Biotin for Brittle Nails
There are few dietary supplements that have good science to support taking them. Biotin is a supplement that does and that I recommend.
Women often come to me complaining of weak, brittle fingernails: soft, thin nails that tear easily.
When the end of the nail splays or splits, it is called onychoschizia.
Taking 2.5 mg of biotin a day has been shown to be helpful for this condition. Biotin is found in many foods including egg yolks, yeast, wheat bran, and is actually synthesized in your large intestine by bacteria. Interestingly, raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds strongly to biotin and prevents its absorption. Yet another reason to skip the raw eggs for breakfast (unless you’re Rocky Balboa).
Deficiency of biotin is rare, but supplementing with 2.5 mg each day seems to be helpful for some people. Remember, it can take up to 6 months for your fingernails to grow, so the results of the biotin you start today won’t be apparent for another six months.
In addition:
- Minimize water exposure to your nails
- Use gloves when doing dishes, cleaning, and handling wet laundry (yes, I know it’s easy for me to say)
- Use alcohol gel sanitizers when possible
- Constant wetting and drying of your nails leads to dehydration that worsens weak, brittle nails
- Apply moisturizer, such as Eucerin Hand Creme, to your nails as well as your hands
- Use a moisturizer every time you wash your hands
I have a question. I have this one single place on a nail that pretty consistantly splits. It bugs me since I can grow my nails out nicely except for this. Any way I can fix it?
OK – I never believe this stuff, but Biotin really worked. After about 2 months I started seeing an improvement, and after 4 months I was very happy with fewer lines and cracks and thicker nails. Unfortunately, when I stop the Biotin, my nails quickly start returning to the way they were. I guess it’s Biotin for life for me. BTW – I had previously tried decolorized Iodine and Nail Strengthening Cream, and neither helped at all.
I have tried to grow my nails for years without success using nails strenghteners etc. after taking Biotin for 3 months I have no more broken or split nails its fantastic and so cheap. I am delighted with the result would not recommend anything else.
Does anyone know of a great product/ vitamin for thickening hair?
vitamins alone cannot work to their full potential. Vitamin/mineral supplements need to work with each other as they are litterally dependent on each other. I would suggest a recommended multivitamin, consider reading the nutrisearch comparitive guide to nutritional supplements, by lyle macwilliams. biotin alone is not responsible for healthy nails/hair. The multi i use is life force from source naturals. youll be doing your body good by using a multi and not just biotin. you can always supplement more biotin along with a multi.
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