Biotin (or vitaminB7) is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes, primarily related to the utilization of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. The name biotin, borrowed from the German Biotin, derives from the Ancient Greek word βίοτος (bíotos; ‘life’) and the suffix “-in” (a suffix used in chemistry usually to indicate ‘forming’). Biotin, or vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that’s a part of the Vitamin B complex — a group of key nutrients needed for healthy metabolic, nerve, digestive and cardiovascular functions.
Biotin benefits appear to help build proteins needed to maintain youthful hair and skin. Vitamin B7 is needed to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails, so when someone experiences a vitamin B7 deficiency, symptoms may manifest in the form of thinning, splitting and brittle hair, or dermatitis that results in dry, irritated skin.
How does biotin help hair growth? Taking a biotin supplement (or “vitamin for hair growth,” as some supplements may be marketed) can help to reverse deficiency in this vitamin and support production or proteins and enzymes that are needed for hair growth. Biotin benefits hair since it’s been shown to help decrease alopecia (hair loss) in adults and to improve protein synthesis and the infrastructure of keratin, which is a protein that makes up hair, skin and nails.
Keep in mind that research shows deficiency in other nutrients, such as zinc, selenium and iron may also contribute to thinning hair, not to mention that many health conditions such as hormonal imbalances/endocrine disorders may be to blame.
According to studies, taking high doses of biotin can also help treat weak hair and brittle nails. In fact, this benefit of vitamin B7 was first discovered when horses were effectively treated with biotin to correct problems with the horses’ hoofs becoming brittle and cracked.
Other biotin benefits include helping to protect skin from acne, fungal infections, rashes and severe dryness and cracking. Like most nutrients, this vitamin is best consumed in it’s eaten form rather than applied topically, but applying topically can also assist in the body’s utilization of nutrients.
We use a synthetically manufactured form of Biotin in our Vitamineral Hair Growth Serum, but biotin can also be found naturally and abundantly in many of the ingredients we use in our product formulations, such as: high quality farm-fresh buttermilk, egg yolks, and goat milk, as well as horsetail and bamboo plant extracts.
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