Can a biotin hair supplement help to prevent post-COVID hair loss?

Though the number of COVID-19 cases in India is decreasing, the disease has a number of long-term effects on the body. One of them is uncontrollable hair loss – many people who have recovered from the disease have complaints about hair loss. Scientists have yet to determine the cause of such an occurrence – whether it is caused by the virus, the stress of living in a pandemic, or any deficiency caused by the disease.

However, during the recovery period and even after, it is critical that we keep track of our nutrient needs and overall health in order to control incidents such as hair loss. Biotin is one of the nutrients that promote hair growth and prevents hair loss. We spoke with Shruti Kushwaha, Nutritionist at HealthKart, about the benefits of biotin.

What exactly is biotin and how does it function?
Biotin is a B vitamin that is also known as vitamin B7. It is water-soluble and acts as a catalyst in the conversion of some nutrients into energy. Biotin stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth, and thus plays a role in hair and nail health – a lack of biotin in your body may cause hair loss or brittle nails. Adults require about 30 mcg of biotin per day while breastfeeding women should take 35 mcg per day after consulting with a doctor. While the majority of the requirement can be met through diet, in people with biotin deficiency, taking over-the-counter supplements may help prevent hair loss after COVID recovery.

Biotin-containing foods
Egg yolk, organ meats such as liver or kidney, whole grains and cereals, nuts such as almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts, and nut butter, vegetables such as cauliflower and mushrooms, soybeans and other legumes, and fruits such as bananas and raspberries are all good sources of biotin.

Reduce stress to encourage hair growth.
According to dermatologists, the hair follicle cycle has three stages: growth, resting, and shedding; most people shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day. However, there is usually a two- to three-month delay between a stressful event and the onset of hair loss, which can last up to six to nine months. Pandemic-related stresses have a significant impact on us, including anxiety about contracting the virus, financial stress, concern for ill family members, social isolation, and changes related to working and schooling from home. Before beginning any treatment for manifestations such as hair loss, it is critical to calm the mind.

Biotin’s Other Applications
Biotin helps amino acids carry out normal bodily functions by converting carbohydrates into energy. It is also thought to be beneficial in reducing inflammation, improving cognitive function, lowering blood sugar in diabetics, and increasing HDL or good cholesterol while decreasing LDL or bad cholesterol in our bodies.