Biotin for Treating Eczema & Dry Skin
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of dermatitis. It is often considered a “genetic” condition, however, this may not be the full truth. We know that stress, diet, and environmental factors are involved in its pathogenesis or development. People with eczema tend to have very dry and itchy skin that is more susceptible to infection. Dry skin is a common feature of poorly functioning skin. Therefore, restoring proper skin hydration is the most important part of treating eczema.
Using Biotin for Eczema & Dry Skin
People with eczema tend to have significantly lower biotin levels than people without eczema. This data suggests that a biotin deficiency is a probable contributing factor to eczema. This theoretically makes sense, when you consider the role of biotin in proper skin oiliness alongside the fact that eczema is a chronic dry skin condition.
Biotin is a water-soluble b-vitamin that has many important roles in human health. It acts as an essential cofactor for the production of enzymes that regulate fat metabolism. Without enough biotin, we can run into issues with proper fat production. This can result in dry skin that lacks proper oiliness.
The skin cells have a very high turnover rate, meaning that they are rapidly replaced. This is helpful considering the skin is in constant contact with the external environment. However, when the skin is lacking fat and water, it tends to become dry and less resilient to various stressors. One cause for this is low levels of biotin, which disturbs fat production in the skin tissue.
In fact, a biotin deficiency is known to cause dry, scaly, red and inflamed skin.
1 In infants, biotin deficiency is one of the major causes of “cradle cap”, which is a condition where the scalp becomes very dry and scaly. In adults, this condition is called “seborrheic dermatitis” and can manifest on any part of the skin. Additionally, a deficiency may also be the cause of dandruff.
Lastly, biotin is essential for the production of thyroid hormone (t4) and can lower TSH. This is important because the thyroid hormone is what regulates the sebaceous gland and when low, can result in dry skin.
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Correcting Eczema, Dry Skin & Biotin Deficiency
A true biotin deficiency is rare. However, it is easy to have inadequate or less than optimal levels of biotin, which can manifest as eczema and dry skin conditions. Therefore, consuming adequate amounts of biotin through diet and supplementation can help prevent and even treat these conditions.
Tips:
Don’t Eat Only Egg Whites
One easy way to cause a biotin deficiency is to consume only egg whites. There are two reasons for this: the first is that the egg yolk is what contains some of the highest levels of biotin. Another reason why consuming only egg whites causes a biotin deficiency is because the egg white contains a protein called “avidin”, which binds with biotin and prevents its absorption in the gut.
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If you suspect a biotin deficiency or you are suffering from dandruff, dry skin, or eczema then be sure to avoid eating only egg whites. Also, consuming a few egg yolks a day is a great way to get a high amount of bioavailable biotin.
Biotin-rich Foods
Other than avoiding causes of low biotin, consuming foods rich in biotin will obviously help restore adequate levels. That being said, some of the best sources of biotin other than egg yolks include grass-fed beef liver and non-fortified nutritional yeast.
Moisturize
Although eczema is a systemic condition involving low thyroid function and possibly low levels of biotin, properly moisturizing the skin can be helpful. We suggest trying our Body Lotion, Moisturizer, Night Cream or Gold Serum, all of which contain powerful antiinflammatory substances and fatty-acid rich oils that are soothing to the skin. These can bring immediate relief and nourishment while you correct the underlying imbalances.
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