biotin Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: biotin

April 10, 2017

How Biotin Boosts Hair Health

biotin The vitamins, minerals and nutrients you consume each day largely influence your outward appearance. When it comes to hair health, biotin is (arguably) the most widely-known and promoted beauty-enhancing supplement. However, few people understand how exactly biotin interacts with hair follicles for increased shine, volume and strength.

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that facilitates cellular metabolism, or the conversion of macronutrients like proteins and fats into energy needed for your body to run. It also supplies healthy hormone production and blood sugar regulation. Referred also as vitamin H (for “hair and skin”), coenzyme R or vitamin B7, biotin is a dietary staple in all living things, from plants to people. Vitamin b7 doesn’t just affect your hair – it’s also known to improve nail strength and skin conditions, like acne, rashes and chronic dryness.

Foods Rich in Biotin

Vitamin B7 comes in two forms, either plant-based (alone) or meat-based (bound to proteins). Unlike protein-bound biotin, which takes more time to metabolize and convert for use, free biotin is easily absorbed. Although most foods contain trace amounts of b7, some are better sources of the hair-boosting vitamin than others:

Protein-bound biotin foods:

Organ meats, like kidneys and liver
Milk or dairy products
Seafood
Egg yolks

Free biotin foods:

Peanuts, walnuts and pecans
Legumes like green peas and lentils
Sunflower seeds
Cauliflower
Avocados
Rice bran, barley or oatmeal
Bananas
Carrots
Leafy greens
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Raspberries
Whole grain bread

B7 Recommendations and Deficiency

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the daily recommended minimum intake of biotin for healthy adults is 30 micrograms. But, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a higher daily allowance of 300 micrograms. Many nutritionists recommend staying on the higher end of the spectrum since vitamin b7 is water-soluble and is easily filtered by the kidneys.¹ Breastfeeding women need more b7 to deliver adequate nourishment to children.

While rare, biotin deficiency can be a serious problem during fetal development. Aside from possible birth defects, lack of vitamin b7 can lead to anemia, dry skin, appetite loss, fatigue, muscle aches, mental disorientation, brittle nails and hair loss. Since you’re likely getting some amount of biotin in your everyday diet, hair loss caused by lack of vitamin B7 alone is uncommon. Nutritional deficiencies can cause telogen effluvium (TE) – a temporary form of hair loss that occurs due to malnourishment, stress or trauma. TE usually involves a pattern of nutritional shortages, including iron, vitamin D, vitamin C and omega-3s.

B7 doesn’t just encourage healthy growth but may increase your mane’s overall volume and thickness. Simply taking supplements without a well-rounded diet won’t deliver any dramatic hair miracles, especially if you already suffer from a genetic hair loss condition. Eating foods that contain b7 and other healthy hair vitamins is the key to long, glossy locks in individuals with normal hair growth.

Lack of hair growth isn’t always about your diet, and we invite patients with thinning or shedding to visit our Miami hair loss clinic for a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint possible genetic causes and rule out any potential underlying illnesses. Once we’ve identified the cause of your hair loss, we provide effective treatment plans that best suit specific hair loss conditions, individual routines and a wide range of budgets.

To schedule your hair loss consultation, call the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami at 305-925-0222 today.

¹ http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/top-foods-high-biotin/

November 21, 2016

How Your Diet Encourages Hair Growth

Foods For Healthy Hair Physical characteristics, including hair, is often representative of your internal wellbeing. When you lack the nutrients necessary to keep your body performing properly, certain functions shut down. Patients suffering from temporary hair loss due a stressful event or dietary shift, a condition called telogen effluvium, should reevaluate their nutrition. All hair loss patients looking to stimulate regrowth can lead a healthier lifestyle to boost the effects of alternative restoration methods, such as surgery or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

If you tend to eat high amounts of empty calories (i.e. junk food) and now notice thinning or shedding, you’re likely missing these key nutrients:

Protein

Proteins and their amino acids are known as the building blocks of the body. Like their effects on muscles, proteins keep hair long, strong and soft. Protein-rich foods include chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products. Legumes and nuts are viable protein alternatives for individuals on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Try to allocate 30 percent of your caloric intake toward proteins for a well-balanced diet.

Omega-3

Unfortunately, the human body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own. We obtain these solely through food, which makes consuming substances rich in fatty acids essential to overall vigor. For hair health, these oils keep the scalp hydrated to stimulate follicle function while enriching strands for a shinier glow. Foods such as salmon, sardines, trout, avocado and pumpkin seeds are great resources for boosting your omega-3 intake.

Iron

Did you know lacking iron is one of the chief causes of dietary-related hair loss? Anemia, defined by insufficient iron levels in the body, is a serious problem that triggers hair loss. Low iron levels limit proper blood flow – something follicles need to receive growth-stimulating nutrients. Iron is found in red meats, fish, broccoli, kale, chicken and leafy greens.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C acts as a catalyst for iron to absorb into the blood stream. Eating these two hair boosting nutrients together fosters hair growth. In addition, the antioxidants found in Vitamin C, along with its collagen-boosting properties, keep skin, hair and nails looking and feeling nourished. Many refreshing fruits, such as oranges, strawberries and blueberries, contain high levels of Vitamin C necessary for hair growth.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E protects your skin and hair from environmental pollutants and sun damage. You can incorporate vitamin E into your diet by eating more almonds, spinach, avocados, sunflower seeds and butternut squash. Alternatively, you can apply vitamin E oil topically.

Biotin

You’re probably familiar with taking biotin supplements for healthy hair and nails. As a B vitamin, biotin helps strengthen locks to avoid breakage and fall. While supplements can easily up your biotin consumption, try incorporating egg yolks, yeast and whole grains for additional nutritive benefits.

Often, a dietary change isn’t enough to regrow lost locks. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering with hair loss. To schedule a consultation, call us directly at 877-443-9070.

November 23, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving from Miami Hair!

Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate the friends, family, and loved ones we cherish so dearly. It’s also a day to enjoy a cornucopia of warm, hearty, and delicious Thanksgiving foods. From everyone at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and the start of a warm holiday season.

When you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, take a look around the table, and see how many of the following healthy hair foods you can find. Be sure to enjoy a little bit of everything to give your hair and scalp the vitamins and minerals needed to look your best. And, of course, don’t forget dessert!

Best Thanksgiving Foods for Healthy Hair

Eggs

From egg bakes to soufflés and h’orderves, eggs are a big part of some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes. But did you also know that eggs are loaded with the building blocks of naturally thick and strong hair? Biotin, B vitamins, and protein are just a few of the nutrients found in eggs that promote fuller hair.

Greens

Some of the best foods for your hair also happen to be the simplest. Spinach, broccoli, and Swiss chard are among the best greens for stronger hair. This is thanks to their dense nutrient profile, high vitamin content, and strong antioxidant profile.

Sweet Potatoes

It’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving dinner without fresh baked sweet potatoes. Indulge in this Thanksgiving staple on Thursday night to get plenty of beta carotene and vitamin A, both of which are known to nourish the scalp.

Beans and Lentils

Lentils, kidney beans, lima beans, and other legumes are a great source of both iron and protein. Together, these essential building blocks help to build your hair’s natural strength and thickness.

Coconut Oil

Cooking with coconut oil this Thanksgiving? If so, you will enjoy the added benefits of vitamin K, E, and healthy fats known to improve hair texture and strength from the inside, out.

Get More Healthy Hair Tips

For more healthy hair tips, be sure to visit the Miami Hair Blog!

August 17, 2012

Foods for Healthy Hair

The nutrients in the foods we eat have a profound impact on the way we look and feel. When it comes to our scalp, there are a variety of nutrients that help to create and maintain healthy hair. These include macro nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are easy to find in the items at the local grocery store, farmer’s market, or vitamin shop. These foods for healthy hair set the stage for natural hair growth by promoting circulation, nutrient delivery, and follicular stimulation. In this article, we focus on the nutrients that fuel healthy hair growth, texture, and thickness. For specific foods, we invite you to reference our Healthy Hair Diet guide. There, you will find the top 5 all-natural foods for healthier hair.

Macro Nutrients for Healthy Hair

Protein. Hair is mostly composed of natural proteins, so it’s of little surprise that the first macro nutrient for healthy hair is lean protein. Eating a diet rich in protein may help to keep your hair looking and feeling its absolute best. Moreover, some sources of protein offer additional nutrients for healthy hair. For example, salmon is a lean protein and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, B-12 vitamins, and iron that help to fortify hair and regulate its growth.

Gluten Free Carbohydrates. Gluten is a protein found in most grains, oats, and barleys. An estimated 1 in 133 Americans has some sort of allergy to gluten that may adversely affect their ability to digest other nutrients. For example, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the cilia of the small intestine to become agitated and swollen when gluten is digested. This drastically inhibits the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

Going “gluten free” is easy, and some of the most delicious carbohydrates will still be on the menu. Corn, cornmeal, lentils, rice, and potatoes are just a few examples of the best gluten-free carbohydrates that will keep you full without the risk of agitating your digestive system.

Vitamins that Make Hair Grow

Vitamin E. Vitamin E is among the best nutrients for healthy hair. In some studies, this vitamin has been show to promote healthy blood circulation. Improved blood flow means enhanced nutrient delivery, especially to the scalp. In this way, vitamin E can help hair grow by promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery directly to the hair follicle.

Vitamin C. Like vitamin E, vitamin C promotes health circulation and is one of the best nutrients for healthy hair. Moreover, vitamin C is a powerful all-natural antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage. The sun is one of the most powerful sources of free radicals, making our hair particularly prone to free radical damage. Maintaining a diet rich in vitamin C will help ward off free radicals from the sun as well as other environmental stressors, helping to maintain healthy hair long into the future.

Biotin. Biotin is an essential vitamin for healthy hair, but not necessarily because it spurs growth. Instead, biotin helps to keep hair from becoming thin and frail. By improving the overall health of the hair, biotin helps to maintain a regular growth cycle with less risk of thinning, shedding, or loss.

Minerals for Hair

Zinc. Zinc promotes healthy hair by helping the body to balance hormone production and other cellular activities. Zinc also helps the body absorb vitamins, making this nutrient a must for healthy hair. Researchers also believe that zinc may help to curb the production of DHT, a synthesized version of testosterone that damages hair follicles and leads to shedding, thinning, and loss of hair.

Magnesium. Magnesium promotes healthy hair by helping to regulate a number of chemical processes in the body, including heart rate and muscle function. This mineral is critical for healthy hair growth, yet most individuals exhibit magnesium deficiency. To maintain a diet rich in magnesium, look for foods like fish (halibut), cashews, soybeans, almonds, and green vegetables like spinach.

Iron. Low iron levels may put an individual at risk for hair loss, but getting more iron is easy. Among the best sources of iron are whole eggs, liver, dried fruits, salmon, and legumes. Iron supplements are available as well, however one should always opt for natural food sources as they contain nutrients that are more easily ingested and utilized by the body.

Learn More About Hair Loss and Treatment Options

Making changes to diet and exercise regimen may not be enough to restore hair to its natural, youthful state. A number of other factors may impact the rate at which hair becomes thinner, begins to shed, or falls out entirely. Genetics, hormones, and prescription medications may each be causal factors. Readers are invited to visit the following free informational resources to learn more:

Hair Loss

Hair loss affects millions of men and women in the United States alone. Losing one’s hair does more than impact physical appearance. It may have a profound affect on professional, social, and personal relationships. Visit this section of our website to learn more about the cause, progression, and treatment of hair loss.

Hair Restoration

Never before have hair restoration technologies and procedures been more advanced and effective. From low level laser treatment (LLLT) to advanced follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a variety of options exist for effectively restoring the natural appearance of hair. Visit this section of Miamihair.com to learn more.

Hair Loss Evaluation

Are you a candidate for a hair loss procedure? Our clinic is home to the finest technicians, registered nurses, and hair transplant surgeons in Florida. Request an appointment online, or call our clinic directly at 1-877-443-9070.