Biotin for Beard Growth
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Beard culture is flourishing nowadays and there are dozens of companies offering products that claim to promote beard growth. All men cannot grow a full distinguished beard easily and they have to do some measures to promote their facial hair. There are various remedies and treatments to serve humans when it comes to beard growth. Biotin, a vitamin B7 supplement is best known for improving beard growth as it helps promote hair, skin, and nail health.
This article takes a deeper look at biotin supplements and their potential to promote beard growth and general health.
What is Biotin?
Biotin is a vitamin B12 supplement essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Our body cannot synthesize this vitamin however, intestinal flora produces a small amount of biotin and needs to be consumed daily through diet or supplements.
Biotin also helps in the production of keratin, a protein found abundantly in hair, skin, and nail. Certain foods like red meat, mushrooms, yeast, eggs, nuts, seeds, and bananas are good sources of biotin.
According to the Institute of Medicine, the daily recommended intake of biotin is 30 mcg. It is also a nutritional supplement in pregnancy and is essential for embryonic growth.
People can get biotin from foods rich in biotin however, some need it to be supplemented. It is purported that biotin also helps regulate blood sugar levels,
Is Biotin Effective for Beard Growth?
Biotin is highly beneficial for the production of a keratin-a protein found abundantly in hairs. But does biotin supplement can promote beard growth?
There are several studies suggesting the effect of biotin on hair growth but research is limited on biotin's effects on beard growth. Without mentioning beard growth specifically, studies revealed that biotin supplements increase hair thickness and hair growth in people suffering from hair conditions like alopecia.
This study revealed that biotin supplements help promote hair growth in people suffering from vitamin B7 deficiency and do not show significant improvement in hair growth in healthy individuals.
In another study, people with thinning hairs were given biotin supplements or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Results revealed that there was a significant improvement in hair growth of people in the biotin group than placebo.
Decrease in hair, nail, and skin growth occurs due to biotin deficiency, hormonal changes, genetics, diet, and medications. Biotin deficiency not only reduces hair growth but also makes the nails thin and brittle. Though, biotin deficiency is rare and may occur due to a lack of enzyme, biotinidase. Intestinal malabsorption, and excessive use of alcohol, and antibiotics result in biotin deficiency and may affect the central nervous system leading to seizures and impaired vision.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin and is safe to use even in large quantities. Extra biotin is secreted from the body through the urine. There is an extensive need for research on the effectiveness of biotin for beard growth in humans.
Other Benefits
In addition to promoting hair growth and thickness, biotin supplements boost energy levels, help embryo growth, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote skin and nail health.
Help Manage Diabetes
Animal studies showed that taking biotin supplements help regulate blood sugar levels in the body and reduces the risk of diabetes. Another study showed that biotin supplements lower the risk of kidney damage associated with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes.
Promote Skin and Nail Health
Biotin deficiency resulting from certain causes may cause skin, nail, and hair problems. Biotin stimulates the production of keratin protein which help promote skin, hair, and nail growth.
Help In Fetal Development
Vitamin and folic acid are important nutrients essential for pregnancy and fetal growth. It is therefore recommended to take prenatal vitamins which help with embryonic growth. Excessive consumption of biotin may be dangerous in pregnancy should take the recommended amount of this supplement.
Why Take Biotin Supplements?
Biotin deficiency is not so common and results from intestinal malabsorption, and lack of enzymes and medications. Biotin can be obtained from food but is also available in supplement form. There is an extensive need of taking biotin supplements when:
- You experience the early signs of biotin deficiency like abnormal growth of hair and nails.
- Advanced deficiency of biotin leads to impaired vision, seizures, and CNS problems.
- In order to improve hair growth and prevent hair loss and brittle nails.
- When you are conscious about appearance and want to improve your beard growth.
Biotin Rich Foods
In addition to supplements, certain foods can ensure the biotin intake is up to par. There are certain foods that can meet the daily biotin requirement are.
Vegetables like spinach and cauliflower
Nuts and seeds
Legumes
Eggs
Mushrooms
Sweet potatoes and banana
Pork, chicken, and beef
Salmon
Cheese and cow’s milk
Nutritional yeast
In addition to foods and oral supplements, biotin is also found in topical creams, serums, and beard oils. There is limited research on biotin effects on beard growth and more research is needed in this regard.
Possible Risks or Side Effects
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin and is safe to use and extra biotin is excreted from the body through urine.
One of the potential side effects is that it can affect lab tests like thyroids tests resulting in high levels of TSH andT4 levels.
It can also affect the troponin level which is an important marker for the diagnosis of a heart attack.
Moreover, biotin supplements may interact with some medications like anticonvulsants and antipsychotic medications.
Bottom Line
Biotin is vitamin B7 which helps boost energy and stimulate the production of keratin-a protein involved in strengthening hair, nails, and skin. It is purported that biotin supplements help improve beard growth, though research is limited. It helps promote hair growth by increasing the production of keratin. Biotin supplements are safe to use in recommended doses. It is a healthy option to add to your routine and always take the advice of your physician before using these supplements.
Here you can Check out Vorst’s premium Supplement Hair Growth Formula with Biotin 60 Capsules.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757853/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23193625/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726758/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525106/pdf/jn238956.pdf
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2015/841570/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X15000613
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/biotin
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/144/12/1885/4575066