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How Do I Choose the Best Biotin Hair Vitamins?

J. Finnegan
J. Finnegan

Choosing the best biotin hair vitamins depends on your individual needs. Biotin supplements can come in standalone form or as part of a vitamin B complex. People who are interested in simple supplementation are likely to benefit from a B complex, and those who need to treat an illness or other health-related issue might prefer the higher dosage that's often found in the standalone biotin supplement.

People who have certain health conditions should carefully read the labels of any biotin hair vitamins before purchasing them. Diabetics should make sure that there are no sugars added. People who are allergic to wheat or dairy products should take care to find a brand of biotin hair vitamins that is allergen-free. Vegetarians should look for biotin hair vitamins that are labeled as vegetarian-friendly.

Egg yolks contain Vitamin H, which helps maintain healthy hair.
Egg yolks contain Vitamin H, which helps maintain healthy hair.

Biotin is a type of B vitamin and is also known as vitamin H and vitamin B7. It's water-soluble, meaning that it can dissolve in water. There are no known side effects of B7 supplementation even at high doses, so it is considered non-toxic. Clinical trials have tested the safety of daily doses as high as 600 micrograms. Therapeutic doses can be as high as 5,000 micrograms or even more, and they should be recommended and monitored by a medical professional.

Mushrooms contain Vitamin H, which may be more beneficial when ingested with food.
Mushrooms contain Vitamin H, which may be more beneficial when ingested with food.

It's generally accepted that the minimum daily requirement for adults is 30 micrograms. The minimum dose is the smallest essential amount needed to prevent disease. Vitamin B7 deficiency is very rare. Some of the symptoms of biotin deficiency include dermatitis, fatigue, depression, a tingling or numb feeling in the arms and legs and alopecia, which is the medical term for hair loss. Laypersons shouldn't attempt to self-diagnose, because any of the symptoms of B7 deficiency can be part of, or related to, a separate health problem that needs to be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.

Biotin is found naturally in foods like spinach.
Biotin is found naturally in foods like spinach.

Vitamin H plays a strong role in maintaining healthy fingernails and toenails as well as healthy hair. For this reason, it's found in many cosmetic products. Biotin isn't readily absorbed through skin and hair, however. Oral supplementation usually is of greater benefit to those seeking healthier hair and nails.

Intestinal bacteria produce vitamin H. It therefore is beneficial to maintain healthy intestinal flora. Vitamin H also can be found in foods such as brewer's yeast, bananas, mushrooms, legumes and egg yolk. Raw egg whites contain the chemical avidin, which binds biotin and makes it unusable. Cooking the egg white neutralizes the avidin but doesn't harm the biotin.

Discussion Comments

rachelsjulia

How does it really work for hair loss? And which is better -- Biotin or Nioxin? I just found Reloxe. It is also good in treating for hair loss.

bythewell

@browncoat - Well, even if they don't want to eat egg yolks people can still get biotin from other sources. One of the best ways to get it is to eat Swiss chard (also known as silver beet) and it's also in a few other kinds of vegetables.

I don't see anything wrong with taking supplements though.

The diet of the modern person is not ever going to be the same as that of ancient people, unless they make massive changes in their lives and I don't think we should have to do that.

So, why not use modern technology and medical knowledge to make sure that we can have all the vitamins we need without watching our diets constantly.

You can also get shampoos and conditioners that have biotin in them, but I'm not sure if it's as effective as getting biotin in your diet.

browncoat

Lots of people seem to think if they go on a diet that they really need to take the egg yolk out of their omelets and only use the egg white.

But, really, a whole egg is only about 75 calories in total and the yolk has so many vitamins, including biotin, I think it's really worth just eating the yolk.

I reckon those women who stick to an egg whites only diet might be the ones who end up with biotin deficiency and dull hair in the first place.

I mean, you can take supplements, but I think it's always better to try and get vitamins from natural sources, rather than making up for a poor diet after the fact.

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    • Egg yolks contain Vitamin H, which helps maintain healthy hair.
      By: andrewsproule
      Egg yolks contain Vitamin H, which helps maintain healthy hair.
    • Mushrooms contain Vitamin H, which may be more beneficial when ingested with food.
      By: Pax
      Mushrooms contain Vitamin H, which may be more beneficial when ingested with food.
    • Biotin is found naturally in foods like spinach.
      By: nito
      Biotin is found naturally in foods like spinach.
    • Taking biotin vitamins for hair may help promote hair growth and fight hair loss.
      By: maska82
      Taking biotin vitamins for hair may help promote hair growth and fight hair loss.
    • Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an ingredient in B-complex supplements.
      By: Nenov Brothers
      Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is an ingredient in B-complex supplements.
    • Biotin supplements may be part of a vitamin B complex.
      By: monticellllo
      Biotin supplements may be part of a vitamin B complex.
    • Bloodwork may be used to diagnose a vitamin deficiency in an individual.
      By: Boggy
      Bloodwork may be used to diagnose a vitamin deficiency in an individual.
    • Biotin hair vitamins may not help those who have hair loss due to cancer treatment or other conditions.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Biotin hair vitamins may not help those who have hair loss due to cancer treatment or other conditions.