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.

Men often overlook their health and are generally too lazy to take care of their skin and hair. They find it difficult to follow a particular health regime and therefore they are more vulnerable to certain health conditions.

Including dietary supplements in your daily routine is one of the best ways to boost your health and biotin is a perfect supplement for men. It doesn’t only help to maintain the physical health of men but is also beneficial for their skin and hair.

Follow the article below to know more about biotin and its health benefits for men.

BIOTIN

Biotin also known as vitamin B7 and vitamin H belongs to the vitamin B family. It is a water-soluble vitamin that can’t be stored by your body and needs to be consumed in diet.

Like other B vitamins, Biotin also helps to convert food into energy i.e. converts carbohydrates into glucose and glucose into ATPs. It is involved in the metabolism of fats and proteins as well.

A sufficient amount of biotin within your body is essential for keeping your skin, hair, nails, liver, and nervous system healthy.

As your body cannot store biotin it is necessary to eat foods that are rich sources of biotin. Following is a list of food items that can help you obtain your daily dose of vitamin B7 or biotin:

• Eggs
• Liver
• Salmon
• Sweet potatoes
• Soybeans
• Whole grains
• Almonds
• Pecans
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms

BIOTIN DEFICIENCY

Biotin deficiency is a rare phenomenon as it is a vitamin present in a variety of foods that we consume on daily basis. However, following are some of the conditions in which a person can become biotin deficient:

1. Pregnancy – Women become deficient of vitamin B7 during pregnancy due to the increase in demand of all nutrients including biotin.
2. Biotinidase deficiency – It is a genetic disorder in which individuals lack the enzymes necessary to release free biotin into the body.
3. Alcohol abuse – Chronic alcohol consumption inhibits biotin absorption from the intestines resulting in its deficiency.
4. Consumption of raw eggs – There is a protein called avidin found in raw egg whites. This protein inhibits the absorption of biotin by binding with it. Therefore, it is advised to eat cooked eggs as the process of cooking deactivates avidin protein.
5. Dieting – When you eat only a limited amount of food then you are more likely to experience nutritional deficiencies such as biotin deficiency.
6. Medications – Different therapeutic drugs can impair biotin absorption and can lead to low levels of biotin in your body.

SYMPTOMS OF BIOTIN DEFICIENCY

Biotin is responsible for different metabolic functions and its deficiency can lead to multiple symptoms some of which are listed below:

• Hair loss
• Red rash around mouth, nose, and eyes
• Dry eyes
• Numbness and tingling sensation
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BIOTIN FOR MEN

Hair loss, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes are some of the health issues that are more commonly seen in males. Biotin regulates your metabolism and helps you maintain different aspects of your health.

Following is the description of the different benefits that biotin supplements provide to male consumers:

HAIR GROWTH

Alopecia or hair loss is a very common condition among men. It can be due to age, genetics, hormonal disturbances, and several other factors.

The main structure of hair is made of a protein known as keratin. Biotin plays a key role in the synthesis of keratin. Hence, people who have biotin deficiency begin to lose their hair.

Daily consumption of biotin supplements can help men to fight alopecia and prevent further hair loss. It will also make your hair healthier, thicker, and stronger.

HEALTHY SKIN

Biotin is one of those vitamins that play a key role in maintaining healthy skin. People with biotin deficiency often experience red, scaly rashes, particularly around the mouth, nose, and eyes.

Biotin supplements ensure a healthy metabolism and in turn, your skin looks more youthful. Biotin supplements may also improve the symptoms of psoriasis.

PROTECTS HEART

Heart diseases are more common in men than women. Biotin has a protective effect on your heart. It improves blood flow, lowers the level of low-density lipoprotein, and increases the level of high-density lipoprotein.

All these factors particularly high-density lipoprotein also known as good cholesterol lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases in men.

PROMOTES BRAIN HEALTH

Men are also more likely to experience depression and other mental health issues. Biotin or vitamin B7 plays important role in regulating the normal functions of your brain.

Biotin is also needed for the synthesis of the myelin sheath which is essential for the protection of neurons and for the timely conduction of signals to and from the brain.

Biotin supplementation may also help with the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in which nerves of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes are effective due to loss or damage to the myelin sheath.

REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Diabetes is a very common health issue among men and is considered a risk factor for multiple diseases. Type 2 diabetes occurs due to the impairment of insulin function and leads to high blood sugar levels.

It is very crucial to maintain these blood sugar levels as chronically elevated sugar levels can damage your eyes, kidneys, heart, and even your brain.

Biotin or vitamin B7 increases insulin production in your body and consequently helps to reduce high blood sugar levels.

BOOSTS IMMUNITY

A healthy immune healthy system is integral to an individual's overall wellbeing. Particularly within the immune system, white blood cells play an important role in preventing us from different kinds of infections.

Biotin is essential for the production of an adequate amount of white blood cells needed by your body. A person with biotin deficiency might have low white blood cells count and may become more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Consumption of biotin supplements ensures a sufficient amount of white blood cells within your body and boosts your immunity against different pathogens.

REPAIRS TISSUES AND MUSCLES

Men are more athletic than women. Many of them are also gym freaks and often hurt their muscles during sports and exercise.

Biotin has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiallergic properties which prevent infections in damaged tissues and muscles and reduce inflammation within them. As a result, your tissues and muscles repair at a much quicker pace.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE AND SIDE EFFECTS

The typical dose of biotin for adult men is about 30 mcg per day. Within this limit, biotin supplements are well tolerated and do not cause any adverse effects.

However, the prolonged use of excessive amounts of biotin can sometimes cause the following side effects:

• Although biotin helps to keep your skin healthy too much consumption can lead to skin rashes and acne.
• Prolonged excessive use of biotin can reduce the levels of vitamin C within your body which results in decreased immune system activity.
• The use of biotin above the recommended limit can also interfere with the release of insulin and may cause liver problems.
• Digestive problems can also arise as a result of excessive consumption of biotin supplements.
• Persistently elevated levels of biotin may lead to vitamin B6 deficiency and cause neurological issues.
• Too much biotin may also burden your kidneys by significantly increasing the amount of urine production.

PRECAUTIONS

Biotin is considered safe to use and provides multiple health benefits however it has some limitations. One of which is that biotin consumption can alter the results of laboratory investigations.

Biotin supplementation can interfere with the test to determine thyroid hormone levels. As a result, it often hampers the diagnosis of Graves' disease and hypothyroidism.

Biotin also alters the results of troponin levels which are crucial in heart attack patients. It can interfere in the measurement of vitamin D levels as well.

Hence, it is important to inform your doctor about biotin supplementation before going for any laboratory investigations.

INTERACTIONS

There are no proven interactions between therapeutic drugs and biotin however few medications have the potential to lower the levels of biotin in your body.

Antibiotics and anticonvulsant are two classes of drugs that may cause a drop in biotin levels and hence it is advised to speak to your doctor about your medications and dietary supplements.

IN A NUTSHELL

Nowadays men are more conscious about their health and physical appearance than they were in the past. This has led to an increase in the demand for different products aimed at improving the health status of men.

One such product is the biotin supplement. It helps men to take care of their physical appearance as it makes their skin healthier and promotes hair growth. It is also beneficial for a healthy heart and brain and boosts immunity as well.

It is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider before starting biotin supplements especially if you are taking medications for any underlying health condition.

Here you can check out Vorst’s premium supplement Hair Growth Formula with Biotin 60 capsules.

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547751/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28130485/