There are several natural remedies for different medical problems, and many of them are scientifically supported by various studies, tests, and researches. One of these is biotin, and although it has not been proven yet for its treatment effects for alopecia or hair loss, it has been certified effective in the treatment of brittle nails.
Biotin is a member of the vitamin B complex, specifically as vitamin B7. It is a water-soluble vitamin which is used in many essential bodily processes like the synthesis of proteins, metabolism of oils, cholesterol, and sugars, and the transformation of carbohydrates and fats into energy. Without the vitamin, a lot of bodily functions would be impeded and the health would certainly deteriorate.
The vitamin is also associated with the health of the hair, skin, and nails. However, there are no scientific studies yet which have been performed that really shows the effectiveness of this vitamin with regards to the health of the said body parts. Still, there are a lot of manufacturers who sell these products and use the previously stated information as leverage and endorsements to gain better profit.
For the nails, though, biotin has had several tests which can actually exhibit its effectiveness. In one test with a set of test subjects with brittle fingernails, a group was given a daily supplemental dose of 2,500 micrograms of biotin and another group was given placebo. After several days, there have been significant improvements in the appearance as well as the thickness of the fingernails of the biotin group.
Through this study, it has been declared that biotin is a genuine treatment for brittle fingernails. There are also other studies which are used to prove that biotin is effective in treating and maintaining the health of the nails. Biotin deficiency is a health disorder which is characterized by the lack of the vitamin in the body. This is a very rare disorder since there are a lot of food sources with the vitamin and if an individual is regularly eating a well-balanced diet, it is certain that he has enough amounts of biotin in his body. But in the unusual cases of the vitamin deficiency, the symptoms shown include hair loss, dry skin, sebhorreic dermatitis, and brittle nails. Therefore, if the nails become brittle because of the lack of biotin, then the supplementation of biotin is a logical answer for the disorder.
Many biotin products are available in the market today and a lot of them are used for various purposes. In fact, most biotin products are in the form of oral supplements which are used for any disorder known to be curable by biotin supplementation, including brittle fingernails. Even if the problem is in the nails and a topical treatment is more practical to use, it is always advised to take biotin orally. The reason for this is that the vitamin is not easily absorbed by the skin. It cannot penetrate the skin deep enough to actually treat the underlying cause of the nail problem. But orally taking the supplement allows better internal absorption and the vitamin can act from inside out and eventually treat the nail problem.
If you have brittle fingernails and you want a good alternative solution for your problem, then the best answer you can find is biotin. It is a proven effective treatment for brittle fingernails and it is also a natural substance so it has no dangerous side effects. However, it is advised not to exceed the dose of 2,500 micrograms daily because the vitamin can create absorption problems related to other B vitamins, specifically vitamin B5. Nonetheless, it is an effective solution and you can definitely use it even just for maintaining the health and beauty of the nails.