Consuming foods rich in healthy vitamins and minerals will help with overall hair health. The best natural sources of biotin are meat, eggs, fish, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. These will help fortify your hair follicle by boosting your keratin, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Some of the best sources of biotin include legumes, egg yolks, organ meats, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, avocados, sweet potatoes, and yeast. Biotin supplements are available as well, but most people can get all of the biotin they need by eating a balanced diet.
Some fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains contain biotin. Eggs and some organ meats are good sources of biotin; many nuts, seeds, seafood, and lean meats contain biotin.
Biotin also promotes hair growth and regrowth in those who are experiencing hair thinning, hair loss, or are having it hard to grow out their hair. This process can take time with consuming the supplement daily for a period of 4-6 weeks minimum to a few months for optimal hair growth.
Though its use as a hair and nail growth supplement is prevalent, research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin is limited. In cases of acquired and inherited causes of biotin deficiency as well as pathologies, such as brittle nail syndrome or uncombable hair, biotin supplementation may be of benefit.
Increasing your intake of biotin may help make your hair stronger and more resistant to falling out. Biotin is a common over-the-counter supplement that is touted to promote healthy hair growth.
Vitamin B7 is found in a number of foods, though in small amounts. This includes walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, and egg yolks. Other foods that contain this vitamin are whole meal bread, salmon, pork, sardines, mushroom and cauliflower. Fruits that contain biotin include avocados, bananas and raspberries.
Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is the most common cause of biotin deficiency. BTD is a rare inherited disorder where the body is not able to use biotin and leads to biotin deficiency.
To maximize the intake of biotin and for safety reasons, always cook eggs before eating them. Raw egg white contains a protein called dietary avidin, which binds to biotin and makes it harder for the body to absorb it. Cooking separates the biotin from the avidin, helping the digestive tract to absorb the vitamin.
Active Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Fenugreek, Indigo Plant, Bhringaraja, Heart seed, Heart leaved moon seed, Datura, Sweet neem leaves, Aloevera, Gooseberry, Haritaki, Balearic, Coconut Milk, Coconut Oil.
If no home remedies work for your hair loss, use a daily biotin supplement for at least 6 months to start seeing results.
Egg yolks are also rich in B vitamins, especially biotin, with 10 mcg of biotin (33% DV) per whole egg. It's important to note that eggs must be cooked to capitalize on this biotin, as raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that interferes with biotin absorption.
Biotin deficiency can cause thinning hair and loss of body hair; a rash around the eyes, nose, mouth, and anal area; pinkeye; high levels of acid in the blood and urine; seizures; skin infection; brittle nails; and nervous system disorders.
Biotin supplements can cause problems if you take too much. Side effects of biotin can include: Trouble sleeping.
Biotinidase deficiency is treated with oral biotin (vitamin H; coenzyme R, part of vitamin B complex) supplements. Treatment should begin as soon as the diagnosis is made. With biotin treatment, symptoms of the disorder may disappear.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Carrots. Yes, they're a stellar source of biotin, but carrots have loads of other skin and hair benefits. “Beta-carotene [in carrots] works to counteract everything from dry skin, to dandruff, to wrinkle formation,” says Glassman.
So which supports hair growth more: collagen or biotin? Based on scientific studies, it seems that collagen has a better claim to improving the condition of your hair. However, both can actually be used together for well-rounded nutrition and countless health benefits, aside from promoting hair regrowth.
The bottom line. There's no strong evidence to support using biotin for hair growth or to prevent hair loss in people without a deficiency. Because hair thinning and poor hair growth are sometimes associated with a biotin deficiency, correcting a deficiency can help restore hair growth in some people.