Summary: <p>Let’s talk about biotin for hair and skin. You may have even noticed biotin shampoo for hair loss—does it really work? </p> <p><br></p> <p>Biotin is vitamin B7. Biotin is especially important for pregnant women and children. A deficiency of biotin in a pregnant mother could lead to malformations in the growth and development of the child. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Biotin acts as a coenzyme in the formation of proteins. There are a lot of different fats and proteins that make up body tissue. It’s a helper enzyme in the formation of myelin, hair, and skin. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The microbes in the large intestine make just as much biotin as you get from your diet. But, the majority of biotin you get from your diet is not in a free form—the biotin made by your microbes is. Anything that destroys your microbes, especially antibiotics, can have a negative effect on biotin. </p> <p> </p> <p>The RDA for biotin is not fully agreed upon, and it’s difficult to get biotin from your diet. However, a few foods rich in biotin are egg yolks, liver, kidneys, and certain cheeses. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The top causes of biotin deficiency are: </p> <p> • Raw egg whites </p> <p> • The keto diet (causes the demand for biotin to increase) </p> <p> • Anti-seizure medication </p> <p> • Smoking </p> <p> • Alcohol </p> <p> • Lowered stomach acid </p> <p> • Pregnancy or breastfeeding </p> <p> • High amounts of exercise </p> <p> • Age </p> <p> • Genetic issues </p> <p><br></p> <p>If you’re experiencing symptoms like keto rash, hair thinning, or hair loss on keto, it could be because of a lack of biotin in the diet. </p> <p><br></p> <p>A subclinical deficiency in biotin could lead to thinning hair, hair loss, or skin rashes. However, symptoms of a major biotin deficiency can be more severe. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Symptoms of a biotin deficiency: </p> <p> • Alopecia </p> <p> • Eczema </p> <p> • Seizures</p> <p> • Candida </p> <p> • Depression </p> <p><br></p> <p>Biotin cream or shampoo can be absorbed through the skin and may be beneficial for a subclinical biotin deficiency. You may also want to include biotin in your diet and even take a supplement form. </p> <p><br></p>
