Exploring Biotin’s Role in Male Hair Growth: Fact or Fiction?
Posted On: August 2024
One of the most important and leading dietary supplements for promoting hair development is Biotin. This supplement has become more popular among men. This benefits to further hair growth and stop hair loss.
In this article we shall see whether Biotin can help in men’s hair growth and are there any side effects associated to the use.
What is Biotin?
Vitamin B7 is Biotin, of the vitamin B family and it is one of the water soluble vitamin. Vitamin B7 is naturally found in bananas, avocado, nuts, salmon, eggs,
The function of this vitamin is several metabolic processes in our body. The specific function is to transform the food into energy.
Also maintaining healthy skin, nails is also one of the functions. “Haar & Haut” which means “hair & skin” in German, is also known for Vitamin H.
Here are some foods that contain Biotin naturally.
Soybeans, beans, lentils, pecans, almonds, whole grains, mushrooms, cauliflower, egg yolks.
Also, this is available in the form of supplements combining with other vitamins and minerals. Biotin is also built up naturally in gut of our body.
Thinning of hair and some face reactions are seen if Biotin deficiency is noticed.
The substance like carbohydrates, fats and other broken with the help of biotin. Biotin is thus an important part of enzymes in our body.
Deficiency
The deficiency of biotin is uncommon as the nutrient starts originating from your gut. It is also present in many types of food.
Biotinidase regulates free biotin in body. The person who has this deficiency may be at higher risk of mild vitamin shortage. This includes pregnant women, children or alcohol abuse.
Other than this one taking raw egg whites create deficiency of biotin. Avidin is the protein present in raw white. This blocks the biotin absorption and therefore it is necessary to intake boiled eggs.
Hair loss and a scaly, red rash mostly around mouth, eyes, and nose are symptoms of a biotin deficiency.
Biotin and hair growth
Though the link between biotin pills and hair development is debatable, many people have claimed by them.
General hair growth
Because it is involved in the manufacturing of keratin, biotin is crucial for healthy hair development. The primary protein that constitutes hair structure and is responsible for a strong, healthy hair strand is keratin.
Insufficient biotin levels can cause weakening hair and hair loss. However, since the majority of people have appropriate amounts, introducing much more your diet via supplements is probably not going to be helpful.
Despite what the commercials may say, there aren’t many extensive studies that back up the claim that these vitamins encourage hair growth.
In a review published in 2017, biotin pills were found to promote hair growth in people who already had a nutritional shortage. The scientists came to the conclusion that these supplements are ineffective for the general population due to the rarity of this deficiency. Beyond this, there is no proof that taking biotin tablets helps your hair grow.
Male Pattern Baldness
The steady loss of scalp hair is known as male pattern baldness (MPB), also known as male androgenetic alopecia (MAA). By the time they reach the age of 50, 30 to 50 percent of men have MAA, and the majority are looking for solutions to stop future hair loss.
Males with MAA had somewhat relatively low levels of biotin compared to men who had no hair loss, according to a 2019 analysis. The difference, meanwhile, was insufficient to prove a causal relationship among biotin and MAA.
Despite various research in women, there don’t seem to be any clinical trials on biotin supplementation and male hair thinning except from this review.
What Research say ?
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it was discovered that supplementing with a marine protein supplement that contained an unspecified level of biotin dramatically increased hair growth and volume after 90 days in 30 women who felt their hair was thinning.
Although encouraging, it’s unclear whether the participants already had a biotin shortage and whether men would see the same outcomes.
It’s not obvious if biotin had an impact on the outcomes because the supplement also contained other nutrients like zinc, amino acids, and vitamin C that are known to encourage hair growth.
Therefore, although more research is required, it is likely that supplementation would only be necessary in people who have a biotin shortage.
To find out whether or not there are root factors of hair loss, it is essential to talk with a health professional.
Precautions
Although excessive biotin has no known negative side effects, there are potentially serious issues with biotin supplementation.
False laboratory tests
Supplemental biotin is known to interfere with some diagnostic tests that employ biotin-streptavidin technology, and this could produce false-positive results.
Tests that determine the levels of thyroid, hormone, and vitamin D frequently employ this technology. In fact, it has been discovered that biotin makes it difficult to diagnose Graves’ disease and hypothyroidism.
The measurement of erroneous troponin levels, which are used to identify heart attacks, has also been connected to excessive ingestion of this vitamin, which can result in delayed treatment or even death.
Therefore, it’s crucial to let your doctor know if you’re using a biotin supplement and get any diagnostic testing.
Drug interactions
There have been reports of drug interactions involving biotin. The amounts of this vitamin in your body may be lowered by, for example, the seizure drugs carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), and phenobarbital (Luminal).
Although there are few recognized drug problems with these supplements, it’s best to let your healthcare professional know about any supplements you’re taking.
Biotin-Rich Foods
- Egg yolks
Biotins are very abundant in the yolk as it contains iron, phosphorus and vitamins B.
The amount of biotin in a fully cooked egg (50 grammes) is 10 mcg, or about 33% of the DV.
To reduce the likelihood of salmonella contamination and enhance biotin absorption, you should always completely boil eggs. A type of protein avidin is present in egg whites, and if consumed uncooked, it can prevent the absorption of the vitamin biotin.
Eggs can be boiled hard, scrambled, or used to make muffins or waffles, among other baked items.
2. Legumes
Peas, beans, and lentils are examples of legumes that are rich in protein, fiber, and a variety of minerals. Besides this richest source of biotin are soybeans and peanuts.
Just under 5 mcg, or 17% of the DV, of biotin may be found in a 1-ounce (28-gram) portion 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 boiled and then added to stir-fries, baked goods, and entrées and salads as a basis.
3. Nuts and seeds
A good source of fiber, unsaturated fat, and protein is nuts and seeds. Most also include biotin, though the amount varies 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, while 1.5 mcg, or 5% of the DV, are present in a serving of 1/4 cup (30 grammes) of roasted almonds.
Nuts and seeds could be consumed raw, added to salads, cooked with pasta, or stir-fried, or turned into nut and seed butters at home.
4. Liver
The liver has a high biotin content biologically.
The amount of biotin in just 3 ounces (75 grammes) of cooked beef liver is almost 31 mcg, or 103% of the DV.
An even richer source is cooked chicken liver, which contains 138 mcg (or 460% of the DV) per 3-ounce (75-gram) dose.
In conclusion
Popular supplements like biotin promote healthy hair growth.
The majority of people have proper amount of the nutrient as it is commonly present in food and is created by your body, and although baldness is a side consequence of biotin shortage.
Even while sales are surging, there isn’t much evidence to back up taking biotin pills for hair growth, particularly 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.