new thread
Here's an article that I thought might be of interest to some of you. However, the dose stated below (5-8 milligrams, 2 times per day) seems quite high, and is recommended for those who are trying to halt active hair loss. Most biotin supplements I've seen come in 1 mg tablets, with a recommended dosage of "one tablet, one or more times per day, with meals." If you're going to try this to support hair growth, as opposed to attempting to slow down or stop active hair loss, I'd suggest 1-3 tablets per day, with meals. It's water soluble, so you'll pee out whatever your body doesn't use. --Val
Hair Loss: Biotin is Food for Your Hair
By Antoinette Boulay
Biotin plays a significant part in the prevention of hair loss. Most nutritionists agree that biotin is one of the important vitamins for supporting hair growth. It is also commonly advised to take biotin to supplement medical treatments such Minoxidil or Propecia.
A deficiency of biotin may cause hair to become frail and unhealthy, and hair breakage, which may result in hair loss. Biotin also keeps your skin and nails healthy as well as being an important element of new hair growth.
Supplements are sometimes needed to return biotin levels to normal, but it is recommended to include biotin regularly in your diet. Two foods containing good quantities of biotin are liver and egg yolks. You would have to eat thousands of calories worth daily to get enough for your hair needs, which is why I would also suggest biotin supplements.
Foods full of biotin include brewer's yeast, green peas, oats, soybeans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, green peas, bulgur and brown rice. In terms of the egg yolks, your body's ability to digest and assimilate biotin decreases with high intake levels of protein. Biotin binds easily to proteins, making it unavailable to your body, which in turn causes biotin deficiency and hair loss. Try to steer clear of raw eggs in your diet, and cut down on protein powders and bars. Use one of the many shampoos that contain biotin and silica.
Additionally, those with type A blood don't have the ability to fully absorb B vitamins. Biotin is classified as a Vitamin B, so if you have Type A blood, adding higher doses of 5-8 mg twice daily will be needed to help prevent hair loss. At this time, there are no known side effects at this dosage level.
People suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD and who are taking antacids may absorb biotin less and hair loss may occur as a result. Therefore watch your use of over-the-counter antacids if you are worried about hair loss.
I think the author's statement regarding protein could be misconstrued. Remember that hair IS protein, and that a diet that includes adequate amounts of protein is essential for good health, including maximizing one's hair growth. A daily intake of 0.5 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight is sufficient for most people... 0.8 to 1.0 gram per pound of bodyweight is more appropriate for athletes or people who are very active.
--Val
Hey Man,
Great information. Very good suggestions too!
BTW, when are you going to ptrovide an update picture? How long is your hair now?
Peace,
VJ
Hi VJ,
Glad you liked the article. Personally, I've begun taking 2 mg of biotin daily. Even if it doesn't really make a difference with hair growth, as a B-vitamin, it also boosts energy levels and aids in normal immune function. Can't hurt, right? At about $6 for a 50-day supply, I figured it was worth a shot.
I've been holding off on posting an update, having suffered a bout of temporary insanity in August 2008, when I shaved my head after losing a close friend to brain cancer. I mentioned this in a post recently and don't really want to write about it exhaustively now, so let me just say this: It didn't bring him back... it didn't make me feel any better... IT WASN'T WORTH IT. Anyway, I've been growing steadily since then, and was planning on waiting until I hit 12 months to post an update, but since it's starting to look a bit shaggy now, I just might have to start my monthly pictures again.
--Val
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I started taking biotin after a bout of severe shedding last summer and autumn. To save money, I buy the 5 milligram capsules. I open the capsules and divide the contents of each into 7 to 10 doses. Even 1/10 of a capsule has 0.5 milligrams of biotin. A bottle of 100 will give me 700 to 1000 doses. The RDA is 0.3 milligrams per day. I do get some biotin from food already so I felt that I am taking enough of it.
After reading this, I may consider dividing the capsules into maybe 5 doses of 1 milligram each. That would be 333% of RDA.
Scott
I just started taking biotin yesterday, in extreme mega doses. But not for hair, but maybe I will get some benefit. For many years I haven't really liked the way my hair liked, and I suspect that maybe I had a biotin deficiency.
Apparently a side effect of the disease I had is very low level of acidophilus bacteria in the stomach. I found out recently that acidophilus produces biotin. Biotin also is supposed to help control the candida I have so I started taking mega doses of it.
Hopefully it will help my hair and my stomach too!