Biotin for Hair Growth

May 3, 2021
Updated: December 29, 2021
0 view(s)

Biotin (Vitamin B7) is essential for hair growth. Biotin deficiencies create hair loss. Supplementing with biotin will help hair grow in those that have a deficiency. Bitoin has not been shown to help hair growth in those without a deficiency.

biotinmyhairthinning

"Signs of biotin deficiency include skin rashes, hair loss, and brittle nails "
(National Institute of Health)


Image

Determine whether you have a biotin deficiency

If your hair has been thinning, chances are you may have a biotin deficiency. Doctors look for hair thinning as well as other symptoms of bitotin deficiency like loss of hair color and red scaly rashes around the face. Other symptoms can include loss of energy, depression, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs. Biotin deficiency was found in 38% of women with hair loss.

biotin hair thinning
Image

Get a medical exam to test for other issues

Get tested for other nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional issues like iron deficiency can also contribute to hair loss. Ask your doctor about other medical issues that reduce biotin availability: gastrointestinal disease, endocrine/ thyroid diseases, diabetes and severe emotional distress. These must be resolved in order to address hair loss.

Image
Image

Select a biotin with high availability

If you have a biotin deficiency, studies show that biotin supplementation will help hair growth. Studies show that biotin supplementation will work if the biotin is bioavailable in the body.

Sports Research Biotin
Image

Take note of medications causing biotin deficiencies

Certain medications stop biotin from working including isotretinoin taken for acne, antibiotics, or antiepileptic.

Image
Image

Take caution of biotin interactions with medications/supplements

There are also medications that may have reactions when taken with biotin such as medications that are changed by the liver - fluvoxamine (Luvox), clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), tacrine (Cognex), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), theophylline, zileuton (Zyflo), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal) zolmitriptan (Zomig), etc. Also, Alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin B5 decrease absorption when taken with biotin.

Biotin and vitamin B5 taken together can each reduce the effectiveness of each and it is not advisable. There are no known adverse reactions to taking too much biotin.

Image
Image

Don’t smoke, drink or eat egg whites

Smoking and excessive alcohol affects biotin effectiveness. Also, it is important to stop eating raw egg whites as there is a glycoprotein in egg whites which binds with biotin making it ineffective.

biotin problem smoking
Image

Consider other supplements for hair

Another supplement to consider for hair might be melatonin which was shown in a study by Fischer et al to influence human hair growth. Studies also indicate hair growth improvement with supplements of iron, thiamine nitrate, pantothenic acid, l-cystine and medicinal yeast.

Image
[1] Int J Trichology. 2016 Apr-Jun;8(2):73-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.188040.
Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss.
Trüeb RM(1).

Did you like this post?
0
Comments
Leave your comment
Your email address will not be published