Biotin is best known vitamin for the health and beauty of skin hair and nails.
What is Biotin? Biotin is a type of vitamin B complex and it is sometimes known as vitamin H (H for hair). Biotin is particularly for anyone who is interested in promoting hair growth and growing thicker hair. Besides, it also ensures the overall health of skin and nails, assisting in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein and maintaining the health of mind and emotional well-being of a person.
Sources of Biotin:
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- Natural sources: Nuts, egg yolk, wheat bran, oat, barley, soy, cauliflower, liver and brewer's yeast. Biotin is also naturally produced in the human body by the good bacteria that lives in our digestive tract.
- Supplements: There are many brands of biotin supplements available in the market. Some supplements include biotin with other vitamin supplements. The recommended daily intake (RDA) of biotin is 300 mcg. However some experts recommend a daily intake of more than 1000mcg per day to get the result in strengthening nails, preventing hair loss and promoting thicker hair. Although this high dosage exceeds the recommended amount, it is not consider as toxic or dangerous as biotin is a water soluble vitamin and can be safely pass out from our body. So far, there is no serious toxicity due to high consumption has been recorded.
Is biotin deficiency common? The answer is no, but there it is a possibility that it can happen. An example of the occurrence of biotin deficiency is when one consumes a lot of raw egg whites. Raw egg whites contain avidin (a sugar and protein-containing molecule (glycoprotein)) that binds with the biotin, thus, preventing biotin to be absorbed by the body unless the egg is fully cooked. This usually happens to body builders as they consume lots of raw eggs in their daily diet.
Some of the common symptoms of biotin deficiency are rashes, dryness or itchiness of skin, brittle nails, grayish skin, muscle ache, depression and lethargy. Lack of biotin will also results in dermatitis and hair loss.
Also, biotin is not easily absorbed through the skin. It needs to be taken internally, rendering biotin shampoo as quite useless.
What are the benefits or effects by taking biotin supplements? Biotin helps the health of our hair by increasing the elasticity of the hair's cortex to prevent breakage, thickens the hair cuticle and diameter of the hair shaft and promotes hair growth. After taking biotin supplements, one may notice stronger hair and nails, faster growing hair and nails, thicker hair, increase of energy and healthier looking skin.
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