Biotin Q & A - All You Need To Know About this Vital Vitamin

Contents:

• What Is Biotin
• Does it really make your hair grow?
• How much is too much?
• Which brand is the best?
• I heard that it causes acne. Is that really true?
• What if I’m not a fan of pills? How else can I get my Biotin intake?
• Final thoughts

What Is Biotin

We can’t talk about Biotin* without getting a little science-y, so with that said, let’s get right into it. It is also known as vitamin B7 is a vitamin H (coenzyme R) water-soluble B vitamin. Of course, there are many pills and vitamins out there that contain this ingredient.

Biotin is basically a B complex vitamin that helps with your metabolism and helps your body process energy. Some people take it due to deficiency or to grow hair and nails and yes, it can do wonders for your hair, but it can also be harmful in some ways – that’s is only if you do not take the correct precautions and do not have enough knowledge about it.

At this point, it makes sense to mention that before you take Biotin, you should consult your doctor because if you are taking other medication, it can weaken the effects of that medication.

I’m sure you have questions, right? No problem! Let’s answer them for you.

Does it really make your hair grow?

Yes and no. Yes, it does contribute to hair growth. When you take this vitamin, it reacts with your cell enzymes and produces amino acids, which are stepping stones for the build-up of protein.

Your hair contains keratin (protein), therefore consuming anything which contributes to that causes hair growth. Now, your lovely strands grow each month naturally, which is where the answer “no” can be put into play. Your hair will grow regardless, but Biotin will boost that growth by providing extra nutrients to help that hair growth which is very helpful for those with slow growing hair.

How much is too much?

According to USDA, you cannot overdose on Biotin. Take too much and your very intelligent body will just get rid of the excess in your urine. Dosage is a very individual thing. People who live in vitamin-rich soil and eat a lot of plants that contain biotin will probably get enough from food alone, however us in the western world may struggle to get our daily recommended intake.

How much is sufficient for you depends on your level of deficiency with your regular diet which differs on a case by case basis. All this means that the dosage taken won’t really necessarily determine how much hair growth you gain. For example, just because you’re taking 10,000 mcg daily, it does not mean that you will have an advantage over someone else taking 5,000 mcg daily.

Which brand is the best?

It is said that there are brands which are far better than others, but that really biotin is biotin is biotin is biotin. Geddit? It is really up to YOU which brand you decide to go with.  What is right for another may not exactly be right for you. If you don’t see any differences in your hair, skin or nails then move on to another brand.

I heard that it causes acne. Is that really true?

Yes, it can happen. There have been reports of severe acne after a month of taking high doses of this vitamin. Again, everyone’s is different and just because one person broke out due to taking it doesn’t mean you’ll suffer from acne as well, after all, scores of other people take it daily with no problems. Most people should be able to tolerate 5,000mcg pretty well.

Your reaction may also depend on the brand, so it takes a bit of trial and error. A tip to try and avoid acne when taking B7 is to drink a lot of water along with it (increased water intake will do a world of good if you are also looking to improve your skin). Along with water, there are some other steps you can probably take to eliminate the acne all together:

• Start out with low dosages of Biotin if you are prone to breakouts. Try 500 mcg first and if your body reacts well to that, you can move up.
• Get adequate amounts of other vitamins. Vitamin A*, C, E, and Zinc*. These assist in acne treatment and prevention.
• Drink apple cider vinegar*; this can possibly help the breakout before it happens.

If your acne persists, then you should seriously consider stopping your supplementation altogether.

What if I’m not a fan of pills? How else can I increase my Biotin intake?

Well, you will be glad to know that there are many options for those of you who hate swallowing pills. You will find biotin gummies in many delicious flavors that you will love taking each day! Many of them have received some fantastic reviews on Amazon too so you should definitely check them out.

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There are also shampoos, conditioners, and even oils* that contain the vitamin but the jury is still out on whether they perform as well as biotin* taken internally. Some foods that contain Biotin are:

• Mushrooms
• Sweet potato
• Almonds
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Liver
• Salmon
• Avocado
• Raspberries

There are several pros and cons of Vitamin B7. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Pros:

• It improves the health of hair, skin, and nails. It also helps individuals suffering from deficiency. With continued intake, their condition improves over time.
• It also plays a role in bone strength. This is perfect for women going through menopause.
• Taking Biotin with Chromium Picolinate can help individuals with diabetes. It improves blood glucose levels in the obese with Type 2 Diabetes.
• It is said to treat conditions like mild depression, skin rashes, brittle nails, mild depression, and more.
• It helps with hair loss, too.
• It also strengthens nails and hair.
• It helps body process carbon dioxide in cells.
• Helps the body process energy.
• Can aid in weight loss.
• Affordable.

Cons:

• Interacts with some drugs.
• May lead to acne, breakouts, and rashes.
• Possible facial hair.

Final thoughts

Remember to always do complete research on supplements* before you start to take them. Consult your doctor if you have any serious concerns or if you have any illness. Now that that’s done, what do you think? What are you experiences with Biotin? Is there a certain brand you buy? If so, why? Comment below.

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