Biotin is an essential vitamin that is more technically known as vitamin B7. As part of the B family of vitamins, Biotin has roles converting certain nutrients into energy, but it also has roles that are less expected from a B vitamin.

Biotin was originally found to be a vital component of hair, skin, and nails and it is clear that it can improve the infrastructure of keratin – the basic protein that makes up each of these. This simple mechanism by which biotin is able to improve the health and appearance of the hair, skin, and nails is supported by research.

Although full-blown biotin deficiency is rare, research has shown that supplementing with this B vitamin can bring a whole host of aesthetic and health benefits. One study found biotin supplementation to be an effective remedy when taken by women with brittle and splitting nails. Further studies have shown biotin can also produce noted improvements in hair growth and in preventing further loss of hair. Biotin also has a number of beneficial impacts on triglyceride levels, glucose metabolism, and general cardiovascular health.

There are a number of reasons why you can develop a functional deficiency of biotin including chronic alcohol consumption, certain drug therapies, and eating raw egg whites which block the absorption of biotin by the body. Biotin can be boosted in the diet by incorporating foods like organ meats, whole eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, certain veggies, and mushrooms. Although you can find it relatively easily from dietary sources, injections are an unsurpassed method of increasing biotin within the body to ensure that your hair, skin, and nails are never wanting for this crucial nutrient.