You'll frequently see biotin supplements recommended for strengthening both hair and nails. It's found in hair formulations for topical use as well. Biotin is a B vitamin that serves as a coenzyme in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism in your body. Most people get adequate biotin intake from food, reports the University of Michigan. Bacteria in your gut also manufacture biotin. You'll find biotin in egg yolks, mushrooms, bananas, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, beans, sardines, organ meats and brewer's yeast.
Reverse Hair Loss
Taking a biotin supplement can help you reverse baldness or the hair loss known as alopecia. This will only work, however, if your hair loss is due to a biotin deficiency. Biotin helps your body produce keratin, the protein that hair is made of, says Ginger Garrett in "Beauty Secrets of the Bible."
Prevent Graying
Biotin helps to maintain your hair color. A biotin deficiency can lead to progressive loss of hair color, or graying hair, reports John D. Kirschmann in the "Nutrition Almanac." Biotin can be depleted in your body due to low-calorie diets; a malabsorption syndrome; from antibiotics like sulfonamides that decrease biotin production in your gut; or by ingesting a large amount of raw egg whites, which can prevent biotin absorption. The good news is that incorporating enough biotin in your diet can reverse the trend. The daily recommended intake for biotin is 30mcg daily.
Improved Hair Appearance
Gaining sufficient biotin will help you to keep a shiny and healthy head of hair. It can improve thin, brittle or splitting hair, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center---same goes for fingernails and toenails. Though it's a B vitamin, you'll sometimes see biotin referred to as vitamin H.
Combat Uncombable Hair Syndrome
Biotin can help to cure a condition known as uncombable hair syndrome, say W.B. Shelley and E.D. Shelley, authors of a case study published in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology." This condition is characterized by slow-growing, straw-colored hair that cannot be combed flat. Results don't show up overnight. The Shelleys noted significant improvement in strength and combability of hair after four months of taking biotin.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
- University of Michigan: Biotin
- "Beauty Secrets of the Bible"; Ginger Garrett; 2007
- "Nutrition Almanac"; John D. Kirschmann; 2006
- PubMed: "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; Uncombable Hair Syndrome; W.B. Shelley and E.D. Shelley; 1985
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