Hair loss after COVID? Can Biotin Help?

New Delhi: Though India is witnessing a decline in COVID-19 cases, the disease has left many ill effects on the body. Uncontrolled hair fall is one of them — many people who have recovered from this disease complain of hair fall. Scientists are yet to determine the cause of such a phenomenon – whether it is a virus or the stress of living in an epidemic or a deficiency due to disease.

However, in the recovery period and even thereafter, it is important that we keep an eye on our nutrient needs and overall health to control phenomena such as hair loss. There are many nutrients that promote hair growth and prevent hair loss – biotin is one of them.

What is Biotin and how does it work?

Biotin is one of the B vitamins; It is also known as Vitamin B7. It is soluble in water and is the catalyst that converts certain nutrients into energy. Biotin stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth, and therefore plays a role in hair and nail health – a lack of enough biotin in your body can lead to hair loss or brittle nails. The biotin requirement in adults is around 30 mcg/day, while lactating women should take 35 mcg/day after consultation with a physician. While most of the requirements can be obtained from the food we eat, in people with biotin deficiency, taking over-the-counter supplements can help prevent hair loss after recovering from COVID.

food sources of biotin

Common sources of biotin in foods include egg yolks, organ meats such as liver or kidney, whole grains and cereals, almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts, and vegetables such as nut butter, cauliflower and mushrooms, soybeans and others. Legumes, and fruits such as bananas and raspberries.

Reduce stress to promote hair growth

According to dermatologists, the hair follicle cycle consists of three phases: growth, rest and shedding; It is normal for most people to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. However, there is usually a gap of two to three months between the stressful event and the onset of hair loss which can last as long as six to nine months. Pandemic-related stress, worry about contracting the virus, financial stress, worry for sick family members, social isolation and changes related to working from home and schooling, affect us significantly. It is important to calm the mind before starting any treatment for manifestations like hair loss.

Other uses of biotin

Biotin converts carbohydrates into energy and helps amino acids carry out normal bodily functions. It is also believed to be helpful in reducing inflammation, improving cognitive function, lowering blood sugar and HDL or good cholesterol in people with diabetes, and lowering LDL or bad cholesterol in our body.

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