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Biotin: The Building Blocks for Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

When it comes to your appearance, skin, hair, and nails are often the first things to notice. So, of course, we do everything we can to keep them looking healthy, including creams, tonics, spa treatments...everything short of outright magic. But, have you considered upping your biotin intake? Read on to learn what biotin does, how it benefits you, and what you can do to get more of it in your diet.  

Biotin for Healthy Hair, Skin, Nails  

What is Biotin? 

To understand the benefits you can gain from biotin, it's essential to understand what it is. Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is one of the B-complex vitamins. This group of essential nutrients helps your body break down food into energy by converting carbohydrates to glucose and metabolizing fats and proteins. Without it, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates would simply run through you without offering many benefits.  

 

How Much Biotin Does Your Body Need? 

Because it's rare for someone to experience a lack of biotin, there isn't an official recommended dietary allowance. The generally agreed-upon daily amount of biotin for adolescents and adults is between 30 and 100 micrograms (mcg). Biotin is water-soluble, meaning your body doesn't store any excess amount. Extra biotin is eliminated from your body through urination.  

 

What Are The Benefits of Biotin? 

What makes biotin so crucial for your skin, hair, and nails? For starters, remember how biotin helps your body metabolize proteins? One of those proteins is a protective enzyme called keratin, which makes up the structure of your skin, hair, and nails. So, by increasing keratin production, you can maintain the strength of your skin, hair, and nails, and possibly prevent them from becoming brittle or dry.  

Multiple nutrients benefit your skin, hair, and nails. However, biotin helps your body absorb these nutrients more efficiently. 

Strengthening your hair has the added benefit of helping to prevent hair loss. As we age, our follicles become weaker and lose much of their structure. Biotin can help preserve your follicles, helping to make hair thicker and stronger. And that goes for eyelashes and eyebrows just as much as the hair on your head.  

Biotin has also been shown to support nail health, all thanks to the keratin that biotin helps your body produce.   

Biotin and Keratin for Healthy Nails

One of the most common problems associated with a vitamin H deficiency is dry, itchy skin. So it's best to keep those biotin levels high to avoid it.  

Finally, biotin is one of the B-Complex vitamins that your body relies upon to rebuild tissues that have broken down. Our skin cells don't last forever. Instead, they go through cycles of breakdown and regeneration. However, when cells break down faster than they regenerate, skin loses its elasticity and hydration, becoming dull, dry, and wrinkled. Biotin aids in the regeneration of skin tissue, keeping it looking as healthy as it can.  

 

Sources of Biotin 

You can find biotin in multiple food sources, making severe biotin deficiencies rare outside of medical conditions. However, increasing your biotin intake can help improve your overall health and appearance. So, you might as well boost your diet and consume more biotin-rich foods.  

 Biotin Rich Foods


Some of the best sources of biotin include:  

  • Eggs
  • Almonds
  • Salmon
  • Soybeans and other legumes
  • Bananas
  • Mushrooms
  • Organ meats (liver, kidney)
Because cooking can break down biotin's structure, it would be best to consume biotin-rich foods raw when possible. In addition, many excellent supplements can help you increase your biotin intake, such as our Great Lakes Wellness Daily Beauty Collagen which contains biotin, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to support healthy skin, hair, and nails*. It comes in a delicious raspberry lemonade flavor and dissolves quickly for a smooth taste.

Daily Beauty Collagen with Biotion
We believe healthy habits should begin with understanding what's best for your body. Biotin not only helps enhance the health of your skin, hair, and nails, but it also allows the efficient absorption of other nutrients that can do the same and more. Of course, you should consult with a physician before starting any supplementation routine.
  
Source: https://www.aad.org/dw/dw-insights-and-inquiries/archive/2021/biotin-supplementation-hair-nails 

 *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.