Biotin forum

Customer question:

From which sources is the biotin in food supplements obtained? Anonymous customer's question

Pharmacist's answer:

A chemical process or microbial fermentation primarily synthesizes biotin in dietary supplements. This synthesized biotin is chemically identical to natural biotin and is widely used in dietary supplements due to its purity and unaltered quality.

Some biotin supplements are derived from biotin-producing bacteria or yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this method, these microorganisms are grown in large fermentation vessels. Once biotin is produced, it is then extracted and purified by biotechnologists for use in supplements.

While most commercial biotin supplements use synthesized or fermented biotin, the nutrient occurs naturally in various foods. These include liver, eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, dairy products, avocados and sweet potatoes. However, extracting biotin from these sources for high-concentration supplements would be inefficient and expensive and is, therefore, rarely practiced.

What are the vegan and vegetarian sources of biotin in the diet?

Vegans can obtain biotin from various plant-based foods:

• legumes
• nuts and seeds
• whole grains
• bananas
• mushrooms
• sweet potato
• spinach
• avocado
• cauliflower
• nutritional yeast
• rice bran

How to choose a quality shampoo with biotin?

Choosing a quality biotin shampoo involves consideration of formulation, brand reputation, and individual hair needs. Look for a shampoo that lists biotin among the first ingredients, which indicates a higher concentration. Avoid shampoos with sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate) if you want a gentler cleanse or have color-treated hair.

Biotin shampoos often contain other beneficial ingredients that support hair health, such as keratin, collagen, botanical extracts (such as ginseng, nettle, or saw palmetto), and essential oils. Choose reputable brands known for quality hair care products. Reading online reviews, consulting hairdressers, or looking for recommendations from friends can help you.

Consider your hair type (oily, dry, regular, curly, straight) and choose a biotin shampoo formulated for that hair type. Some shampoos can also be designed for specific problems, such as thinning or colored hair. Also, a pH-balanced shampoo will be gentler on your scalp and hair and help maintain the scalp's natural barrier.

Interesting reading: What is biotin?