Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Do biotin supplements help to manage hair loss?

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin [B7] essential for metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and protein .It is also known as vitamin H. Although biotin is consumed by people as a supplement for hair loss ,the vitamin seems to have no great role in hair treatment in people with no biotin deficiencies.The vitamin has many other functions in the body.

Functions of biotin in your body

      Biotin  acts as a co-enzyme for synthesizing fatty acids and amino acids like isoleucine and valine.

Fatty acids  are very essential for mental health & skin health.They can protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

Amino acids are building blocks of proteins which are essential  for cell integrity and function ,hair consistency & growth.Isoleucine amino acid is very important for growth & protein metabolism.Biotin helps isoleucine synthesis in the body .

One research study shows that Isoleucine deficiency was observed in 73.53% of participants with MPHL or male pattern hair loss  and 50% of participants with female pattern hair loss FPHL [ 5].Biotin helps isoleucine synthesis in the body which supports hair growth.

     Biotin plays an important role in normal foetal growth and in maintaining pregnancy. Folic acid also is equally important for foetal development.It is given for women before and during pregnancy to avoid the risk of fetal anomalies. Biotin is also given for nerve pain management, especially in diabetic neuropathy.

     Biotin prevents nerve damage and thus vital for the nervous system.  Biotin may help to reduce neuropathy related to type 2 diabetes, although more researches are needed in this regard.

Studies have suggested that high dose biotin therapy might help improve symptoms in patients having multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system & causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

 There is no recommended daily allowance for biotin. However, biotin does have adequate intake (AI) levels, which are amounts that ensure nutritional adequacy.The Institute of Medicine suggests an AI of 30 mcg per day for adults ages 19 years and over.

                                    SIAHMSR                                        

Who are at risk of biotin deficiency? 

Alcoholism can increase the risk of biotin deficiency as alcohol can block their absorption. Biotin deficiency may cause thinning hair, scaly skin rashes around eyes, nose, mouth and brittle nails. The other risk groups are 

•     Women during pregnancy

•     People receiving prolonged intravenous nutrition

•     Infants who consume breast milk with low amounts of biotin

•     People with weak biotin absorption due to an inflammatory bowel disease or other gastrointestinal tract disorder.

Do biotin supplements help hair loss?

      Biotin supplements are often given for treatment for hair loss and to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. However, evidence showing a benefit from biotin supplementation is inconclusive.

 There is only limited evidence to suggest that  biotin can provide a benefit to hair growth in otherwise healthy people though its use as a hair and nail growth supplement is prevalent and wide spread worldwide.

Biotin may have benefits in those suffering from pathologic brittle hair syndrome or uncombable hair syndrome.Researches are ongoing regarding the management of this condition and role of biotin as biotinidase deficiency is present in this disorder.

No evidence in humans has reported a toxicity of biotin even with high intake.However ,it is not recommended as a supplement useful for hair loss. 

For managing hair loss a balanced diet and other supplements like vitamin E,omega 3 fatty acids are recommended in nutrient  deficient or high risk group populations . Even though no evidence supports biotin supplementation to manage hair loss , you may take biotin rich balanced foods from natural sources. Supplement intake is not indicated .

Biotin  [ Read more ]

Written by dr sanjana vb [copyright]

REFERENCES

1.     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31973013/

2.     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/ 

3.     https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/biotin-vitamin-b7/

4.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30843485/#:~:text=Isoleucine%2C%20as%20one%20of%20the,organs%2C%20cells%20and%20reactive%20substances. 

5.   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5596642/