10 mg (10,000 µg) of Biotin per day may be prescribed - but this is the maximum permissible dose of vitamin B7 for hair, which should not be exceeded.

Biotin is taken before meals, about half an hour to an hour before.

With what to take Biotin for hair

Most importantly, do not take it with alcohol :) Under the influence of ethanol, vitamin B7 cannot be absorbed. Also, as mentioned above, raw eggs (at least the whites, which contain Avidin) should be excluded from the diet.

To increase effectiveness, Biotin can be combined with other B vitamins: B1, B6, B9 (folic acid), B12.

In addition, the combination with zinc, copper, selenium, Omega-3 PUFAs, amino acids, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), etc. can provide a comprehensive approach to combat hair loss and hair quality deterioration.

Special features and side effects of Biotin

Although this vitamin, like the other representatives of the B vitamin group, belongs to water-soluble substances and is rapidly eliminated from the body, there are nevertheless some specific characteristics.

For example, Biotin can influence the results of some laboratory tests. Firstly, this concerns:

• Thyroid function tests - while taking Biotin, such a test may indicate the presence of Graves' disease (Graves' disease - diffuse toxic goiter). If there are no characteristic symptoms of this disease - it is very likely that the result of the test is distorted by Biotin;
• Troponin test - the level of this protein is usually checked in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The concentration of troponin increases in an infarction, whereas normally it is very low. In combination with the troponin test, other markers of cardiac muscle damage (creatine kinase MB, myoglobin) are also examined. If the results of these additional tests indicate an infarction, but the troponin level is not elevated - this could be due to Biotin administration.

Side effects

Biotin very rarely causes side effects, but these are not excluded - especially with long-term administration of high doses. Side effects may occur in the form of:

• Headache;
• Diarrhea, bloating;
• allergic reactions - itchy skin (including itchy scalp), hives, difficulty breathing, chest pain.

These conditions can occur for many other reasons, but in the case of such 'side effects', Biotin is stopped and symptoms are monitored.

In any case, you should not start taking Biotin for hair loss and pin high hopes on it before a comprehensive diagnosis of the condition has been carried out. Vitamin B7 improves hair structure and strengthens it, but only if the problem is directly related to a deficiency of this vitamin.