What is Biotin?
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin that plays a crucial role in the body's metabolism. It aids in converting nutrients into energy and is essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Biotin supports the production of keratin, a protein that forms the structural foundation of hair and nails.
It also plays a key role in enzymes that help the body break down fats, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. Since there’s no reliable test to measure biotin deficiency, it's typically recognized through symptoms such as thinning hair and a red, scaly rash near the eyes, nose, and mouth. Biotin is naturally present in various foods, including:
- Nuts and seeds
- Dairy products
- Whole grains
- Certain vegetables like spinach and mushrooms
Avg recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for everyday diet is 30mcg for 19+ year olds.
Causes of biotin deficiency
Biotin deficiency is relatively rare in individuals consuming a balanced diet. However, certain factors can lead to deficiency:
- Genetic Disorders: Conditions like biotinidase deficiency impair the body's ability to recycle biotin, leading to deficiency.
- Medical Conditions: Gastrointestinal disorders that impair nutrient absorption, such as inflammatory bowel disease, can lead to biotin deficiency.
- Medications: Long-term use of certain medications, antibiotics can interfere with biotin absorption or metabolism.
- Lifestyle Factors: Chronic alcohol consumption and smoking have been associated with decreased biotin levels.
- Physiological States: Pregnancy and lactation increase biotin requirements, and deficiency during these periods is not uncommon.
Symptoms of Biotin Deficiency
Biotin deficiency can be understood through various symptoms:
- Hair Loss (Alopecia): Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp and body.
- Skin Issues: Red, scaly rashes, particularly around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Neurological Symptoms: Depression, lethargy, hallucinations and numbness or tingling in the extremities.
- Other Signs: Conjunctivitis, brittle nails and in severe cases, developmental delays in infants.
Biotin Deficiency and Hair Loss
Hair loss is one of the major signs of biotin deficiency. Biotin supports the production of keratin, a protein integral to hair structure. A deficiency can disrupt keratin production, leading to weakened hair shafts and increased hair shedding.
A study involving 541 women experiencing hair loss found that 38% had low biotin levels. Among these, 11% had identifiable causes for deficiency, such as gastrointestinal diseases or medication use and 35% had associated seborrheic dermatitis. This suggests that biotin deficiency can contribute to hair loss, particularly when other risk factors are present.
How to diagnose and treat biotin deficiency?
Diagnosing biotin deficiency typically involves:
- Clinical Evaluation: Assessing symptoms and medical history.
- Laboratory Tests: Measuring serum biotin levels, although these can fluctuate and may not always reflect true biotin status.
Treatment includes:
- Supplementation: Administering biotin supplements, with dosages varying based on the severity of deficiency. For inherited disorders, higher doses (10,000 to 30,000 µg/day) may be necessary.
- Dietary Adjustments: Increasing intake of biotin-rich foods.
- Addressing Underlying Causes: Managing medical conditions or adjusting medications that contribute to deficiency.
Should you take biotin for hair loss?
While biotin supplementation can benefit individuals with a confirmed deficiency, evidence supporting its efficacy in promoting hair growth in healthy individuals is limited. Unnecessary supplementation may not yield significant benefits and could interfere with certain laboratory tests, leading to inaccurate results.
Therefore, it's advisable to consult a dermatologist before starting biotin supplements, especially if you're experiencing unexplained hair loss. A thorough evaluation can determine whether biotin deficiency is a contributing factor and guide appropriate treatment.
Ref links:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27601860/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26456103/
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-313/biotin
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/