Biotin & Its Role in Hair Growth

Biotin & Its Role in Hair Growth
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Biotin, also known as vitamin H and vitamin B-7, is part of the B group of vitamins. All B vitamins are essential for healthy hair, providing many benefits, such as promoting growth and improving unhealthy hair. The easiest way to consume biotin on a daily basis is to eat foods that are rich in this nutrient.

Benefits of Biotin On Your Hair

Biotin is responsible for strengthening your hair. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, biotin tends to be recommended if you have weak or brittle hair. Biotin's effects on your hair is why it is regularly added to a selection of cosmetic products for your hair. Biotin helps to keep hair capillaries healthy, which in turn helps to grow hair. Strong hair and healthy capillaries are vital for healthy and normal hair growth. MedlinePlus reports that there is some preliminary evidence that consuming biotin by the mouth either in foods or tablet form can help to reduce hair loss.

Treating Damaged Hair

Biotin also is an essential nutrient for assisting in the repair and treatment of hair that is damaged, such as thin or splitting hair, conditions that are detrimental to normal hair growth. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, biotin might be able to help prevent hair disorders like alopecia, which can result in complete hair loss.

Biotin Deficiency and Hair

A biotin deficiency is rare. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that low intake of biotin might include side effects such as hair loss. For this reason, it is important to have an adequate supply of biotin in your diet. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that children consume somewhere between 12 to 20 micrograms of biotin every day, while adults need 30 micrograms.

Food Sources

Biotin can be found in a large selection of produce, including cooked eggs, whole grains, brewer's yeast, soybeans, pecans, mushrooms, sardines, bananas, nut butters and almonds, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

References

Article reviewed by Shawn Candela Last updated on: Mar 28, 2011

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