Biotin: A Comprehensive Study

One of the world’s leading dietary supplements made for promoting development is Biotin. Most popular among men, biotin benefits in a way to further your hair growth and prevent hair loss.

In this article we shall see if Biotin can truly help in men’s hair growth and if there are any side effects associated with its use.

What is Biotin?

Biotin is actually just another name for Vitamin B7. Biotin is both Vitamin B and water soluble family.

It is naturally found in foods such as avocados, bananas, eggs, nuts, salmon and more. Also available in the form of supplements, although in a combined state with other vitamins and minerals, biotin is naturally stored and built up in our gut.

The main function of this specific vitamin is to transform the food we eat into energy but it also is to manage several metabolic processes of our body. Your nails and skins become healthy due to this. Many substances like carbohydrates, fats and many others are also broken down with the help of biotin. Hence biotin plays quite an important part in the enzymes of our body.

Biotin Deficiency?

Biotin deficiencies are quite uncommon as the nutrient biotin itself is built up in your gut and is also present in many types of foods you eat on the daily.

Biotinidase, a compound known to regulate the free biotin present in your body. Hence if a person does suffer from a deficiency, they’re at a higher risk of mild vitamin shortage. This can be commonly seen in pregnant women, children or people who alcohol abuse..

If you consume more of the raw eggs there will be a deficiency of Biotin.  Avidin is a protein present in raw egg whites and it can actively block your body’s biotin absorption hence it is necessary to consume eggs boiled instead of raw.

Hair loss and a scaly, red rash around your mouth, eyes and nose are some symptoms of a biotin deficiency. If you do notice any thinning of hair and/or some facial reactions, you may be having a Biotin deficiency although it is advised to visit a doctor and no self-diagnose.

Biotin For Hair Growth In Men

Though the link between biotin supplement/pills and hair development is quite debatable many people do claim they work.

General Hair Growth

Biotin for hair growth in men is actually a crucial component for healthy hair development as it is used in the production of keratin. Keratin is that primary protein that paves away the foundation for your hair structure and is responsible for strong, healthy hair strands.

Lower or insufficient levels of biotin can lead to weakening hair and hair loss. However, since most people have the appropriate amounts of biotin, introducing much more through supplements into your diet may not be helpful.

Despite what most advertisements claim, there aren’t actually very many extensive studies into hair growth and biotin that claim that biotin actually encourages hair growth.

Male Pattern Baldness

Male Pattern Baldness is the process of losing scalp hair in men. It is also known as Male Androgenic Alopecia (MAA) and by the time most men reach the age of 50, most men (about 30 to 50 percent) have diagnosed MAA, and the majority are looking for solutions to reduce or completely stop future hair loss.

It is seen that Males diagnosed with MAA have somewhat of a relatively lower level of biotin compared to men who have no hair loss. Yet, the difference is quite insufficient and insignificant to prove a true relation between biotin and MAA

What Does Research Say?

During the placebo-controlled study it was researched that when supplementing a marine protein supplement which contained random amount of biotin increases the hair growth and the hair volume after 90 days in women for those who felt that the hair were thinning.

Although an encouraging discovery, it is still quite unclear whether that participants in this study already had a shortage of biotin and whether men would also have the same outcomes.

It is also not obvious whether biotin had an impact on their outcomes because the supplement also contained many other nutrients such as zinc, many amino acids and Vitamin C which are helpful in hair growth.

Therefore, although more thorough research is required it is likely that supplementation is only necessary for people with a biotin shortage.

If you’re looking for more information on the root factors of hair loss, it is recommended you talk with a healthcare professional.

Precautions For Biotin Usage

Although an excess amount of biotin has no known negative side effects, there still may be potentially serious issues with biotin supplementation.

False Laboratory Tests

Biotin supplements are known to interfere with diagnostics tests that use biotin-streptavidin technology and can cause the production of false-positive results.

This technology is employed by test that are used to determine your levels thyroid, hormones and Vitamin D and it has been discovered that biotin can make it difficult to diagnose Graves’ disease as well as hypothyroidism.

The measure of erroneous troponin levels, which can be used to identify heart attacks is also related to excess ingestion of Biotin and hence can result in misdiagnosis, delayed treatment and even death.

Therefore, it is crucial to inform your doctor if you are using any forms of supplement before getting any diagnostic testing.

Drug Interactions

There have also been many reports of drug interactions that involve biotin. Your Body’s biotin levels may be lowered by the usage of, seizure drugs such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Primidone (Mysoline) and Phenobarbital (Luminal).

Although there are very few recognized drug problems with these supplements, it is best to let your doctor know about any supplements you’re taking.

Biotin-Rich Foods

Egg yolks

Biotins are extremely abundant in egg yolks as they contain iron, phosphorus and vitamin B

The amount of biotin in a fully cooked egg (about 50 grams) is 10 MCG or about 33% of the DV.

To reduce the likelihood of getting salmonella and increase biotin absorption, you should always consume completely boiled eggs as raw egg whites contain a protein avidin which when consumed raw can prevent or reduce absorption of biotin.

Legumes

Beans, Peas, and Lentils are some examples of legumes. They are rich in protein, fibre and also a variety of minerals. Other sources such as peanuts and soybeans are also good sources.

Just under 5 MCG, or about 17% of the DV, of biotin may be found in about 28 grams of roasted peanuts.

A 3/4-cup (100-gram) meal of whole soybeans included 19.3 mcg of biotin, or 64% of the DV, according from one research here on biotin content of common Japanese foods.

Typically, legumes are first boiled and then added to stir-fries, baked goods, and entrées and salads as a basis.

Nuts and Seeds

Another good source of fibre, unsaturated fats and proteins are nuts and seeds and most also include a good amount of biotin though it may vary depending on the type.

2.6 mcg, or 10% of the DV, of biotin are present in a serving of 1/4 cup (20 grammes) of roasted sunflower seeds, You get 1.5mcg which is also 5% of the DV and it is present in the one-fourth cup of roasted almonds that is 30 grammes.

Nuts and Seeds may be consumed raw, added to salads, cooked with pasta or simply stir fried. They can also be turned into nut and seed butters in your own homes

Liver

Animal livers also contain a high amount of biotin content.

The amount of biotin in just 3 ounces (75 grammes) of cooked beef liver is almost 31 mcg, or 103% of the DV.

One rich source of biotin is cooked chicken liver, which contains about 138 MCG (or 460% of the DV) per 75 grams consumed.

In Conclusion

Popular supplements like Biotin may promote healthy hair growth but a majority of people already have a proper and sufficient amount of it in them as it is commonly found in daily consumed food and is also created by your body.

Even while the sales of such supplements are growing, there is no active proof or evidence suggesting that biotin pills should be consumed for healthy hair growth especially in men.

Therefore, it’s better to avoid these supplements and choose meals that are high in biotin if you’re looking for a remedy for healthier hair.