What is the difference between biotin and b complex

However, a report published in the International Journal of Trichology in June notes that biotin is only effective in promoting hair growth in those with hair loss due to a biotin deficiency. The report did dig a little deeper, though, and found that about 38 percent of women who complained of thinning hair had a true biotin deficiency. Because of that, it would make sense that supplementing with biotin may be able to help a little more than one-third of people with hair loss.

But you don't need to double up on the dose to reap the benefits. If you want to supplement with biotin , you can choose either an individual biotin supplement or a B complex supplement that supplies enough biotin for the day. Read more: What is a Safe Dosage of Biotin?

A report that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in June also notes that taking too much biotin can interfere with certain lab test results. According to the report, excess biotin can cause false positives on tests that look for measures of heart injury and heart attack. This can lead to misinterpretations of results and recommendations for the wrong or unnecessary treatments.

If you take B complex and biotin together, you increase the probability that your body is getting too much biotin. The supplement industry is a booming one, with about half of the adult population or million Americans taking at least one supplement daily, according to Harvard Health.

A lot of supplements make big promises, but there's no real regulation on the industry, so it's important to use caution when choosing which supplements to take. If you want to up your biotin intake, talk to your doctor about which supplement is best for you. Or better yet, increase your intake of biotin-rich foods such as beef liver, salmon, pork, avocado, eggs, sweet potato, nuts and seeds. Nutrition Nutrition Basics Vitamins and Supplements.

Reviewed by Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. Sylvie Tremblay holds a Master of Science in molecular and cellular biology, and has years of experience as a cancer researcher and geneticist. Lindsay Boyers. Lindsay Boyers is a holistic nutritionist with a Bachelor's degree in food and nutrition and a certificate in holistic nutrition consulting.

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B vitamins are a group of nutrients that play many important roles in your body. In these circumstances, supplementing with B vitamins may be necessary. Nutritional supplements that contain all eight B vitamins are referred to as B-complex vitamins. What Are B-Complex Vitamins? Recommended Dosage. Pantothenic acid deficiency is very uncommon. When pantothenic acid does occur, it may cause symptoms such as numbness, fatigue, burning in the hands and feet, headache, sleep difficulties and gastrointestinal disturbances.

Like other B vitamin deficiencies, vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon and typically develops at the same time as issues related to other B-complex vitamins. When vitamin B6 deficiency occurs, it can cause symptoms such as dermatitis with cheilosis a form of scaling that affects the lips and corners of the mouth , a weakened immune system and psychological issues such as depression and confusion.

In fact, no cases of severe biotin deficiency have ever been reported in people that follow a balanced, normal diet. When biotin deficiency does occur, it often causes gradual hair thinning that can progress to a severe form of hair loss that affects the entire body.

It can also cause symptoms such as a scaly, red rash near body openings, conjunctivitis, skin infection, brittle nails and neurological issues such as lethargy, hallucinations and depression.

It can lead to a range of symptoms, including changes in skin, hair and fingernail color, shortness of breath, irritability, weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and heart palpitations. Vitamin B12 deficiency often occurs in vegetarians, as the only natural sources of vitamin B12 are animal foods such as meat and dairy.

It can also develop in older adults and people with conditions such as pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders. Common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, weight loss, tingling of the hands and feet, heart palpitations and glossitis inflammation of the tongue.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is also a common cause of a potentially serious condition called megaloblastic anemia. As we mentioned above, deficiencies of specific B vitamins are not very common, especially in otherwise healthy people.

When your body has more B vitamins than it can handle, it simply expels the rest through your urine. With this said, some B vitamins have been linked to health issues when consumed in excessive amounts. For example, extremely high intakes of vitamin B6 can cause nerve problems, including a loss of control over your bodily movements. High doses of niacin may lead to flushing of the skin, hypotension, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. Over the long term, excessive use of some vitamin B complex supplements could contribute to liver issues.

Anything you use on top of this would simply be money down the toilet -- in this case, literally. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. What We Treat. Sexual health. Mental Health. Top treatments.

We want you to walk away smarter. What Are B Vitamins? Thiamine Vitamin B1 Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is an important vitamin that plays a key role in converting nutrients into usable energy. Riboflavin Vitamin B2 Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is an essential component of two major coenzymes involved in cellular function, energy production and metabolism. Niacin Vitamin B3 Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that consists of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide and related forms of niacin, such as nicotinamide riboside.

NAD is a particularly important coenzyme for producing energy from the nutrients found in food.