Biotin For Hair Growth

Real quick..I'm procrastinating my Fashion Week post..

I started feeling like my hair was thinning. Moving to a new city is fun but also stressful. Stress, diet change, medications, aging can all be causes of thinning hair. Hair loss can also be caused by clogged pores in the scalp from waxy shampoos/conditioners/products. I've also found that more flexible scalps (not tight) have thicker hair. So moisturizing your scalp with stimulating/minty conditioners can also help like Pureology or ColorProof Hydrateing line in the purple bottles. Anyway..back to business. One lifestyle change you can make is adding more biotin to your diet. The only negative I've heard from a professional waxer and a few of my clients is that not only does it make your hair grow faster and fuller it also makes all of your body hair grow more. So..pros/cons..I'm not planning to stay on it forever..But, for the time being I'm adding biotin to my daily routine. 

Hair Tip of the Day

Biotin is a vitamin that is found in small amounts in numerous foods.

Biotin is used for preventing and treating biotin deficiency associated with pregnancy, long-term tube feeding, malnutrition, and rapid weight loss. It is also used orally for hair loss, brittle nails, skin rash in infants (seborrheic dermatitis), diabetes, and mild depression.

How does it work?

Biotin is an important component of enzymes in the body that break down certain substances like fats, carbohydrates, and others.

There isn’t a good laboratory test for detecting biotin deficiency, so this condition is usually identified by its symptoms, which include thinning of the hair (frequently with loss of hair color) and red scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Nervous system symptoms include depression, exhaustion, hallucinations, and tingling of the arms and legs. There is some evidence that diabetes could result in biotin deficiency.

www.webmd.com

Biotin Side Effects

• Acne. Getting too much biotin in your system increases your risk of developing cystic acne on the chin and jawline. The reason why this occurs is unknown, but it is found that the acne fades a few weeks after you stop using biotin supplements. Make sure you take doses of biotin that are less than 2500 mcg or less each day and drink plenty of water while using biotin supplements to reduce your risk of developing cystic acne. You may need to experiment with different doses until you find the amount that works best with your skin.
• Allergies. Allergic reactions to biotin are not common, but they are still possible. People that have known allergies to vitamin B12 cobalamin or cobalt tend to be allergic to biotin as well. If you are suffering from an allergic reaction to biotin you may feel nausea, develop an itchy rash, tightness or pain in your chest and swelling of the throat and face. If you start to develop these symptoms call your doctor for help immediately as some of these developments can be fatal.
• Miscarriage. If you are taking high doses of biotin while you are trying to get pregnant it can increase your risk of suffering a miscarriage. The reasoning behind this is not clear, and no tests have been performed on humans to better determine the likelihood of this risk. Talk to a medical professional before taking biotin while pregnant to ensure your safety.
• Interactions. Biotin negatively interacts with anti-seizure medications and medications that help lower cholesterol, causing these medications to work less effectively. While biotin is helpful in regulating your metabolism and blood sugar levels, it can have a distinct effect on the overall blood glucose level in your body. If you are taking medications like cholesterol medication or anticonvulsants or treating a condition like diabetes, taking biotin can have an impact on your symptoms. It is rare that people have a life-threatening experience while taking biotin. There is only one recorded case where a woman that suffered from heart and lung condition known as eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion developed life threatening conditions while taking vitamins B5 and B7 at high doses. After she stopped using these supplements her symptoms stopped. It is currently not known what role each of these vitamins or the combination of the two had in her symptoms.

Biotin Benefits

Although taking too much biotin may have potential side effects, biotin is one of the most vital nutrients in the B-vitamin complex, helping you promote growth and overall health. This nutrient carries carbon dioxide in the tricarboxylic acid cycle or TCA cycle. This helps your body convert protein, fat and carbohydrates into glucose energy to promote a better functioning metabolism. Biotin also helps you maintain the look and health of your hair and nails, preventing them from becoming brittle and dull. Diabetics find that biotin can help them manage their symptoms, as do those that suffer from depression or high cholesterol. Biotin can help you metabolize carbohydrates more effectively, helping you to manage your blood sugar levels.

www.md-health.com