Biotin: A Supplement For Healthy Hair & Nails

1 min

• Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a water-soluble nutrient necessary for several key metabolic functions.

  Biotin is a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions, and serious complications can result from biotin deficiency, including diseases of the skin, intestinal tract, and nervous system. Biotin plays a role in:

  1. Regulating blood glucose levels and may help in decreasing insulin resistance, the root issue in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
  2. Maintaining healthy hair and nails
  3. Possibly preventing birth defects.

  You can obtain biotin from foods including organ meats, barley, brewer’s yeast, egg yolks, milk, royal jelly, whole soy foods, and wheat bran. Avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, cheeses, chicken, fish, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, pork, potatoes, and spinach also provide biotin. Many of these foods are highly nutritious for a variety of reasons and are essential parts of my Anti-Inflammatory Pyramid.

  If you are supplementing biotin, know that studies have shown that taking biotin before blood testing can alter the accuracy of blood tests that measure thyroid function. Most providers recommend at least a 48 hour fast from biotin (also check your multivitamin or B complex) prior to drawing thyroid tests.

  Try these recipes that offer up B7:

   

  • Spicy Stir-Fried Tempeh With Basil
  • Broccoli Salad With Avocado

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